Oliver Cromwell - Good or Bad Flashcards
Under Cromwell’s rule, the military was put in charge. How did people feel about this?
The people were upset, and disliked this arrangement.
This makes Cromwell a bad leader
Cromwell and his men killed many people in Ireland, men, women and children alike. Did this make Cromwell good or bad?
This made Cromwell bad as he was slaughtering not only men, but women and children and this angered many people
How did Oliver change the army for the better?
He allowed everyone to enter, not just the rich.
This makes him a good leader, as he was considerate of everyone and not just those with money.
Oliver was a Puritan, which is an extremely rich Protestant. What famous holiday did he ban celebrating for?
Christmas. However, Oliver didn’t ban Christmas itself but the celebration of the holiday. It was the same as any working day.
This made Oliver a bad leader, as he prioritised his own beliefs and not what others wanted or believed.
What title did Oliver refuse?
The title of king. Oliver was offered the title in March 1657, and he agonised over whether to be named the official king of Britain. Most MPs wanted him to accept. However, most of the army officers and soldiers did not want him to become king. Some historians think that Cromwell refused the crown because he thought God would frown on him. Accepting the crown would show pride and ambition and Cromwell thought this would offend God.
This made Cromwell a good leader as he denied a title that would’ve made him extremely powerful, and stuck to his faith - what made him lord protector of Britain in the first place.
What did Cromwell convince many people of?
That Charles l should’ve been executed after the civil war. He said “I tell you, we will cut off his head with the crown upon it.”
This made Cromwell a bad leader as he was convincing people of something they wouldn’t normally promote of believe but upon his words they did.
Cromwell let all genders, and people rich or poor vote.
True or false?
False.
He was prejudice against women so would not let them vote at all, and would also not let you vote unless your property was worth more than £200.
This made Cromwell a bad leader as he was being unfair to all those who could not vote, and prioritising something a woman couldn’t control. A woman does not make the conscious decision to be of the female gender, so can’t have any say in what gender they are.
How did Cromwell ensure that the country ran efficiently?
He set up 11 districts with their own mayors, so the country would run more smoothly for the citizens, and not just himself.
This made him a good leader as he was taking in to account the people of Britain, and how their lives would be for the better.
