What would a 2nd Stuart Restoration mean to English domestic and foreign policy?

Let's say it takes place before 1720, before the post-Stuart settlement gets a chance to actually settle. Would England's emerging democracy be wiped away in favor of an absolute-ish monarchy? Would the country align itself with France in the international arena?
 

Thande

Donor
I think the Stuarts would have to compromise with the Parliamentary settlement. They still had a fair number of at least lukewarm Tory supporters at that point who had been shut out of the political system by the Hanoverians and the Whig dominance.

The Stuarts would probably shift the country over to a more pro-French geopolitical alignment, although this would only last until their position was secure I think. Still, the colonial wars of the 18th century are such an important pivot of history that even Britain going pro-French from, say, 1720-1760 (either as an ally or just a French-friendly neutral) would have vast repercussions on world history.

I have a feeling a canny Stuart monarchy, if in touch with public opinion, would set up policies similar to those of the Wettin electors in Saxony--where the Royal Family is Catholic but backs up a strict enforcement of the established Protestant church on the rest of the populace.
 
I doubt very much it would be an absolute monarchy. It would certainly be a less dis-interested monarchy than we got with George I, but the restored Stuarts are going to have to compromise with a variety of politicial forces in their newly restored kingdoms.

If Charles Edward Stuart acceeds to the throne after his father, there's a not inconsiderable chance that he might convert to Protestantism at some point. He was a religious pragmatist, far moreso than James Francis Edward or his grandfather James VII. A Protestant Stuart line is far from out of the question, though it does rather depend on where Charles finds his spouse.

You can also expect an early end to the union - it was one of the platforms a Stuart Restoration was built on. While Scotland will be definitively in England's orbit, it will still have its own parliament.

Stuart England will be aligned with France, provided the French don't do anything to upset the Stuarts. Eventually, though, a peace is untennable, and the two will find interests clashing in a number of spheres. In the short term, though, the French have a much less implacable foe to their north.
 
If the Stuarts converting to the Anglican faith had been possible then a second Stuart restoration would have been fact, not theory.

It was also too late after the Hanoverians had taken the throne, one reason the last monarch before the Hanoverians was so frantic to make the Stuarts finally see reason.
 
As long as the Old Pretender is around you aren't going to get a Conversion and by 1766 when he dies it's far too late. As others have said in the short term a lopsided alliance with France that could have some pretty huge consequences, in the long term a return to the traditional enmity but possibly with France in a stronger position.
 
Assuming that a country that has become very anti-Catholic and anti-French (OK so it's always been anti-French) would except a King who is both Catholic and pro-French it would mean no French Indian war (so USA would not come into existance) and India would be a nation divided.

I can see the King having to adopt anti-Catholic policies, and we may have a revolution because of it.
 
Let's say it takes place before 1720, before the post-Stuart settlement gets a chance to actually settle. Would England's emerging democracy be wiped away in favor of an absolute-ish monarchy? Would the country align itself with France in the international arena?

I think it is quite likely that England may have an edict of Nantes like law after Stuart restoration..
 
There would be some sort of Parliamentary Settlement as 1689 has already happened, without two disinterested Hannoverians, the devolution of power into Parliamentary hands won't be so quick. It'll happen over the 18th century slowly; even with the Hannoverians it took until Victoria for her position to be weakened, as Melbourne, in Parliamentary interests, informed her of what her rights were and she listened, compared to meddling George IV and William, both of whom paid little mind to Parliamentary majorities and appointed who they wished even if Parliament opposed.

But the crown would be in a strong position; I wouldn't say an absolute monarchy, but a sort of pseudo-absolute state in that Parliament is necessary will continue to exist and sit, but the King's will still be able to play a vital role; much like George III did, I imagine the Stuarts playing a role in rewarding supporters with bribes and gifts and being able to bring down bills or even governments with enough opposition.

The crown may be considerably poorer though, as we may see no Civil List as we know it. It was created for George III in exchange for giving up the hereditary crown lands. I've always imagined a restored Stuart Monarchy reviving the Star Chamber to act as a strong arm to remove from the teeth from Parliament as well.

In terms of foreign policy, definitely pro-French. I agree with Thande and these restored Stuarts would abandon the hopes of Charles II and James II for religious toleration for Catholics. Protestant Dissenters received toleration in '89, but I imagine as Thande said the Stuarts will laud the Established Church and hold it up on an altar: one they don't pray at, but one which they respect as the Establish Religion in Britain. I imagine if we see a religious reawakening in the 1720s as IOTL, the Methodists may have an interesting time if the monarchy is hostile towards them.

With the American colonies, I don't see any change from the benign neglect. James II's centralist attempts were unpopular and I don't see them being revived. Being neutral or friendly with France will also reduce the need for defense expenditure, although I'm sure colonists will still distrust the French. They'll probably still be upset if, say, Paris leans on London to stop illegal settlement in French Louisiana. A sort of royal proclamation line, but not exactly.
 
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