Radicalism Flashcards
Why did the levelers 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, stated all they thought 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 did the levelers want the vote?
The middling sort, smaller property owners, craftsmen and shopkeepers.
Why was lilburne arrested in early 1649?
Had accused Cromwell of high treason in a pamphlet, was imprisoned in the Tower of London.
What happened in march 1649?
Army units mutinied owing to lilburne’s arrest.
How did Cromwell react to the mutinies?
Crushed them with speed and severity, he wanted to show the traditional ruling classes that the commonwealth would not tolerate social disruption.
What happened to the mutineers?
Crushed by Cromwell at Burford 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
- Gained no support in parliament or 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 be established in society.
Why else did the levelers fail?
Had no effective power base, good times had returned to the country- meaning radicalism was less attractive. The army rank and file had not been fully radicalized.
