1649-1658 Flashcards
1
Q
Following Charles’ execution, what happened to the MPs who had been excluded during Pride’s Purge? (2)
A
- From February 1649, they were allowed to return to Parliament
- ->Between 100 & 140 did so over the next few months (outnumbering the 70 revolutionaries)
2
Q
What was the impact of allowing Presbyterian MPs back to parliament following Charles’ execution?
A
The 100-140 that returned outnumbered the 70 revolutionaries lessening the radical aspects of the Parliament and adding conservative and factional aspects
3
Q
What legislation was passed following Charles’ execution? (3)
A
March 17- Act abolishing the Monarchy
March 19- Act abolishing the House of Lords
May 19- Act declaring England a Commonwealth
–> Took over a month to introduce any constitutional reform: highlighting a lack of direction and purpose amongst Parliament
4
Q
What happened to the Privy Council following the Regicide? (3)
A
- It was replaced by a Council of State
- Elected annually by the Rump Parliament
- Would consist of 41 individuals
5
Q
What was the makeup of the first Council of State? What implications did this have on English government? (3+1)
A
34 MPs and 5 peers
14 of the Council were regicides
Only 19 out of 41 took the Engagement
Mix of different ideological and religious views limited the effectiveness of the council
6
Q
When and what was the Oath of Engagement? (3)
A
January 2, 1650
- An oath indicating the subscriber would be true and faithful to the Commonwealth of England
- Used to develop a sense of commitment to the regime and highlight any serious opposition
7
Q
What opposition was there from the Army following the regicide? (2)
A
- The Rump did not get around to paying the soldiers arrears until 1650 so many mutinied at their conditions
- In London, one soldier, Robert Lockyer, was shot and in Burford, three mutineers were shot
8
Q
What opposition was there from the levellers following the Regicide? (3)
A
- Levellers were angry that the Rump was not dissolving to establish fresh democratic elections
- Feb 1649, Lilburne published ‘England’s New Chains Discovered’ and Overton published a similar pamphlet, ‘The Hunting of the Foxes’
- A third version of the Agreement of the People was published in May 1649
9
Q
How did the Leveller opposition start to fall apart following the Regicide? (4)
A
- Leveller leader, William Thompson was shot at a rising in Oxfordshire
- Lilburne, Overton and two other civilian Levellers were imprisoned in the Tower of London
- -> Lilburne was brought to trial on account of treason but was acquitted and the other three were freed after taking the Engagement Oath
- Levellers were outflanked by more radical left groups, such as the ranters, quakers, Diggers etc.
10
Q
What were the series of events in Cromwell’s Irish expedition?
A
- Summer 1649: 20,000 troops sent to Ireland with Cromwell and Ireton
- Victory at Drogheda 11 September, killed 3000 including 1000 civilians
- Victory at Drogheda 11 October, Irish force surrendered but some 2000 were massacred in cold blood
11
Q
When and what was the Battle of Rathmines? (3)
A
2 August 1649
- 5000 Parliamentarian Army vs 11,000 Royalist Army
- Decisive Parliamentary victory
- under 100 Parliamentarian losses vs 25000 Royalist casualties and 1000 prisoners
12
Q
What was the impact of the Battle of Rathmines?
A
Forced Royalists to flee Dublin, allowing Cromwell to land there –> He would never have been able to set port in Ireland without this
–> Hence allowed the Cromwellian conquest of Ireland to occur
13
Q
Arguments for Cromwell committing atrocities in Ireland? (3)
A
- Killed 1000 Civilians at Drogheda
- Slaughtered 2000 at Wexford in cold blood after they had surrendered
- Cromwell was known to have seen the Irish as sub-human and was known to want retribution for the Protestant massacres of 1641
14
Q
Arguments against Cromwell committing atrocities in Ireland?
