Cromwell, succession and the restoration Flashcards
Whats wrong with the rule of the Major Generals
The rule of the Major Generals was unpopular with the Second Protectorate Parliament, its members were determined to find a system to replace it
What was the Humble Petition based on
It was based on the restoration of monarchy.
What did the Humble Petition consist of?
• King
Government by a King, change to Lord Protector when Cromwell refused the Crown
What did the Humble Petition consist of?
• Succession
Provision for a hereditary succession
What did the Humble Petition consist of?
• Lords and Commons
The Lords and Commons to govern with the Protector
What did the Humble Petition consist of?
• Control of the army
Parliament to control the army, and officers of state to be approved by parliament
What did the Humble Petition consist of?
• Elections
Regular elections and limited religious toleration
Why was Cromwell offered the Crown?
• To restore a system
By offering Cromwell the Crown, his MPs were attempting to restore a system where the powers and privileges of the leader were established and known, rather than another experimental government.
Why was Cromwell offered the Crown?
• The term ‘King’
The use of the term ‘King’ would confirm that traditional laws and the courts system would be used.
Why did Cromwell decline the Crown?
• The army
Cromwell was concerned about how the army would react to him being given the Crown by a civilian parliament
Why did Cromwell decline the Crown?
• Lack of support
A number of commanders in the army made it clear that they would not support Cromwell if he took the Crown
Why did Cromwell decline the Crown?
• More power
If Cromwell accepted the Crown from parliament, Cromwell would be vesting more power in the MPs than the army, who had always served to protect his position
When was the Third Protectorate Parliament?
Richard Cromwell summoned the brief Third Protectorate Parliament to meet in January 1659.
What was the weakness of Richard Cromwell?
• No experience of war
Unlike his father, Richard was a civilian and had no experience of war.
What was the weakness of Richard Cromwell?
• the Council of Officers
Richard was unacceptable to the Council of Officers, which forced him to resign later in 1659 and then recalled the Rump
Political vacuum after the death of Cromwell
• The newly restored Rump
The newly restored Rump appeared to have learned nothing from its earlier failures and the ruling minority began disintegrating rapidly. In October 1659, the army closed it down by force
What did General Monck do
• Restore the Rump
He was fearful that the country was sliding towards military rule, he assembled an army to bring the Rump to power again
The return of the Long Parliament
• Under Lambert
The army sent a force north under Lambert to counter the threat of Monck but other members of the army reinstated the Rump again.
The return of the Long Parliament
• The role of Monck
Against the wishes of the Rump, Monck moved to reverse Pride’s Purge.
The return of the Long Parliament
• The Convention Parliament
In March 1660, the restored Long Parliament voted to dissolve itself, leading to elections for the Convention Parliament
Who was in the Convention Parliament
the newly elected parliament included a number of Royalists and excluded many of the republicans who had been involved in government since Charles’s execution
Monck’s role in the Restoration
It was accepted that the monarchy should be restored.
Monck stared secret negotiations with CharlesII
Declaration of Breda
Charles II sent his own proposals for a settlement, the Delectation of Breda, and this was accepted by MPs
Why was Charles restored?
• One-man rule under Cromwell
A rejection of the republican governments of the 1650s was inevitable after the return to one-man rule under Cromwell
Why was Charles restored?
• Fear of another civil war
There was fear of another civil war in the context of the political uncertainty of 1659.
Why was Charles restored?
• Radical religious groups in 1650s
The number of radical religious groups alarmed the political nation in the late 1650s.
In 1659, there were as many as 60,000 Quakers
Why was Charles restored?
• Stability
As the republic had collapsed so quickly, it was essential to men of property that a stable government be restored
Why was Charles restored?
• Declaration of Breda
Charles’s Declaration of Breda made him look like an attractive option. He offered religious toleration and payment of arrears to the army.
