2.3 A sudden change (part 2)

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2.3 A sudden change

At the end of this lesson...

• You will be able to explain Thorbecke's changes to the constitution.  

What do you remember from the last lesson?

Thorbecke

• The king is scared of a revolution
• So Johan Rudolf Thorbecke revises the constitution in 1848.

What stays the same?

• There will be one king.
• There will be one government. 
• There will be one parliament. 

What changes?

• The king has less power! 

Second Chamber

• Is now chosen by the people! 
• Well...
• Every man from their 23rd birthday onward and who pays enough taxes.

Power

• The representatives are given legislative power.  
• They have the right to initiate bills and are allowed to amend bills.
• Before 1848: only the king was allowed to do so.
• First chamber: becomes less powerful and are chosen by the provinces. 

Government

• Before 1848: the government only had to answer to the king. 
• After 1848: the government has to answer to parliament.
• They can only do something if the majority of parliament votes yes.

The king

• The king's power has diminished, but he has become inviolable. He cannot be touched!

• The government is now responsible for his behaviour: ministerial responsibility

And?

• The Netherlands has become a parliamentary, constitutional monarchy.
• Thorbecke's revision is seen as the basic principle of our modern government
• In 1849 William II dies and is succeeded by his son William III. 

Homework

Paragraph 2.3 exercise 7 to 13