A
- No woman or children were killed
- At Drogheda, he was acting within the laws of war at the time as the Irish had refused the offer of quarter
- Cromwell’s harsh actions limited further bloodshed down the line and discouraged future revolt
15
Q
How did the Scots respond to the regicide? (2)
A
- Furious that the English had executed their king
- June 1650, in return for agreeing to erect a fully Presbyterian church in England, Charles II was coronated King Charles II and was provided an army to invade England
16
Q
What was Cromwell’s policy towards Scotland? (3)
A
- Rather than wait until the Scots invaded England, he led a force of 15,000 into Scotland
- At Dunbar (September 3 1650), despite being outnumbered two to one, he won a great victory
- -> 3000 Scots were killed whilst only 20 English died
17
Q
How was a union formed between England & Scotland? (2)
A
- Scottish invasion was destroyed at Worcester (September 3 1651) and Charles II fled to the European continent
- The Tender of Union in 1651 marked the union of England and Scotland under the Commonwealth of Great Britain
18
Q
What were some of the religious acts passed by the Rump in the Spring and Summer of 1650? (3)
A
- Act against Sins of Swearing and Cursing
- Act for the Propagation of the Gospel in Wales
- Act for Suppressing the Detestable Sins of Incest, Adultery and Fornication
19
Q
When and what was the Toleration Act? (3)
A
- September 1650
- Abolished the need for people to attend church so long as they went to some form of religious service each week
- -> Encouraged religious freedom
20
Q
What legislation did the Rump pass in regards to the poor? (3)
A
- September 1649
- Act for the Relief of Poor Debtors
- Ended imprisonment for debtors who had less than £5
21
Q
What legal reform did the Rump make? (5)
A
- December 1651
- Changed legal proceedings from Norman French to English
- Set up the Hale Commission to look at Law reform
- -> Met three times a week until July 1652
- -> Made no changes based on recommendations from the Hale Commission
22
Q
Evidence for the failure of the Rump Parliament? (4)
A
- None of the Hale Commissions recommendations were set in law
- In 1649, it passed 125 Acts; By 1652, it passed merely 51 acts per year
- Despite an act in November 1651, the Rump failed to dissolve itself by the set date of 3 November 1654
- Stalled over Hale Commission and Owen Scheme
23
Q
What was the level of taxation under the Rump Parliament?
A
December 1652, raised the Monthly Assessment from £90,000 to £120,000 (equivalent of 24 pre-war parliamentary subsidies) to maintain wars with Ireland, Scotland and the Dutch
24
Q
When and what was the Navigation Act?
A
- 9 October 1651
- An Act stating that non-English ships could only enter English ports if they carried goods from their own country
25
What was the impact of the Navigation Act? (3)
- Hit Dutch fleets hard as their vessels carried more foreign goods than goods from their own country
- Royalist sympathies of Dutch Sailors meant that they refused the English demand of saluting their flag on English ships
- The tensions between the two fleets led to a clash on the Channel- an event which started a two year war.
26
When and how was the Rump Parliament dissolved?
20 April 1653
| Cromwell and 30 soldiers entered the House of Commons and ordered the dissolution of Parliament
27
Evidence of International opposition to the Rump & Commonwealth? (6)
- Dutch war with England
- Ambassadors of the regime were assassinated by Royalist refugees in Spain & Holland, whose rulers failed to meet the commonwealth's demands that they bring the perpetrators to account
- William of Orange sought allegiance with Charles II and France against the Rump and also to enforce his own position in Holland where a Republican Party was developing
- French piratical attacks on English merchant ships
- French and Portgual allied fleet commanded by Prince Rupert
- Ormond singed a treaty with the Catholic Confederates a fortnight before his execution which raised the prospect of combined action
28
What was the result of Parliamentarian victory in Ireland? (3)
- Ormond was excommunicated by Catholic Bishops in the winter of 1650
- Victorious troops massacred the Irish, brought disease, starvation and was estimated to have wiped out 1/5 of the Irish population
29
Evidence of the panic caused by radical left wing groups, such as the Quakers?
- 1656: James Nayler, a leader of the Quakers was brought before parliament on the charge of blasphemy after riding into Bristol on a donkey in imitation of Christ's entry into Jerusalem
- -> Despite Cromwell's calls for religious toleration, he feared the unrest events like this would cause and so authorised severe physical punishment such cutting a hole through his tongue
30
How did the Rump attempt to create a sense of legitimacy and authority? (4)
- Requested recognition from international powers, which it got from nations such as the United Provinces
- Issued the Oath of Engagement in Jan 1651
- Drew heavily upon Thomas Hobbes' 'Leviathan' in 1651, insisting that subjects owe obedience to any government, good or bad, that offers them protection
- Milton wrote a latin vindication of the regicide, 'Defensio' in 1651, which echoed across Europe
31
How did Cromwell gain further power over the Army?
- Fairfax resigned in 1650 in the face of what he saw as the unjustified invasion of Scotland
- -> He was replaced by Cromwell
32
Evidence of Cromwellian suppression of opposition? (7)
-Intelligence system established under the Rump by MP Thomas Scot and later developed by John Thurloe, Cromwell's secretary of state
- 1655 Appointment of Major Generals of County Militias set up effective military controls of the County
- -> Resulted in the disarmament of all known Royalist whilst 14,000 suspects and all their male servants were ordered to post bonds for good behaviour
- Purge of county JPs- over 2/3 replaced
- Prominent Royalists, such as Earls of Holland and Derby were executed
- September 1652 Act of Settlement made more than 100,000 Irish Catholics liable to the death sentence
- 'Commission of Triers' established to screen applicants for clergy appointments --> Resulted in the ejection of 130 ministers (roughly 2% of the total)
- National Register office set up to follow the movements of all Royalists
33
What was the Owen Scheme?
