The interregnum Flashcards
The Rump Parliament, 1649-53…
Power was passed to the MPs who remained in Westminster on 4th January 1649.
Became the sole legislative authority and their focus was the reformation of government.
March 1649 - monarchy and House of Lords abolished.
May 1649 - Britain declared to be a commonwealth.
What acts did the Rump pass?
2 January 1650, the Rump passed an Engagement Act by which all adult males had to declare loyalty to the Commonwealth.
July 1650, a Treason Act by which it was illegal to deny the authority of the regime.
What acts did the Rump introduce regarding religious nonconformity?
In May 1650, the Blasphemy Act restricted religious sects and an Adultery Act which introduced the death penalty for adultery and incest. This marked the Rump as more religiously conservative than the army.
Also, in 1650 the Rump bought an end to compulsory attendance of national churches.
The Rump and Ireland…
Parliament was scared of an Irish invasion in England, aimed at bringing Charles II to the throne.
July 1649 - Cromwell landed in Ireland to restore English rule, methods were brutal.
The garrison at Drogheda was massacred because it refused to surrender but proceeded to slaughter thousands of civilians after they surrendered.
The Rump and Scotland…
Scotland posed a threat to republican rule because Scottish officer David Leslie commanded a powerful army which he handed over to Charles II.
Cromwell was appointed as commander-in-chief of the army to put down the Scottish threat.
Cromwell defeated the Scots at Dunbar in 1650 (3,000 killed and 10,000 captured), and in 1651 he destroyed Charles II’s armies in Worcester.
Charles II fled to France and spent nine years in exile.
What did Cromwell’s success in Ireland and Scotland do?
Cromwell’s successes in Ireland and Scotland ensured the survival of the republic government, and increased the prestige of the armed forces.
What did the Navigation Act, 1651 introduce?
The Navigation Act intended to promote the self-sufficiency of the British Empire by restricting colonial trade to England and decreasing dependence on foreign imported goods. The Navigation Act of 1651, aimed primarily at the Dutch, required all trade between England and the colonies to be carried in English or colonial vessels.
The Anglo-Dutch war 1652-54…
The passing of the Navigation Act resulted in much anger from the Dutch. The Dutch received much of their revenue from transatlantic trade, and the inability to use English ports had a detrimental impact on their financial position. The War began when the Dutch refused to salute the English. The war continued for a year after the Rump was dissolved, and ended with Cromwell’s signing of the Treaty of Westminster in 1654, hoping for an alliance.
What did the Anglo-Dutch war do?
The Anglo-Dutch war exacerbated tensions as army generals were unsure of the Rump’s objectives.
What were the three reasons for the Rumps failure?
- The reforms involved complex aspects of law which could not be agreed upon.
- They struggled to maintain a large standing army.
- They had limited finances, without substantial resources, the MPs of the Rump were less inclined to initiate significant reform.
The reforms involved complex aspects of law which could not be agreed upon…
The Hale Commission was set up in 1651 to investigate reform of the legal system.
Reform slowed down - 125 acts passed in 1649, 51 in 1652.
They struggled to maintain a large standing army…
Without support from the political nation, the regime could not disband the army. While there was an army they were unlikely to get this support.
The main issue for the army was the Rump’s failure to introduce constitutional reform.
They had limited finances, without substantial resources, the MPs of the Rump were less inclined to initiate significant reform.
The threats from Ireland and Scotland meant that the Rump had to employ its immediate resources and time.
By 1650, the Rump’s deficit was over £700,000 which was half of its annual income.
The Dutch War, resources and time were used in war with the Dutch.
What happened in 1653?
In 1653, Cromwell believed that the Rump intended to extend its life. He dissolved the Rump by force and replaced it with the Nominated Assembly.
What were the problems of Cromwell in April 1653?
- Did not want a dictatorship nor a general election.
- Everyone hated the army. Any new parliament would clash with the army.
- Everyone wanted a civilian constitutional government.
The Nominated Assembly…
The Nominated Assembly was composed of members nominated by the government, the religious radicals determined to establish godly rule in the country. However, most members were from the lesser gentry who were conservative by nature and had little desire for godly reformation.
What was its nickname and where did it come from?
Nicknamed the ‘Barebones Parliament’, it comes from one of its more radical members ‘praise God’ Nicholas Barbon.
What were the Assembly’s substantial achievements?
- Civil marriage was legalised.
- Registers for births, marriages and deaths were established.
- The revenue system was reformed.
- Regulations concerning the treatment of lunatics were introduced.
- Legal measures to help debtors were introduced.
Why did the Nominated Assembly collapse?
There was a divide between traditionals and radicals which did not help, meaning church reform created a gap in the parliament. Radicals met and planned reforms, traditionals often missed critical votes.
In November and December the radicals attacked any church structure they could and abolished tithes with no structure in place to replace. Propertied members were unhappy at the suggestion to abolish tithes.
What happened on 12 December 1653?
The more moderate members of the Nominated Assembly met and voted to dissolve the Nominated Assembly.
What did Lambert produce three days after the Nominated Assembly was dissolved?
Lambert produced the Instrument of Government offering an entirely new constitution, the Protectorate, with government by a single person, Cromwell. Cromwell became Lord Protector.
The First Protectorate Parliament…
Cromwell hoped that the Protectorate would bring stability and national life.
Lord Protector would be supported by a Council of State and a single chamber parliament with 460 members.
Parliaments were to be elected every three years by those who owned property of at least £200.
There would be a state Church but there would be freedom of worship for all except Catholics.
What were the successes of the first protectorate parliament?
There was some initial success including laws banning bear baiting and cock fighting, improving postal services and allowing for maintenance of roads.
What did Cromwell use the English fleet for?
Cromwell decided to use the English fleet in the Caribbean.
December 1654, fleet sent to capture Haiti under Admiral Penn and General Venables. The two argued and bad supplies and tropical diseases affected the English, failed to get Haiti but captured Jamaica.
