The Massacres of Drogheda and Wexford Flashcards
What was the strategic importance of Drogheda in September 1649?
Drogheda controlled access to Dublin and blocked Royalist reinforcements from Ulster. Its fall showcased Cromwell’s strategy of rapid, decisive sieges and secured Dublin for Parliament.
Why was Wexford targeted in October 1649?
Wexford was a vital port city south of Dublin, seen as a potential staging ground for a Royalist invasion supported by continental powers like France or Spain. Its fall on 13 October 1649 secured Cromwell’s ship-borne supply lines and delivered a decisive blow to Royalist hopes.
What were the key elements of Cromwell’s strategy in Ireland?
Cromwell focused on capturing key strongholds to neutralise the Royalist threat swiftly. He utilised the superior discipline, training, and logistics of the New Model Army, reducing Ormond’s army from 17,000 to 3,000 through relentless campaigns.
How did Cromwell’s leadership contribute to his campaign’s success?
Cromwell demonstrated ruthless decisiveness and maintained strong communication with Parliament, framing his actions as divinely justified and strategically necessary.
What happened at Drogheda after its fall?
The entire garrison and many civilians were killed. Cromwell claimed the massacre was a “righteous judgement” and retribution for earlier Irish atrocities during the 1641 rebellion.
Describe the events at Wexford during Cromwell’s campaign.
Similar brutality occurred as at Drogheda, with widespread slaughter of soldiers and civilians. Some argue the massacre may not have been explicitly ordered by Cromwell but resulted from the chaos of the attack.
Why were Cromwell’s actions controversial?
There is debate over whether his actions broke conventions of seventeenth-century warfare. While massacres like Magdeburg (1631) were precedents, Irish atrocities in the 1641 rebellion were used to justify Cromwell’s actions in Parliament.
How did Cromwell justify his actions in Ireland?
Cromwell framed his actions as fulfilling divine will, portraying Irish Catholics as perpetrators of earlier atrocities and deserving punishment. He believed his campaigns safeguarded Protestantism and ensured God’s justice.
What did the massacres at Drogheda and Wexford symbolize for Cromwell?
They symbolised his dual role as a religious and military leader, emphasizing righteousness over humanity when justifying actions before Parliament.
What were the military impacts of Cromwell’s campaign in Ireland?
Cromwell decisively eliminated key Royalist strongholds, neutralised Irish and continental threats, and consolidated Parliamentary control.
What political effects did Cromwell’s campaign have?
The campaign undermined Royalist hopes of European support due to its speed and success, cementing Parliamentary dominance over Ireland.
How did Cromwell’s actions psychologically affect Ireland?
His brutal tactics instilled fear in opponents, deterring resistance, but provoked lasting resentment among Irish Catholics and deepened hostility toward English rule.
Who was Bishop Nicholas French?
A Catholic leader from Wexford, he opposed the Royalist-Ormond faction and sought foreign intervention to repel Cromwell but failed, leading to exile.
What role did Oliver Cromwell play in the campaign?
Cromwell, commander of the New Model Army, combined military skill with religious zeal, symbolizing brutal efficiency and religiously motivated governance.
What are the traditional and revisionist views of Cromwell’s actions in Ireland?
The traditional view sees Cromwell’s actions as unparalleled in cruelty, while the revisionist view argues they aligned with contemporary military practices and were driven by strategic and religious imperatives.
How does a Marxist analysis interpret Cromwell’s campaign?
It focuses on the socio-economic dimensions, viewing Cromwell as consolidating English control over Irish resources.
What was the New Model Army?
A highly disciplined and effective force pivotal to Parliament’s success in the English Civil War and Ireland.
What is Divine Providence in the context of Cromwell’s campaign?
The belief that Cromwell’s brutal actions were justified as fulfilling God’s will.
What were the conventions of seventeenth-century warfare?
Rules governing the treatment of surrendered garrisons and civilians, though often disregarded in brutal conflicts.
What is the “Rally Around the Flag” effect in Cromwell’s campaign?
The success of Cromwell’s campaign likely galvanised support within Parliament, reinforcing his position.
How does the colonialism model relate to Cromwell’s actions in Ireland?
Cromwell’s treatment of Ireland aligns with broader patterns of English colonial dominance over Irish resources and culture.