Religious reform based on joint control of Church from state and clergy and religious toleration only under this umbrella
-> For example, he opposed the radical religious groups, such as the ranters, quakers and diggers etc.
34
How were Scotland and Ireland integrated with England?
- Both were incorporated into the English Commonwealth under the 1651 'Tender Union'
- 30 MPs for Scotland and 30 for Ireland would be represented in English Parliament in the 1650s
35
What were the attempts for an English and Dutch Union?
- Early in 1651, an embassy led by Oliver St. John carried a proposal for a Union of the English Republic and the newly liberated Netherlands
- -> They could share military, naval and commercial resources that would defy any monarch
--> When the Dutch refused, St John returned to England and encouraged Parliament to pass the Navigation Act
36
What was the purpose of the Navigation Act? (2)
- To stifle their commercial competitor, the Netherlands for international trading supremacy
- The upcoming merchant class- who had previously been stifled by state backed monopolies, such as the Levant and East India Companies- had close connections with the Rump and would benefit strongly from the Navigation Act (eg. Maurice Thomson)
37
What was the Rump Parliament's policy on commercial interests?
- Navigation Act improved their own trade at the expense of the international community
- 1650 Set up a council to foster new initiatives in trade and manufacture
- Passed legislation to cripple the trade of those English colonies in North America and the Caribbean where Royalists were obstructing the acceptance of the new regime
38
How did the Rump impact the Navy? (5)
- The royalist factions that divided the Navy in 1648 were eliminated --> 1649 the control of the navy was transferred to a committee of radical MPs who oversaw a flurry of administrative reform
- During the Rump's rule, a massive programme of ship building in the dockyards of Kent nearly quadrupled the number of the state's warships --> Gave England unrivalled naval force and allowed the enforcement of the Navigation Act
- In 1650, a Commonwealth fleet under Admiral Blake attacked and destroyed the nation's returning Brazilian fleet as it entered the River Tagus, thus ending their allegiance to Rupert
- Blake also destroyed a French fleet that was besieging the Spanish-controlled port of Dunkirk
- Naval expedition to the New World under Sir George Ayscue 1651-1652 brought both Virginia and Barbados under Parliamentary control after it had been under Royalists
39
What was the impact of the regicide on the colonies?
- Loosened the ties between England and it's colonies, which neither Parliament nor the Royalists could afford to maintain
- Divisions between Royalists & Parliamentarians extended to battles over the colonies
- End of Laudianism stopped the flow of emigration to the New World and so widened the divides between the colonies and England
40
What was Cromwell's view on the Anglo-Dutch war? How did it impact his ideological policy? (1+2)
-He held the conventional Puritan preference for a Protestant alliance and regretted the Anglo-Dutch war
-Forced to make a number of ideological compromises:
The expense of the War was largely financed by further sequestration of Royalist land, damaging his desired process of 'Healing' (eg. Number of Royalists named 'Malignants' and properties to be sold increased from 73 to 780)
-Focusing on this war and the conquests of Scotland and Ireland had led to a lack of progress with ideological & religious legislation
41
What happened to the army under the Rump? (3)
- Had increased to 70,000 men
- 3x the size of the NMA in 1648 and 6x the size of the army in the First Civil War
- -> Everyone in government agreed that this number had to be reduced but even the prospect of partial disbandment brought unrest to the army and fears of parliamentary treatment from 1647
42
Why did Cromwell disband the Rump? (4)
- Lack of policy driven through
- Fears of self interest eg. not dissolving when agreed and stalling on discussions of Biennial government & Sept 1652 Act of Settlement saw the redistribution of much Irish Land to Rumpers
- Harsh taxation and difficult financial situation for many
- The fresh elections brought in would allow Presbyterians to be elected at the expense of radicals and Cromwell felt that any possibility at a godly reformation would be lost
43
Why did many noblemen and upper class dislike the Rump? (3)
- Execution of Charles and the abolition of the House of Lords damaged the political influence of many
- Purge of parliament and administrative reform led to downward social trend of those in positions of power
- The creation of counties controlled by Militia Commissioners as part of an Act in 1650 alienated the traditional elite
44
When and what was the Rump's vote to dissolve itself?
6 September 1651- voted by 33 votes to 26 to create a bill to set a date for its own dissolution
14 November 1651- Again voted that it would now pass a bill setting a date of its dissolution: won by 49 votes to 47
18 November 1651- Agreed to set the date as 3 November 1654
45
What was the impact of the Rump's vote to dissolve itself in the future? (2)
- The closeness of the vote (33 vs 26 and then 49 vs 47) showed it was a contentious issue within Parliament
- The date set (3 November 1654) was three years into the future and meant that many members would have held their seats unchallenged for fourteen years and was disliked by many who wanted a chance to elect their representatives following the regicide
46
When and what was the Act of Oblivion?
