Radical Groups Flashcards
What radical political ideas emerged during the period 1625-88?
Radical political ideas included the promotion of Puritanism, millenarianism, and various radical groups that posed a threat to the government.
What event led to the collapse of censorship, allowing radical political ideas to flourish?
The Civil War and execution of Charles I.
Which group believed in the establishment of the fifth great empire with the return of Jesus?
The Fifth Monarchists.
Who were the leaders of the Levellers?
John Lilburne, William Walwyn, and William Overton.
Active from 1645
What did Thomas Rainsborough argue during the Putney Debates?
High ranking leveller
He argued that the poorest man in England should have a voice in government and should not be excluded from voting.
What is the significance of the Putney Debates?
They highlighted radical military voices advocating for broader political representation.
What were the Levellers’ main demands?
- House of Commons as the central body
- Abolishment of the House of Lords
- Universal male suffrage
- A new constitution
- Equality before the law and religious freedom
- wanted reform of the legal system, local courts should be ran by locally elected judges and abolition of imprisonment for debt
What actions did the Levellers take?
Published a pamphlet, An Agreement of the People
Leveller elements of the army began to call for change after the civil war
When did the Ranters emerge?
Emerged around 1650, leaders imprisoned in 1651
What were the main beliefs of the Ranters?
Those predestined to be saved by God were incapable of sin and could ignore man made codes about sexual morality
Believed in immoral sexual behaviour, drinking and swearing
What was the main belief of the Diggers?
Active from 1649-50
Ownership of land was based on man-made laws invalidated by the King’s death, advocating for common land use.
Compulsory education for girls and boys
Abolition of house of lords and monarchy
What actions did the Diggers take?
- They dug vegetables on common land in Weybridge April 1649
- refused to remove their hats when interviewed with the leader of the new model army
What did the Seekers believe regarding traditional churches and clergy?
1620s
They believed that churches and traditional clergy were unnecessary, as God could be sought within each individual.
Denied any religious authority outside the voice of God and conscience
Who was the leader of the Quakers?
George Fox.
What was the primary belief of the Quakers?
- Religion comes from the voice of God within
- In 1654, Fox carried out a ‘mission to the south’ to be carried out by 60 ‘first publishers of the truth’
- Membership grew to 35,000 by the early 1660s
Fill in the blank: The confessional state was no more by _______.
1688.
Why were those who opposed the confessional state not considered a threat?
They were few in number, accepted state punishment, and often left the country.
What was the impact of the radical groups between 1640-1660?
Increased opposition to the confessional state and exploration of alternatives to the Church of England.
What change occurred in views about the confessional state by 1688?
Any attempt to re-impose the confessional state would fail.
What did Richard Claridge believe regarding civil government?
God should not have a role in civil government, and government should be formed of the people.
What was the significance of the pamphlet ‘The world turn’d upside down’?
It reflected people’s feelings and societal changes after the Civil War.
