To what extent were divisions over religion the mai reason for the failure of Republican government in the years 1649-60?
- Created by: finn moffat
- Created on: 03-06-17 13:02
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- To what extent were divisions over religion the main reason for the failure of Republican government in the years 1649-60?
- Divisions over Religious matters
- The main threat to the regime came from within parliament.
- Parliament was split into 2 main groups, radicals and conservatives.
- Cromwell was both a religious radical and a relative political conservative.
- Many MP's were conservative and were recoiling from revolution. Only 43/300 MPs were regicides who signed Charles' death warrant.
- Religious radicals included groups such as the levellers and fifth monarchists.
- Parliament was split into 2 main groups, radicals and conservatives.
- Nominated asembly/barebones also failed as a result of divisions between moderates and radicals.
- In December 1653, the Barebones parliament voted to dissolve itself, before making way for the instrument of government, in which Cromwell was given the role of Lord Protector.
- The main threat to the regime came from within parliament.
- Involvement of the military in politics
- Early military victories such as the supression of catholic dissenters in Ireland ensured the immediate survival of the commonwealth
- This led to the army desiring a greater role in the politics of the commonwealth
- The Army, and most influentially Cromwell, had demanded that the Rump proceed and reform “all that was amiss in government,” and settle “the Commonwealth upon a foundation of justice and righteousness.”
- Early military victories such as the supression of catholic dissenters in Ireland ensured the immediate survival of the commonwealth
- Cromwell's discontent with parliament
- Divisions over Religious matters
- The main threat to the regime came from within parliament.
- Parliament was split into 2 main groups, radicals and conservatives.
- Cromwell was both a religious radical and a relative political conservative.
- Many MP's were conservative and were recoiling from revolution. Only 43/300 MPs were regicides who signed Charles' death warrant.
- Religious radicals included groups such as the levellers and fifth monarchists.
- Parliament was split into 2 main groups, radicals and conservatives.
- Nominated asembly/barebones also failed as a result of divisions between moderates and radicals.
- In December 1653, the Barebones parliament voted to dissolve itself, before making way for the instrument of government, in which Cromwell was given the role of Lord Protector.
- The main threat to the regime came from within parliament.
- Cromwell desired "Godly Reform" in the political nation but Parliament would never agree to this, which forced Cromwell to rely more on the army in politics, which in turn made it more difficult to reach a settlement with parliament.
- Involvement of the military in politics
- Early military victories such as the supression of catholic dissenters in Ireland ensured the immediate survival of the commonwealth
- This led to the army desiring a greater role in the politics of the commonwealth
- The Army, and most influentially Cromwell, had demanded that the Rump proceed and reform “all that was amiss in government,” and settle “the Commonwealth upon a foundation of justice and righteousness.”
- Early military victories such as the supression of catholic dissenters in Ireland ensured the immediate survival of the commonwealth
- Involvement of the military in politics
- In essence, the Rump failed to deliver Cromwell's desire for "Godly Reform"
- The Presbyterian Church settlement of 1644 remained intact and the Rump passed both the Blasphemy and Adultery acts of 1650, which increased suppression against radical religious sects.
- This alienated Cromwell and the army further and resulted eventually in the Rump's dissolution in November 1654.
- The Presbyterian Church settlement of 1644 remained intact and the Rump passed both the Blasphemy and Adultery acts of 1650, which increased suppression against radical religious sects.
- Many believe that Cromwell wanted a parliament on his terms, and this was the problem that lay at the heart of political instability during the interregnum.
- The rule of the Major Generals is what came as a result of Cromwell's overreaction to the failure of the first protectorate parliament.
- The generals were associated with military rule, a lower social standing and high taxation. This reflected Cromwell's desire to impose a form of Godly rule, despite hostile public opinion/
- The rule of the major generals was portrayed by many royalists as a military dictatorship which isn't entirely inaccurate.
- The failure of the rule of major generals resulted in the revision of the role of Lord Protector and the "Humble Petition and Advice" in 1657 in which Cromwell was actually offered the crown. This was essentially a draft of a new constitution
- The new constitution, offerred by the second protectorate parliament consisted of 5 main aspects: 1. Government by King (changed to Lord Pretector after Cromwell refused the crown) 2. The lords and commons would govern alongside the protector. 3. Parliament would have control of the army and generals would be appointed by Parliament. 4. Provision for a hereditary succession. 5. Regular elections and limited religious tolerateion.
- The country was split up into 11 districts eached ruled by a military general. Their effectiveness was mixed, but the religious fervor that drove their harsh restrictions on social activities made them unpopular.
- The failure of the rule of major generals resulted in the revision of the role of Lord Protector and the "Humble Petition and Advice" in 1657 in which Cromwell was actually offered the crown. This was essentially a draft of a new constitution
- The rule of the major generals was portrayed by many royalists as a military dictatorship which isn't entirely inaccurate.
- The generals were associated with military rule, a lower social standing and high taxation. This reflected Cromwell's desire to impose a form of Godly rule, despite hostile public opinion/
- Divisions over Religious matters
- New Government's lack of support from the political nation
- Ireland and Scotland were still royalist strongholds
- When the news of Charles' execution reached Scotland, Charles II was immediately proclaimed King.
- The protectorate was opposed by both royalists and republicans and instrument of government attacked by republicans led by Haselrig and Bradshaw, who disputed the legality of the constitution.
- Biddle case- John Biddle was accused of Blasphemy in 1654 and Parliament attempted to assert their right to legislate over religion and over Biddle's punishment. Most importantly however, it was an attack of the constitutional position of Lord Protector. Cromwell exiled Biddle out of the jurisdiction of Parliament. He was released but imprisoned once again in 1658 until he became ill and eventually died in 1660.
- Yet again, Parliament failed to support Cromwell's desire for Godly reform with the Biddle case and the guaranteeing of "Liberty to tender consciences". Cromwell lost patience and dissolved parliament after the minimum of 5 months.
- Biddle case- John Biddle was accused of Blasphemy in 1654 and Parliament attempted to assert their right to legislate over religion and over Biddle's punishment. Most importantly however, it was an attack of the constitutional position of Lord Protector. Cromwell exiled Biddle out of the jurisdiction of Parliament. He was released but imprisoned once again in 1658 until he became ill and eventually died in 1660.
- Divisions over Religious matters
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