- February 1652
| - Gave general indemnity to all soldiers for actions committed during the Civil Wars
47
When and what were the County Militias? (4)
- Set up in Autumn 1655/ closed down in December 1657
- Implemented commissioners of the new county militias of 6000 men split into 12 county associations
- -> These led to a semi-military system of regional government in England and Wales under Major-Generals
- -> Aimed to clamp down on Royalists and other form of opposition, to promote godly reformation and to raise new cavalry militia
48
What was the state of the economy under the Rump? (4)
- Government falling into debt: Parliament had accrued a £3million deficit over the War years
- Army costed £110,000/month and there was a £31,000 monthly deficit on the army bill
- Monthly Assessment forced to rise to £120,000/month but less coming in from localities
- Coal ships had been plundered by Dutch fleets on the Yorkshire coast for many weeks --> Many homes went unheated over the winter of 1652 and cooks and brewers shut their shops as they could not fire their ovens
49
When and what was the Barebones' Parliament? (3)
- Created July 4, 1653
- A parliament nominated by Churches and the Army made up of 140 godly men, including 6 representatives of Ireland and 5 of Scotland
- Followed the failure and dissolution of the Rump Parliament
50
What was the composition of the Barebones' Parliament? (3)
- Made up 140 Godly men, elected by churches and the Army Council
- Based on the Jewish Sanhedrin of Jerusalem
- Contained a strong 'Fifth Monarchist' section, such as Praise-God Barebone
51
What did Cromwell do after the dissolution of the Rump Parliament? (2)
- Created a new Council of State composed of 10 men rather than the previous 41: 7 military men and 3 civilians
- Created a Nominated Assembly comprised of 140 Godly men
52
What was the role of Praise-God Barebone in the 'Barebones' Parliament'? (3)
He held no position of authority in the Assembly
- -> Perpetuates the view that the assembly was made up of religious radicals from the lower classes
- -> In reality, it contained relatively few religious radicals and at least 4/5ths were ranked gentlemen
53
What important legislation did the Barebones' Parliament pass? (4)
- The Establishment of Civil Marriages, to be performed by JPs rather than Clerics
- Protection for Lunatics and their estates
- Relief of impoverished debtors and creditors
- Abolition of the tyrannical Court of Chancery
54
Why was the Barebones' Parliament able to pass radical reform despite a majority conservative faction?
-The radical elements attended far more regularly (6 days/week) and arrived early to discuss policy (8am)
55
How many acts had Barebones' Parliament passed by the end of it's term (December 1653)?
More than 30
| --> Signs of optimism for the parliament
56
Why did Conservatives become concerned in the Barebones' Parliament?
10 December 1653, radicals managed to overturn a committee's report in favour of retaining tithes
--> Many of the conservatives benefited from impropriated tithes and feared social disruption
57
How did the Conservatives respond to their fears over radicals activity in the Barebones' Parliament?
Early on 12th December 1653, whilst the Radicals were praying, they voted to return Cromwell to power and dissolve the Parliament
58
Why did Cromwell see the Barebones' Parliament as a failure?
Cromwell described the Barebones' Parliament as something to "win the people to the interest of Jesus Christ and the love of godliness". Therefore, its failure marked a turning point for the Cromwell who turned away from Godly reform to focusing on "healing and settling"
59
Evidence of Cromwell's optimism at the opening of the Barebones' parliament
Addressed it's opening in highly optimistic fashion, claiming that "truly god hath called you to this work... We are at a threshold"
--> He hoped it could be part of the radical godly reformation he had always hoped for
60
What alternatives did Cromwell have to setting up the Barebones' Parliament following the dissolution of the Rump? What does this show about Cromwell's intentions? (2+1)
- Cromwell could have taken power for himself
- John Lambert suggested an army-led council of state with a view to eventual elections
--> Cromwell's decision displays his lack of interest in personal ambition or gain and his desire for a godly republic
61
What fundamental issues impacted the Barebones' Parliaments ability to rule? (3)
- Many of its aims were impractical idealistic- millenarian expectations were high (eg. Cromwell's opening speech) and the majority of the country were not interested in Cromwell's godly reform
- Lack of unity between radicals and conservatives
- Lack of sense of direction following the regicide
62
Why did Cromwell reject Harrison's idea of a military Council and go with the Nominated Assembly instead? (2)
- Fiercely attempted to distance himself from any image of a military dictatorship or personal ambition (already had distanced himself from Pride's Purge by not arriving in London until after it was over)
- Free elections would inevitably have resulted in a large anti-army majority and hence the collapse of the possibility of reform forever
63
How did the composition of the Barebones' parliament in reality contradict its religious image? (3)
-Churches recommended only 15 of the 144 members of the Barebones' Parliament --> The selection process was kept strictly in the hands of the Council of Officers
-Few of the members came from lowly backgrounds:
60 had been educated at a university or Inn of Court
15 were barristers
119 were JPs (of which 89 had been JPs before 1650)
- Only 13 5th Monarchists in Barebones and many of them (including Barebones and Harrison played a small part)
- -> Most were moderate conservatives
64
What was Cromwell's policy on Jews?
