Chapter 16: Cromwell, the Protectorate, Major-Generals, and relationships with the PN Flashcards
What was included in the Instrument of Government?
- Protector=head of state
- P elected every 3 years, sitting for minimum of 5 months
- militia controlled by P and Protectorate
- Council of state are crucial as balance power of Protectorate and P
What did Republicans want during the First Protectorate?
- reduce armed forces
- reduce Cromwell’s power (over army + ordinances)
Why were Republicans concerned about Cromwell’s power during the first Protectorate?
- he didn’t need P approval for ordinances etc. so cpuld cause dictator ship like atmosphere
- Cromwell’s control of army
- need to reduce armed forces
What did P do to be a threat?
- P trying to control religion over Protectorate and Council despite Protectorate already enforcing religious freedom + toleration
When was the First Protectorate?
Sep 1654-Jan 1655
What did Cromwell respond with after Republicans attack his position?
- Fundamentals of government
- included govt. by a single person + Parliament, liberty of conscience (religious freedom), regular elections to ensure no perpetuation
- included militia controlled by Protector, Council + Parliament
- Recognition (MPs take oath of the first of fundamentals) which 100 MPs refuse on principle and withdraw from P
What is Biddle’s Case (1654)?
- Biddle denied Holy Trinity so accused of blasphemy by MPs
- Commons declared he should be imprisoned and works burnt
- P attempting to control religion over Protectorate + Council
- MPs attacks on Instrument and P’s failure to find army cause Cromwell to dissolve P (Jan 1655)
Why was there a rule of Major Generals / reform?
- Religious reformation: used to enforce godly reformation
- Failure of Western Design: Failure of the Spanish attack suggested reform was needed
- Finance: Decimation tax introduced under MGs to reduce army to cheaper militia by shifting tax burden to ex-royalists
- Royalism: Penruddock’s rising of March 1655 indicates the threat of royalism
How did Lambert establish the rule of the Major Generals?
- split England into 11 areas, each ruled by a MG
- gave instructions to MGs of August + October 1655 and June 1656 to help prevent rebellions
What the focus of the Major Generals?
- security of the regime, some had personal goals eg. godliness
How did the PN react to the rule of Major Generals?
- Government: conservatives keep being removed so conservative PN aren’t represented in govt. + PN control of localities threatened due to bigger role of gentry (soldiers)
- Religion: conservative PN fear religious radicalism + increase of Quakers
- Finance: increase tax to support army + Decimation tax for royalists which puts off reconciliation
To the PN they all seemed like breakdown in order and hierarchy
When did the Second Protectorate sit?
- Sep 1656
What is the Militia Bill (Jan 1657)?
- enforces Decimation tax and make it permanent
What is the Decimation tax?
10% of annual income of wealthy royalists to fund local militias
What happened during the debates over the Militia Bill?
- power struggle between military and civilians
- Cromwell saw it wouldn’t lead to long term stability so abandoned MGs and opposed the Bill
What caused the Humble Petition and Advice?
- plot to assassinate Cromwell discovered (Jan 1657) so brought into question what happens when he dies
What was Humble Petition and Advice (1657)?
- motion to offer Cromwell the Crown
What did Cromwell receive in March 1657 opposing The Humble Petition And Advice?
- receives a petition by 100 army officers opposing monarchy restoration and claiming settlement is needed
How did Cromwell respond to The Humble Petition and Advice?
- (Apr 1657) rejected title of ‘King’
- (May 1657) accepted revised Petition with Title ‘Lord Protector for Life’
- June 1657 crowned
Why did Richard Cromwell fail to maintain his position as Protectorate?
- his weakness and inexperience
- inability of surviving Grandees (retired MGs), Fleetwood and Desborough to control junior officers
- propaganda of old republicans MPs
- seriousness of problems inherited from his father
When was Richard Cromwell proclaimed Protector?
- Sep 1658
What caused resentment against Richard Cromwell?
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How was England ruled 1659-60 after Cromwell was forced to resign?
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What was James Nayler incident?
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Why was the Instrument of Government written?
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What were Cromwell’s aims as Protector?
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When was MG rule?
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Who most openly opposed Cromwell as King?
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What were the advantages/disadvantages of offering Cromwell the Crown?
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Why did people fear anarchy after Cromwell’s death?
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Why was there division among the NMA after Cromwell’s death?
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What happened after Richard Cromwell resigned?
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How did the recalled Rump operate?
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What momentarily united the Rump and Parliament in July-August 1659?
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How did Monck bring about the restoration of monarchy?
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