The 'Experiments' 1653-58

Question 1

summarise

the Barebones Parliament

Answer 1

1653
- Cromwell created new parliament after dissolving rump , to FULFILL HIS NEW AIMS
- included moderates from Gentry / nominated members

• 5 months that it sat, passed over 30 laws
• dec 1653, moderates alarmed by ideas of radicals / dissolved parliament

Question 2

summarise

the instrument of Government/ what did it provide ?

Answer 2

1653
Oliver’s ally , General Lambert, was drafting a constitution called INSTRUMENT OF GOVERNMENT
- Aimed to make government **practical/possible **

CONSTITUTION PROVIDED: - a head of state (cromwell)
- regular taxes to maintain army of 30,000 men
- allowed freedom of religion

Question 3

summarise

the 1st Protectorate Parliament

Answer 3

1654-55
- elections for 1st parliament sat for Sept 1654 - Cromwell/his council of state made new measures
- New MPs attacked the instrument of Government / said document was illegal/ written by Cromwell’s ally
- thought Cromwell/Army become too powerful and called for recall of Rump Parliament

Cromwell dissolved this on 22nd Jan 1655

Question 4

summarise

The Rule of The Major Generals?

Answer 4

1655-57
Cromwell saw royalist threat still existed
- fear God punishing England , so needed Godly ‘reformation of manners’ to regain God’s favour so:

• England/Wales divided into 11 military districts , each commanded by a Major general (enforces freedom of religion , but limited)
• included DECIMINATION TAX for ex royalists (1/10 of income)
• ended in Jan 1657 - financial crisis

Question 5

summarise

the Humble Petition and Advice

Answer 5

1657
- MPs presented their constitution , including offer of the crown , in the document ‘Humble petition’

TERMS :
- Cromwell becomes King
- new House of Lords

rejected on 8 may 1657

Question 6

summarise

the 2nd Protectorate Parliament?

Answer 6

1658
- reassembled MPs on Jan 1658 under rules of ‘Humble petition and Advice’ (becoming more like Charles)

lasted 3 weeks due to verbal attacks

Question 7

why was the restoration of monarchy popular?

Answer 7

1. radicals - Civil war saw a growth in radicals , threatening stability of Church and society
   - Fifth Monarchists staged rebellion against charles II after he took throne
   - ppl hoped church would keep radicals under control
2. divisions between Parliament and the army and they could not rule very effectively.
   - the Rump Parliament had been replaced with an army-dominated Committee of Public Safety in 1659.
   - but commander of the army in Scotland, George Monck, refused to accept this
   - The army eventually backed down, bringing back the Rump Parliament. By 1660 it had become clear that government was not working without a king and so the Restoration of the monarchy was popular with many people because it offered the chance for a return to stability.