Interregnum Flashcards
what was the name of the first parliament in charge 1648 - 1653?
The Rump parliament
Why was the 1st Rump parliament weak?
Not many people supported it
Divided in its ideas
People plotted against them
Levellers wanted more social change and their powers reduced
Money was spent quickly
Forced to increase tax
Slow to come to agreements
Seen as corrupt
What happened at Drogheda 1649?
Cromwell surrounded the town and told them to surrender
When they refused he attacked and killed over 1,000 Catholics
He burnt down a church with people still inside
How did Cromwell justify Drogheda 1649?
He claimed god was on his side
He said that they were no innocent for what they had done in the Irish rebellion
It was the only was to gain control of Ireland
What were the Major Generals 1655 - 1657?
England was divided into 12 regions with a Major General in charge of each
They were responsible for monitoring peoples behaviour and make sure people stayed loyal
Why did the use of Major Generals end 1657?
They were not effective
People wanted the end of military rule
They weren’t powerful enough
Not all of them were respected
Not all regions were controlled in the same way
What was the Bare Bones parliament 1653?
When the Rump parliament failed to make religious changes or produce a constitution Cromwell and the army took control
It’s representatives were selected not elected
Why did the Bare Bones parliament fail?
Disagreements over religion, law and property
What year was Cromwell made Lord Protector?
1653
What was Cromwell’s structure of parliament like?
There was a three part Instrument of Government
Lord Protector - Council of State - An occasional Single Chamber Parliament
Lord Protector was head, they had less power than the king, he had to govern according to the advice of the court and couldn’t choose his own advisors
Why were Major Generals put in place?
As a response to the royalist Penruddock’s uprising
He wanted them to reduce unrest and create loyalty
When was the Barebones parliament?
1653
What was the Humble Petition and Advice 1657?
A request by parliament to make Cromwell king
They wanted to make the regime more respectable and prevent the succession going to military leaders
What were the terms of the Humble Petition and Advice?
For Cromwell to become king
End arbitrary exclusion
Reduce the power of the council
Set up the ‘Other House’
Reduce the size of the armed forces
Limit religious tolerance
What did parliament offer after he Cromwell refused to be king?
that if he accepted the constitution then he could keep his title
Why was Cromwell outnumbered in parliament?
Republicans attacked the Other House where most of his supporters sat. The House of Commons was now dominated by his opposition
When did Cromwell die?
September 1658
Why was Richard Cromwell weak?
He wasn’t a genuine soldier
He wasn’t interested in the military or politics
He preferred to be in the country
He had little respect from the military
What did Cromwell fail to do?
Set up a self sustaining government
Why was the army against Richard Cromwell?
They wanted him removed as commander in chief because he had no experience
The army was owed £900,000
How much debt was the Protectorate in by 1658?
£2.5 million
How did Richard Cromwell reduce the power of the army?
The Council of Officers could only sit with the permission of parliament
The local militia was under the direct control of parliament
Why did Richard Cromwell dissolve parliament?
Pressure from the army
Who was in charge after Richard Cromwell?
The Rump Parliament was allowed to return
Even those forced to leave during Prides Purge
what was the Booth uprising 1659?
A royalist uprising lead by George Booth
They wanted free elections and parliament
It seemed more like an anti rump sentiment
Why did the Booth uprising fail 1659?
Support from Spain didn’t arrive
John Lambert sent to put it down
How did John Lambert gain influence?
For dealing with the Booth uprising
Who’s side was John Lambert on?
He was on the army’s side
He wanted the Rumps authority reduced
When did the 2nd Rump parliament dissolve?
1659
A military rule was now in place and the committee of safety was now in place
Who did the expelled MPs appoint as Commander in chief?
George Monck
Who did the army send to stop George Monck?
John Lambert
Why did George Monck beat John Lambert?
His men were better organised and better paid
Why was the Long parliament restored in 1660?
George Monck wasn’t happy that the Rump (3) had dismissed half the army officers so forced them to call back all the MPs from before prides purge 1648
What was the Long parliaments new name 1660?
The Convention parliament
What was the Declaration of Breda 1660?
A declaration made by Charles II saying that if he returned anyone who fought against him would be pardoned
How did George Monck help Charles return?
He told his to move out of Catholic countries and go to protestant Brussels
Encouraged him to make the Declaration of Breda
When was Charles II crowned?
May 1660
