Chapter 14 - The consolidation of the Republic: Scotland and Dunbar; campaigns in Ireland; Charles II and Worcester Flashcards
(35 cards)
When was the republic established?
February 1649
How was the republic established?
February = the Rump voted to abolish the monarchy and monarchical government March = became formal acts abolishing monarchy and House of Lords May = England declared to be a ‘Commonwealth and free state’ governed by a single-chamber Parliament
Why was there difficulty in establishing a new government after Charles’ execution?
- Ireland was a royalist stronghold
- Scotland immediately declares Charles II as King
When was the engagement act passed?
2 January 1650
What was the engagement act?
Act passed that meant all adult males had to declare loyalty to the commonwealth.
When was the treason act passed?
July 1650
What was the treason act?
Act passed that made it illegal to deny the authority of the regime as vested in the Commons.
How did the Rump structure the new government?
2 points
- Rump declared that it had sole legislative authority
- elected the Council of State to act as government council (similar to Privy council)
What was the first aim of the Rump?
To remove the last traces of Royalism from England
How did the establishment of the Rump affect foreign relations?
No foreign monarchies prepared to recognise he legitimacy of the Rump after if had executed Charles = created much uncertainty
How did the uncertainty in Britain at this time help military advances?
Why was this so beneficial?
Because of uncertainty, the navy was bolstered by construction of 20 new warships
- Provided the necessary support for Cromwell’s expedition to Ireland and Third Civil War against Scots
When did the wear with Ireland begin?
August 1649
What were Cromwell’s forces, and what were his aims for going to Ireland?
Took 20,000 men
Intended to suppress Catholic Royalist sympathisers.
Why was there a need to take forces to Ireland?
4 points
- Rebellious forces had controlled Ireland since the initial uprising in 1641.
- Cromwell wanted to punish the Irish for 1641 rebellion
- Also were mostly Catholic and so he believed they were evil and against God (Catholic v Puritan)
- wanted to exploit Ireland financially
What were Comwell’s expectations for the war in Ireland?
He expected a swift victory
What were Cromwell’s intentions for going to Ireland?
3 points
- quick end to threat of Irish Catholics
- so that he could go back and sort out the Scottish threat from Charles Stuart and Covenanters.
- wanted to break the back of their ability to resist
Where were the two key battles of the War in Ireland and why were they so infamous?
Drogheda and Wexford
He stormed both of these strongholds and controversially slaughtered thousands of defenders after they had surrendered.
They are known as some of the greatest atrocities in Anglo-Irish history.
When was the siege at Drogheda?
What happened?
3-11th September 1649
Thousands of soldiers and civilians massacred
When was the siege at Wexford?
What happened?
2-11th October 1649
Negotiations fell through so stormed the town and executed the garrisons. Around 1,500 to 2,000 killed
How did Cromwell justify his actions in Ireland?
Referred to it as Divine Providence (did this a lot in his military career)
When and why did Cromwell leave Ireland?
What state did he leave it in?
Cromwell left May 1650 to organise invasion of Scotland
Left Henry Ireton to further impose control and had army in occupation there until 1660
Why were there tensions between Scotland and England at this time?
Had originally been Parliament’s allies but had cut ties with the English after Charles’ execution.
What actions led to the Scottish war?
3 points
- Charles II declared King in Scotland
- Charles made peace with the Covenanters
- Covenanters and Charles’ military assembled army to invade England
What was the problem with the engagement act for the Rump?
Impossible to enforce the engagement
- Rump survival depended on how it met the Irish/Scottish threat.
