Radicalism Flashcards
Why did the leveler movement develop?
There was a conviction amongst merchants that war had created an economic recession that threatened their livelihoods.
What was the humble petition?
Presented by the levelers in September 1648, it stated all they believed parliament had failed to do.
What did the humble petition say?
Parliament had failed to reform and extend the franchise, free those imprisoned for debt, become answerable to the people, make all things common and reform the law.
For whom had the levelers wanted the vote?
The middling sort- craftsmen, shopkeepers and smaller property owners.
Why was Lilburne arrested in early 1649?
He accused Cromwell of high treason in a pamphlet, so was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
What happened in march 1649?
In response to Lilburne’s imprisonment, a number of army units mutinied.
How did Cromwell react to the mutinies?
He crushed them with speed and severity, he was determined to show the traditional governing classes that the commonwealth would not tolerate social disruption.
What happened to the mutineers?
Cromwell crushed them at Buford in Oxfordshire in may 1649. Three of their leaders were shot, this marked the end of the leveler threat.
Give three reasons why the levelers failed
- They gained no support in parliament, nor amongst the officers because their ideas challenged social order. 2. In an army of 40,000, only 800 joined the revolt. 3. The movement was too new to have become established in society.
Why else did the levelers fail?
They had no effective power base, good times had returned to the country- meaning radicalism was less attractive and the army rank adn file had not been full radicalized.
