England 3.2 (b) Medway

Question 1

What were the economic causes of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 1

• The English dominated trade, Dutch were angry.
• English worried the Dutch would push at their Atlantic trade.
• Worried about each other’s competing trade interests.

Question 2

What were the social causes of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 2

• 75-100 thousand had died in the Plague.
• The Fire cost £10m.
• Issues between Anglicans and Catholics.
• The Dutch used all this to their advantage.

Question 3

What were the political causes of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 3

• Negotiations had begun, but Charles procrastinated to get a better deal, while the Dutch tried to get it over with as quickly as possible.
• Charles hoped for French help to change the outcome.
• Both wanted the best deal from the Treaty of Breda.

Question 4

What were the military causes of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 4

• English weakened from War, Plague and Fire.
• Lack of defence on the Medway, ships docked further up.
• Charles ignored his court suggesting an imminent attack.

Question 5

What were the economic impacts of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 5

• Cost £17m for the English, £3000 of which was Sheerness Castle, where goods like timber, tar and gunpowder were stolen.
• England lost 13 expensive ships.
• Dutch allowed to carry English goods in the Navigation act (harmed trade).

Question 6

What were the social impacts of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 6

• Many were panicked and fearful.
• England divided, some blamed Charles.
• Roman Catholics blamed for the disaster.

Question 7

What were the political impacts of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 7

• De Ruyter respected for his impressive raid.
• Charles gave land to the Dutch, humiliated.
• Stronger ties with the French, despite suspicion.
• Stronger ties with Parliament, who granted more money for ships.

Question 8

What were the military impacts of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 8

• The Royal Charles and The Unity captured.
• Poor command and tactics. ‘The heart of every Englishman bled’.
• Led to modernised fleet that dominated the seas in the coming centuries, they learned their lessons.

Question 9

How did the disaster at Medway brew? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 9

• The Dutch used their improved banking system to take a loan to build 40 ships. (English made 11).
• The English (Charles) were confident there would be no attack, due to negotiations and Dutch losses.

Question 10

Why was Charles confident that Medway would go fine? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 10

• Difficult to navigate due to the changing tides.
• Needed local skill and knowledge.
• Entrance protected by a thick chain.

Question 11

How were English defences easily broken at Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 11

• Main fort on the Isle of Sheppey was unfinished.
• No gun batteries on the Gillingham chain.
• Chain was low in the water, easily broken by fireships.

Question 12

What were the key events of Medway? (RE 3.2b)

Answer 12

• 9th June: Travelled up the river.
• 12th June: Broke the chain with fireships.
• Mid-Late June: Sank 12 ships, captured Royal Charles / Unity, and blockaded the Thames.
• July: Treaty of Breda signed, war ended.