Cromwell’s personality

Question 1

What role did Cromwell’s personality play in the constitutional experiments of the 1650s?

Answer 1

It played a crucial role, contributing to contradictions and instability.

Question 2

Which beliefs influenced Cromwell’s approach to government?

Answer 2

His religious beliefs, personal humility, and confidence in divine providence.

Question 3

What effect did Cromwell’s confidence in divine providence have on his decisions?

Answer 3

It sometimes led to pragmatic decisions that appeared inconsistent with his professed values.

Question 4

Fill in the blank: Cromwell’s _______ contributed to the contradictions in the constitutional experiments of the 1650s.

Answer 4

[personality]

Question 5

True or False: Cromwell’s decisions were always consistent with his professed values.

Answer 5

False

Question 6

What was central to Cromwell’s political decision-making?

Answer 6

Cromwell’s religious zeal

His belief in providence shaped his actions.

Question 7

What did Cromwell believe about providence?

Answer 7

God actively shaped events

He viewed his rise as divinely ordained.

Question 8

What action did Cromwell take in 1653?

Answer 8

Dissolution of the Rump Parliament

Initially supported it as a Parliamentarian.

Question 9

Why did Cromwell dismiss the Rump Parliament?

Answer 9

He viewed it as corrupt and self-serving

This was a contradiction to his earlier support.

Question 10

What ideals shaped Cromwell’s vision of governance?

Answer 10

Puritan ideals

These ideals influenced his policies.

Question 11

What policy did Cromwell implement for Protestants?

Answer 11

Religious toleration

However, he persecuted Catholics and radical sects.

Question 12

Which radical sects did Cromwell persecute?

Answer 12

Catholics and Fifth Monarchists

Persecution occurred when they threatened stability.

Question 13

How did Cromwell’s faith influence his foreign policy?

Answer 13

He formed alliances with Protestant states

His policies aimed to defend and promote Protestantism.

Question 14

What was the Western Design?

Answer 14

Cromwell’s intervention in the Caribbean

It was part of his religiously motivated foreign policy.

Question 15

Who were the Vaudois Protestants?

Answer 15

A group supported by Cromwell in Savoy

Their support reflected Cromwell’s mission to promote Protestantism.

Question 16

What was a negative outcome of Cromwell’s aggressive foreign policy?

Answer 16

Alienation of potential allies

This contributed to financial strain on the Protectorate.

Question 17

True or False: Cromwell’s religiously motivated policies always aligned with practical governance.

Answer 17

False

His religious zeal sometimes conflicted with effective governance.

Question 18

What was Cromwell’s background?

Answer 18

Parliamentarian background

Question 19

What did Cromwell attempt to establish with the Instrument of Government in 1653?

Answer 19

A mixed constitution with checks on the executive

Question 20

What actions did Cromwell take when Parliament opposed his policies?

Answer 20

Dissolved both the First and Second Protectorate Parliaments

Question 21

What tendency did Cromwell exhibit despite his support for constitutional government?

Answer 21

Authoritarian tendencies

Question 22

What was Cromwell’s personal belief that often influenced his governance?

Answer 22

Order and stability

Question 23

What title did Cromwell accept in 1657?

Answer 23

Lord Protector

Question 24

What did Cromwell’s rejection of the Crown illustrate?

Answer 24

His internal conflict regarding stability and monarchy

Question 25

True or False: Cromwell viewed kingship as a symbol of the corrupt past.

Answer 25

True

Question 26

Fill in the blank: Cromwell's acceptance of the title of _______ underscored the contradictions in his rule.

Answer 26

Lord Protector

Question 27

What did Cromwell desire despite recognizing that monarchy provided a clear line of succession?

Answer 27

Stability

Question 28

What did Cromwell's rule highlight about his commitment to representative government?

Answer 28

His theoretical commitment often overrode by his personal beliefs

Question 29

What was Cromwell's desire for the nation?

Answer 29

Cromwell desired the 'healing and settling' of the nation ## Footnote This reflects his aim for stability and reconciliation after the turmoil of the English Civil War.

Question 30

How did Cromwell's conservative instincts affect his governance?

Answer 30

His conservative instincts made him wary of radical social change ## Footnote This wariness often conflicted with the need for reform and change in governance.

Question 31

What was the role of the Major-Generals during Cromwell's rule?

Answer 31

The Major-Generals enforced moral reform and maintained order ## Footnote Their rule (1655–1657) reflected Cromwell’s Puritan vision but was unpopular among the gentry.

Question 32

What impact did the Major-Generals have on Cromwell's authority?

Answer 32

Their unpopularity demonstrated the limits of his authority ## Footnote It also showed the resistance to military governance.

Question 33

What shaped Cromwell's constitutional experiments in the 1650s?

Answer 33

Cromwell's personality—his religious fervor, belief in providence, commitment to stability, and pragmatic decision-making ## Footnote These traits influenced his approach to governance and policy.

Question 34

What was the balance Cromwell sought between liberty and order?

Answer 34

He sought to reconcile liberty with order, but often prioritized order ## Footnote This led to tensions within his government and its policies.

Question 35

What was the consequence of Cromwell's prioritization of order?

Answer 35

It led to the erosion of Parliamentary government and increased reliance on personal rule ## Footnote This shift undermined the principles of representative governance.

Question 36

What characterized Cromwell's government?

Answer 36

Cromwell's government was both dynamic and unstable ## Footnote His contradictions in governance contributed to this instability.

Question 37

What happened to Cromwell's vision for England?

Answer 37

His vision for England died with him in 1658 ## Footnote This reflects the transient nature of his policies and governance.