In October 1650, he got himself onto a committee to negotiate the readmission of the Jews to England with Mansseh Ben Israel, a leader of the Jewish Community in Amsterdam.
- -> He was sympathetic to the Jews as God's chosen people
- ->Saw the potential contribution that Jewish financiers and merchants could make to English economic well-being
65
What specific polices from the Rump angered Cromwell? (3)
- Increase in persecuted Royalists from 73 to 780
- Rump turned a deaf ear to his plea to extend the evangelising mission from just Wales to the rest of England
- They refused to seek an alternative to tithes
66
Evidence that Cromwell wanted the Rump to survive? (2)
- He gave it a long time to attempt to implement his desired policy
- During the Winter of 1652, Cromwell convened 12 informal meetings of leading officers and MPs to discuss the efficiency of the Rump
67
Why did the general population oppose the Barebones' Parliament? (4)
- Radical religious reform was not part of the majority's plan
- The abolition of tithes harmed landowner who were able to claim 1/3 of the 10% income tax
- The Excise Tax was renewed
- The bill for the abolition of Chancery alienated conservative opinion
68
When and what was the Instrument of Government?
15 December 1653
John Lamber had been working on a new constitution since October with a limited form of monarchy, similar to the Heads of Proposals
-->Cromwell was to be this monarch
69
Evidence of popular support upon the fall of the Barebones' Parliament?
-Celebratory bonfires in London upon the announcement of its fall
70
What was the stance of the Instrument of Government on it's leader? (2)
Cromwell was to be the 'Lord Protector'
--> He abhorred the name of King
-Upon his death, he successor would be decided by the Council of State
71
What was the stance of the Instrument of Government on its franchise? (3)
- Parliaments were to be summoned at three year intervals
- Otherwise, anyone with land or goods worth £200 or more could vote
- Scotland & Ireland were offered 30 seats each in addition to the 400 for England, Wales & the Channel Islands
72
What was the stance of the Instrument of Government on the army?
Guaranteed standing army of 30,000 men
73
What was the stance of the Instrument of Government on legislation? (2)
- Parliamentary legislation could become law even without the protector's approval
- Protector could veto legislation that conflicted the Instrument
74
What was the stance of the Instrument of Government on advisors? (2)
- Council of state limited Protector's authority far more than the pre-war privy council had of the King
- Power of appointing councillors was shared between Parliament & protector
75
What was the stance of the Instrument of Government on religion? (3)
- Christianity to be public religion
- Everyone offered freedom to worship as they wish
- -> This did not extend to Anglicanism or Papism
76
What were the issues over the direction of the Rump? (4)
- Only 15% of the Rump could be labelled as active revolutionaries (Cromwell allowed the conservative MPs back after the Purge)
- -> Most who had supported the regicide had done so because they wanted rid of that 'man of blood' rather than for any republican ideology
- During the first three months of the regime, average attendance was only 56 out of 211
- -> Lack of interest and commitment in reform wanted by Cromwell + Army
- Only 19 out of the 41 on the Council of State took the Oath of Engagement
- Cromwell's ideological schizophrenia: simultaneously attempting to enforce godly reformation and encourage "healing and settlement"
77
What was the impact of radical Left groups, such as the Diggers? (3)
- Numbered only a couple hundred so were never able to incite a sustained threat
- Acted to divide the support for the levellers and so limited the support and unity of the most influential radical group
- Their radicalism and disorder (Quakers refused to swear oaths, pay tithes or raise hats to anyone) and encouraged many to long for a return to monarchial government
78
How long was there between the Nominated Assembly and the first Protectorate Parliament? What could Cromwell do with this time?
9 months
Had the opportunity to establish his regime and its policies
79
What did Cromwell do between the dissolution of the Nominated Assembly and the First Protectorate Parliament?
- Made peace with the Dutch
- Secured trading and commercial deals with continental powers
- Over 180 ordinances passed by the Protector and council on state of business, religion and domestic reform
80
When was the First Protectorate Parliament opened?
