Domestic And Foreign Divisions

Question 0

When was Charles’ second Declaration of Indulgence and how did this create division?

Answer 0

15 March 1672
States his suspending power (prerogative to suspend operation of any law) in relation to all penal laws against Catholics and non-conformists
Created suspicion over Charles’ intentions regarding Catholics, reinforced by the alliance with Catholic France against the Dutch
Parliament protested, stating it was unconstitutional

Question 1

What happened as a result of the lapse of the Conventicle Act in 1668?

Answer 1

In 1699, the commons refused to grant a subsidy of £300,000 and so Charles had to allow for a more rigid Conventicle Act in return for parliamentary funds

Question 2

Conventicle act 1670

Answer 2

Reissued after first expired in 1668
Charles agreed to this in return for extraordinary taxation, grants of new duties on imported wines for 8 years and additional excise for 9 years
Commons curbed Charles’ desire for toleration by the ‘power of the purse’

Question 3

The first Test Act 1673

Answer 3

Designed to exclude Catholics from public office
All office holders had to swear the oaths of supremacy and allegiance and declare against tran substantiation
Charles had limits on his powers to choose his advisors
James, duke of York, and Clifford had to resign

Question 4

The second Test Act 1678

Answer 4

Exclude all Catholics from both House of Parliament, excluding James
Prevented further division due this exemption

Question 5

When was the triple alliance formed and what was Louis XIV’s reaction to it?

Answer 5

1668 - between Sweden, Dutch Republic and England

Louis now wanted an alliance with Charles II and began negotiations - resulted in the secret treaty of Dover in 1670

Question 6

The third Dutch war in English context

Answer 6

17 March 1672, two days after his declaration of indulgence, Charles declared war on the Dutch
Large English failures but French proved successful, made the war unpopular in England
Parliament refused to grant money and forced Charles to sign the treaty of Westminster in February 1664

Question 7

Charles destruction of danby’s pro Dutch policy

Answer 7

Charles maintained links with Louis
Lead to the revelation of danby’s correspondence with the French - his downfall
Second treaty where in return for money, Charles would prorogued parliament and disband the army raised at the start of the year - Charles prorogued parliament but did not disband troops
Both the French and Dutch did not trust Charles