Republican Rule 1649-60 Flashcards
(8 cards)
Describe the nature of the established republican rule.
. On the 17th of March 1649 the Rump Parliament passes an ordinance abolishing the monarchy as well as the House of Lords, declaring England was now a Commonwealth and effectively a republic.
Describe opposition faced by the Rump Parliament and its eventual collapse.
. After the execution of Charles, the 3rd Civil War began, with the Rump Parliament facing threats from:
. Scotland, who had just proclaimed the son of Charles, Charles 2 king and raised an army against the Rump.
. The Irish rebellion - the Irish were concerned about a possible threat of the Protestant Rump Parliament without Charles 1 to defend them.
. Royalists who remained within England wanting vengeance against the small Rump Parliament for the death of Charles.
. The question of legitimacy - with the absence of the king it was difficult to establish legitimate authority.
. The fact that legally, all of the acts passed still had to be passed by the king did not help the situation.
. This left the Rump open to objection at any legislation passed. An example being the threat of objection from the conservative nobility at the passing of more radical legislation.
. The rise of religious radicalism was supported by the introduced Toleration Act in 1650 and the abolishment of Church Courts, with provided dissenters with greater freedom of worship outside of the Anglican Church structure.
. Dissenter groups established their own churches, weakening the influence of the established Anglican Church.
. The Quakers numbered 40,000 in the late 1650’s, causing concern from the conservative nobility.
. The emergence of more radical dissenter groups in 1650 - such as the fifth monarchists within the army, who believed that they should seize control of government and prepare the way for the return of Christ.
. After becoming impatient with the conservative nature of the Rump leading to a lack of reform (52 acts passed in 1652), Cromwell used the army to dismiss it in 1653, replacing it with the Barebones Parliament.
Describe early success of the Rump Parliament.
. In the 3rd Civil War, the New Model army were able to subdue the Scots and then the Irish, as well as crushing a royalist revolt.
. Charles 2 fled to Europe following the Battle of Worcester.
. The support of the army established the Rump Parliament as a significant power.
. The Rump continued to maintain law and order within England through law courts.
. To appease the army’a calls for religious toleration and reduced influence of Anglican bishops, the Rump abolished Church Courts and introduced the Toleration Act of 1650, removing the requirement for dissenters to attend Anglican communion.
. The army put down a mutiny of Leveller soldiers in Burford in May 1649.
. The August 1650 Blasphemy Act was aimed at reducing freedom of radical religious sects.
Describe issues faced by the established Barebones Parliament and how this led to power returning to Cromwell.
. Divisions in the Barebones Parliament between those who wanted moderate reform and those who wanted more radical reform.
. Fearful of the radicals, the moderates returned power to Cromwell, who established himself as Lord Protector.
Describe the structure of the Protectorate government under Cromwell.
. Major General John Lambert produced the Instrument of Government, a new constitution that declared Cromwell Lord Protector and head of the Protectorate government, with a council of advisers and parliament under his control.
. Cromwell also held the support of the army, figuratively giving him absolute power.
. He was in reality a king, with the same powers e.g - the right to appoint a successor, just not the title.
Describe successes of the established Protectorate Government.
. The Protectorate established the first written constitution in England.
. Opposition from royalists was quiet due to royalists wanting to hold on to any remaining land that they had kept after the civil wars.
. Cromwell proved a successful leader, balancing demands for more radical reform from the army and an end to conflict and return to a moderate system from the public.
. Cromwell’s Puritan religious views were more radical than his social or political views.
. He granted toleration to all religious sects except the most radical.
. However, catholics remained excluded from the religious and political system, with catholics not even being able to vote let alone stand in an election.
. He upheld the reforms aimed at promoting religious austerity under the long parliament, including the banning of Valentine’s Day and laws against blasphemy and drunkenness.
Describe problems faced by the Protectorate Government.
. Many people disliked the reforms introduced to promote religious austerity under Puritanism, seeing them as over controlling and a reduction of religious freedom.
. Pendruddock’s rising in 1655 - a royalist uprising aimed at restoring Charles 2 to the throne. However the royalists were defeated by Cromwell’s army within 2 days and leading conspirators were executed. Led to Cromwell seeking greater control over the districts via Rule through Major Generals.
. Opposition to Cromwell’s rule through Major Generals - 1655-56 - resentment of military involvement in civilian administration, Decimation Tax - 10% tax on the estates of royalists.
. However, there were 7 royalist uprisings between 1652-59.
. Opposition to the Humble Petition and Advice - the constitution established by the second Protectorate in 1657 - Cromwell’s refusal to become king which may have provided legitimacy to the Protectorate Government.
. Richard Cromwell was proclaimed Lord Protector in September 1658, following the death of his father.
. Richard’s failure to maintain the security of the Protectorate and his own position as Lord Protector has been attributed to:
. His own weakness and inexperience in government.
. The problems he inherited from his father.
. The propaganda of the old republican MPs and opposition from the army:
. Richard appointed himself Commander in Chief to the resentment of senior officers.
. Old republican MPs discussed replacing the army with local militia, causing junior officers to demand a reinstatement of the Army Council to discuss grievances.
. April 1659 - Richard agreed to reinstate the Army Council, only for them to present a petition for him to dissolve parliament and recall the Rump House, or, as Fleetwood noted, he would face their opposition.
. Richard agreed out of fear of civil war and agreed to recall the Rump, then he was exiled.
Describe the actions and opposition of the reinstated Rump Parliament that led to its downfall.
. The Rump Parliament began by purging the army and Parliament of moderates and enforcing a sense of republicanism in the army and in government.
. The civilian population opposed, concerned with the appointment of religious radicals such as Quakers in parliament.
. This led to calls for a free parliament and an outbreak, led by a Presbyterian MP named George Booth.
. Whilst this united the Rump and the army in crushing the outbreak, it demonstrated the fragmented support of the Rump.
. The army voted to dismiss 9 leading officers including Desborough and Fleetwood.
. On the 13th of October 1659, the army surrounded parliament, denying the Rump House entry.
. The army established a Committee of Safety by the Council of Officers to maintain some form of government whilst the direction of the system of government was decided.
. General George Monck in Scotland declared his support for the Rump Parliament after Haselrig called for his support and invaded.
. Lambert was tasked with raising an army to oppose him, yet his men fled when confronted by Monck’s army, demonstrating the no longer existent army morale under the Committee of Safety.
. Monck was flooded by calls for a return to constitutional monarchy.