September 1654
81
How did Cromwell address the first Protectorate Parliament?
Showed great optimism --> referring to it as "the greatest occasion England ever saw"
82
How did MPs respond in the opening week of the First Protectorate Parliament?
- Launched a fierce and destructive attack on the constitution and regime, attacking Cromwell's role as Lord Protector
- -> It was the first elected Parliament for 14 years and so contained a number of opponents to the regime
83
How did Cromwell respond to MPs anger and attacks in the first week of the First Protectorate Parliament? (4)
- 12 September 1654: Cromwell employed troops close to the house to add military pressure
- He warned the house that whilst they may revise the written constitution, they must respect its basic structure
- 100 MPs withdrew from House in protest
- ->He claimed that they would not be allowed to return to the House until they signed a document accepting the fundamental points of The Instrument ('Recognition of Government')
- -> Roughly 80 refused to sign and were excluded
84
What did the First Protectorate Parliament focus on?
-Rather than attempting to implement godly reform, they focused on creating the Government Bill- a constitutional successor to the Instrument
85
Why did Cromwell dismiss the Government Bill as unsatisfactory? (2)
Although it contained many aspect of the Instrument,
- Narrowed the liberty of Conscience demanded in the Instrument
- Saw a dramatic reduction in the size of the army through cutting the military budget
86
When and why did Cromwell dissolve the First Protectorate Parliament? (1+3)
22 January 1655
- Was angered that it focused solely on a new constitution rather than reform
- Wanted to kill any possibility of implementing the Government Bill as he felt it was too restrictive
- Despite being in session for 5 lunar months, passed no acts (Failure politically)
87
What opposition did Cromwell's regime face? (3)
March 1655- A series of Royalist risings in the South & South-West of 300-400 men: Easily put down by the NMA (One cavalry infantry destroyed them in a 3 hour street fight)
Spring & Summer 1655- senior judges questioned the standing of the regime and the legality of Protectoral taxes
-A number of MPs at the First Protectorate Parliament challenged The Instrument and Cromwell - 80 were excluded for refusing to sign 'The Recognition'
88
When and what was the attempted capture of Hispaniola?
April 1655
-As part of the Anglo-Spanish war on each others commercial and colonial interests, England attempted to capture Hispaniola but were defeated by the Spanish
89
What was the impact of the failure to capture Hispaniola?
Cromwell saw the defeat as a divine rebuke, signalling that England, the regime and the people had veered away from godliness and displeased God.
90
How would the County Militias and Major Generals impact on the Army? (2)
- Might allow modest reductions in the size & cost of the army
- -> Whilst many saw this as the implementation of a military dictatorship, it also displayed attempts to limit the standing army
91
How did Cromwell limit opposition within the Second Protectorate Parliament?
-Mass exclusion of potentially critical MPs
92
Signs of Cromwell's happiness at the Second Protectorate Parliament? (2)
- Supported the War with Spain & provided further taxation for it
- Working on new legislation, some of which promoted Godly reformation
93
Signs of Second Protectorate Parliament going against Cromwell? (2)
- December 1656: Harsh punishment for 'blashphemy' of Quaker, James Nayler could be seen as limiting religious toleration
- January 1657: Parliament rejected a bill to authorise a new tax upon Royalists to fund new militias and the Major-Generals' system as a whole, thereby ending the system
94
How did the Second Protectorate Parliament attempt to reform the constitution? How did Cromwell react to this? (2)
- Offered the Humble Petition & Advice
- It made limited changes to the existing system and safeguarded all the key points of The Instrument
- It proposed the restoration of Kingship and offered this role to Cromwell
-He agreed that 'The Instrument' was not perfect and needed revision: Especially after the Nayler case, he felt that it would not protect people's religious freedoms
95
How did Cromwell respond to the offer of the crown from the Second Protectorate Parliament and the Humble Petition and Advice? (2)
- Led to intense soul searching for a number of weeks whilst Cromwell tried to decide how to respond
- Ultimately rejected the crown (on 8 May 1657) and decided to continue as Lord Protector instead
96
When and what was the Humble Petition & Advice? (2)
- 25 May, 1657
| - The revised constitution of the Protectorate following the Instrument of Government
97
Why did Cromwell refuse the crown? (4)
- Possible restoration of Kingship aroused intense opposition in the army --> Fear of military unrest
- Feared it was seem as though he was personally ambitious in his regicide
- Didn't feel that a monarchy was necessary to the governing of the country
- Felt that God had acted decisively in removing the monarchy
98
What was the outcome of the Second Protectorate Parliament? (2)
- The second session was largely unproductive and only lasted from January 20th to February 4th 1658
- No new Parliamentary taxes were agreed and the regime sank deeper into debt
99
What were the British military successes during 1658?
