Republic: Instrument and First Protectorate Parliament Flashcards
How did the Instrument of Govt come about?
Removal of NA reverted power to Cromwell, so the constitution clarified relationship between Head of State , Council of State and plmt
What were the key points of Instrument?
Plmt control of taxation, Triennial Act, LP could pass ordinances during plmt recess, religious tolerance for most Protestant sects and unspecified financial support for a militia to be controlled by LP and CofS
What power did LP have?
Influence in every area of governance - shared legislative and military authority with plmt, assumed all legal authority as Head of State and assisted by CofS in foreign policy
What did Lambert hope to achieve in Instrument?
Give 2 points
LP role was intended to limit plmt power, and balanced the two through the CofS, which recruited its own members and selected the LP - lifetime tenure
Wanted to protect military who had established minority rule through CofS - practically LP dominated govt
What did Cromwell aim to do before 1st pro plmt?
2 aims and 1 action
Wanted to ‘heal and settle’ the nation by establishing a stable form of govt
Wanted social and religious reform, introducing godly rule through a religious reformation
Produced 83 ordinances between Dec 1653-Sept 1654 concerning finance and tax-collection
Why was 1st pro plmt so disliked?
Regarded as too conservative for republicans - saw Cromwell as King - enacting ordinances, military control and wary of NMA size and power
Regarded as too radical for PN - disapproved of godly reformation and wanted more traditional settlement in the interest of greater stability
Cromwell had to rely on the army without PN’s support which didn’t get them onside
What opposition did Cromwell face from the civ Cromwellians?
Give 2 points
CC opposition led to Cromwell stating ‘fundamentals’ of govt - through a single person and plmt, regular elections, religious freedom, joint control of the militia
He forced MPs to take an oath recognising these fundamentals - around 100 MPs refused and withdrew from plmt - largest exodus of members since Pride’s Purge
What was Biddle’s Case and its consequences?
1654 - teacher denied Trinity and divinity of Christ, accused of blasphemy and interrogated by a plmt committee
Declared his work should be burned and Biddle imprisoned - trying to exercise religious control over LP and CofS
In conjunction with failure to fund the army and further attacks on Instrument - Cromwell dissolved plmt 22nd Jan 1655