- Military success in the Anglo-Spanish War with the British seizure of Jamaica
- Alliance with France against Spain saw Britain take control of Dunkirk
100
When was censorship imposed? What was the impact of this?
- State censorship from autumn 1655
| - -> Made Cromwell seem just as tyrannical and oppressive as Charles and the monarchial regime
101
Evidence of Cromwellian tyranny? (4)
- State censorship from autumn 1655 onwards
- 1654; merchant, George Cony contested Protectorates power to levy customs duty without Parliamentary consent- he and his defence lawyers were arrested
- Before the First Protectorate Parliament, ruled by Ordinances and after through Proclomations- Legality of these questioned by many
- Fleetwood and Desborough related to Cromwell by law and his sons, Richard & Henry had influential roles: Gave the image of a dictatorship similar to the monarchy
102
When did Crowmell found Royal Mail?
1654- Cromwell offered a monopoly of mail services to the 'Office of Postage'
103
What was Army response to the Instrument of Government?
- Opposition as they saw it handing too much power to Cromwell
- Three disaffected colonels signed a petition attacking The Instrument for concentrating too much power in the hands of one person
104
How was the Major-Generals scheme funded?
- A decimation tax: All royalists worth above £100/year were charged 10% of their annual income
- -> Damaging policy of "healing and settling" and was also attacked for being an unparliamentary form of taxation
--> Much of the tax was avoided and the income wasn't worth the damage it caused to Cromwell
105
Evidence of the success of the Major General scheme? (4)
- All known Royalists disarmed
- 14,000 Suspect and their male services forced to post bonds for good behaviour
- Decade of the 1650s saw the illegitimate birth rate fall to its lowest point (0.5%) in the five centuries that records have been kept
- All the major-generals but one were elected, displaying how it had been a successful scheme
106
What was public reaction to Cromwell's policy on Jews? What does this display about opinion on his Godly reformation more widely? (2+1)
- Strong opposition from London merchants who would seem them as opposition
- Public opinion at large seemed against it
--> Displayed the widespread lack of sympathy for Cromwell's Godly reformation
107
How did Cromwell attempt to limit the elections for the Second Protectorate Parliament? (2)
- 100 MPs excluded because of their opposition to The Instrument and further 30 others stayed away in Protest: Only 66% of house full
- The Instrument had made limits on Royalists and opponents of the regime
108
Evidence that Cromwell was King in all but name?
- Whereas his first coronation saw him wear only black and dress moderately, his second saw him wear a robe of purple and he carried a golden sceptre
- Introduction of a Privy Council and an Other House to balance against the Commons
- 1658, the Protectorate became hereditary
109
Evidence of assassination attempts against Cromwell? (1)
8 January 1657- Sindercombe plot
- -> Saw a group gain access to Whitehall Palace and plant gunpowder and matches, which were ready to explode
- -> One of the conspirators handed the plot in after a strong sense of guilt
110
How did the Second Protectorate Parliament attempt to give Cromwell the Kingship?
-Issued a Remonstrance, presented to Parliament on 23 February 1657, renamed the Humble Petition and Advice and issued to the Protector on 31 March
111
What were the changes in the Humble Petition and Advice? (3)
- Revived the leader's control over the militia, power to declare war and appoint all judges and officers of state
- Government within a two-chamber parliament and the restoration of an 'Other House'
- Taxation would be the exclusive prerogative of the HoC- never again would something like the Decimation Tax be able to be enforced
112
What was the Other House? Who was Appointed to it?
- Created under the Humble Petition & Advice, was a chamber to balance the power of the HoC
- Cromwell set about opening it with appoint 65 members
- -> 1/3 declined his invitation
- -> Only two out of 7 nobles invited took their seats
113
Evidence that Cromwell maintained control of Parliament to the very end?
-Cromwell fired Major-General John Lambert in July 1657 as a result of his opposition to the new constitution demonstrating Cromwell continued control of the army.
114
Brief summary of Cromwell's death? (3)
- Following the death of his favourite daughter, he was plagued with illness throughout 1658
- Dissolved 2nd Sessions of 2nd Protectorate Parliament in February 1658 after it was largely unsuccessful and mainly attacked the Humble Petition
- Died on Sept 3, 1658 of Malaria and Kidney infection
115
What was the Cony Case? (5)
- George Cony refused to pay customs duties on imported silk as not approved by Parliament
- Imprisoned and brought issue against Council of State in November 1654
- Few months later, Cony's lawyers were imprisoned for questioning the Protector's prerogative
- Senior judge forced to resign for allowing the case to proceed at all
116
What was the impact of the Cony Case?
Displayed the tyranny of Cromwell in some aspects
117
Why did Cromwell dissolve the second session of the 2nd Protectorate Parliament after only 3 weeks? (2)
- Was attacked by both former Lords and committed republicans over the Other House
- Lack of Godly zeal and more focused on the Humble Petition and Advice
118
Evidence that Cromwell had not made a successful religious reformation?
-In 1658, approximately half of Parishes were still using all or part of the old Prayer Book
119
How did the Rump Parliament address the issue of debt?
-Decreased the level of debt from £3million in 1649 to £1million by 1653
120
What threat did the Diggers pose? (3)
- Published the Law of Freedom in 1652: Blueprint for Communist Society
- Leader Winstanley set up a Digger Community in 1649 on wasteland and other such groups sprang up in 1650
--> Very small and peaceful opposition: easily oppressed
121
What threat did the 5th Monarchists pose? (3)
- Major-General Harrison and Praise-God Barebones were both members of the Nominated Assembly, though with very limited roles
- Wanted abolition of entire legal system (worrying for for conservatives)
- Had at most 10,000 members but most were from lower social strata and offered little threat
122
What threat did the ranters pose? (3)
- Didn't believe in sin or damnation so were outwardly offensive and "merry" (eg. drinking, sex, partying etc)
- 1650 Rump passes a number of laws against sins (eg. against swearing, adultery etc) which may have been aimed at Ranter actions
-->Implications that the Rump may have exaggerated the existence of a Ranter sect to justify the clamping down on radical groups
123
What did the Rump fail in? (3)
-Lack of adequate religious settlement to the army (eg. toleration + freedom)
- Failed to deliver electoral reform (Extending date of dissolution to Nov 1654 and stalling on even that)
- -> Army & Leveller influence desperate for electoral reform
-Failure to reform legal system
124
What did the Rump succeed in? (3)
- Improved the economic situation of the nation
- Destroyed opposition in Scotland, Ireland and Royalist risings, aiding stability
- Navy vastly improved and stronger international standing
125
Why did Cromwell call the 2nd Protectorate Parliament?
- Further attempts at rule with a Parliament
| - Desperate financial position of the Regime: Debt increasing at a rate of £250,000/year
126
What was the major opposition to offer of Kingship?
Lambert, Fleetwood, Desborough and other army grandees threatened to resign if Cromwell accepted the kingship
127
What caused the rule of Major Generals?
Penruddock Rising March 1655
--> 400 Royalist sympathisers easily put down by militia of 4000
-->Implications that this was used an excuse to consolidate Cromwell's power
128
What was the Decimation Tax? What was its impact? (1+2)
- Tax on Royalists to pay for the Major General Scheme
| - Goes against Cromwell's stated desire for healing & settling
129
How did Cromwell impact religion under the Protectorate? (3)
- Cromwell wanted religious freedoms so church under the Protectorate had no agreed doctrine or Prayer book and no common liturgy
- Increasing number of gathered churches appeared in 1650s, of those who thought themselves God's elect
- Elizabethan prayer book still in use and large number of Old Anglican ministers hoping for a return to the old Church
130
What was the economic situation under the Protectorate?
- In 1654, debt for that year alone was £350,000
- Protectorate introduces National Tax Bill of £90,000 (reminiscent of Monthly Assessment)
--> In 1655, cut National Tax Bill to £60,000 as it had been high since 1642
131
In what ways was Cromwell not oppressive/militaristic? (3)
- Rump and Barebones' had been established, and Cromwell rejected the opportunity for a military dictatorship
- Major Generals not overly oppressive (All but 1 elected to Parliaments)
- Charles II was a serious threat and following the War years, England needed someone to provide stability
132
Evidence of growing centralisation and diminishing county authority? (2)
- Country communities were generally protesting against the Parliamentarian central government and its local representatives, the country committees’ → complaints that the county committees acted arbitrarily and were staffed by social upstarts
- Major Generals scheme of Dec 1655 put county rule under central control
133
Evidence of Cromwell's religious motivations in the closure of the Rump?
He claimed at its closure, "How can you be a Parliament for God’s people?"
134
What were David Smith's claims over the Nominated Assembly
- At least four-fifths of the members were ranked as gentlemen thus as David Smith remarked ‘The assembly represented a shift of power within the gentry rather than away from the gentry’
135
What did Blaire Worden claim in regards to Cromwell's aims for Rump & NMA
Blair Worden describing him as being in a state of ‘ideological schizophrenia’
136
Argument for Rump & NMA's success?
- He himself blunted the reforming agenda of the Rump through asking back those excluded or removed by Prides Purge.
- England was no more settled in 1653 than it had been at any time since the regicide, however considering that the republic was created through the actions of a few, it is perhaps surprising that political instability and turmoil was not greater in this period.
