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74 Cards in this Set

  • Front
  • Back

Summarise Manning's interpretation of the Restoration

For the Marxist historian, the Restoration was a reaction by a self-interested, financially driven conservative elite who had felt their influence undermined by the prominence of the army throughout the 1650s. Cromwell and the army had dominated the politics of 1653-60.

What was the Instrument of Government?

Created by Lambert in 1653, the Instrument inaugurated the Protectorate and was Britain's first written constitution.

List the key features of the Instrument

-Protector: Head of State


-Parliament elected every three years, to sit for a minimum of five months


-Council of State: played a central role in finance, appointments and control of the army


-Militia: controlled by the Protector & Parliament

Why was the Protector role created?

Lambert purposely created it because of his own fears about the potentially unrestricted nature of parliamentary power.

What were the functions of the Council of State?

The Council would select Cromwell's successor and guide the Protector on policy; it was not controlled by Parliament, and it recruited its own members, who held their positions for life.

What political reality did the Instrument come to terms with?

There would have to be minority rule and the army had to become, in effect, part of government and legislature through the Council.

State Cromwell's two main aims as Lord Protector

-Healing and Settling: establishing a stable form of new government




-Religious and Social reform: establishing godly rule, a society dominated by Puritan ideas

Who administered the state before the first Protectorate Parliament?

Cromwell, Lambert and a small group of councillors ran the state. They were most active in producing ordinances (authoritative decrees); between December 1653 and September 1654, Cromwell and the Council introduced 83 ordinances.

What did most ordinances deal with?

Finance and making the tax-collecting system more efficient.

Examine the power balance of the Protectorate

Both the Protector and Parliament had limits on their powers, but while Cromwell was keen to emphasise the Council of State's role, he was the dominant force in government.

Why was Cromwell attacked during the First Protectorate Parliament?

Republicans attacked Cromwell's position as Protector, seeing him as an alternative monarch and believing that Parliament should be the sole authority.

List the concerns of Republicans

-Cromwell's authority to enact ordinances when Parliament was not in session




-Control of the army being given to the Protector




-Need to reduce the armed forces

List Cromwell's 'fundamentals' of government

-Government by a single person and Parliament


-No perpetuation of parliaments by ensuring


regular elections


-Liberty of conscience: religious tolerance


-Militia jointly controlled by the Protector, Council of State and Parliament

What was the Recognition?

The opposition from civilian republicans forced an oath for MPs that recognised the first of the fundamentals: government by a single person and Parliament.

How many MPs refused to swear the Recognition?

About 100 MPs refused on principle and had to withdraw from Parliament

Which of Cromwell's aims did the Political Nation not support?

Godly reformation.

Outline the contradictions of Cromwell's aims

The goal of godly reformation marked Cromwell off from the traditional conservative Political Nation. This reinforced his reliance on the army which, in turn, hampered his search for settlement with the Political Nation.

Describe Biddle's case, 1654

John Biddle denied the Trinity & the divinity of Christ. Parliament attempted to enforce its right to control religion over the Protector and Council- the Commons declared he should be imprisoned and his work burned. The case, further attacks on the Instrument & Parliament's failure to fund the army forced Cromwell to dissolve the Parliament on 22nd January 1655.

Why were Major-Generals introduced?

-Religious reformation: priority for Cromwell


-Failure of the Western Design: first major failure


-Finance: regime increasingly financially exploited


-Royalism: increasing threat frustrated Cromwell



What was the decimation tax?

A 10 per cent fine on annual income for wealthy Royalists, from 1655, to fund local militias.

What happened in March 1655?

Penruddock's rising. This indicated the continuing threat of Royalism and Royalists who refused to accept defeat.

How was the Major-Generals regime organised?

Lambert split England into 11 areas, with a Major-General assigned to each. They were selected from leading officers in the NMA.

Describe the instructions for Major-Generals

They were to "endeavour the suppressing of all insurrections, rebellions or other unlawful assemblies" and to promote reformation by suppressing gambling, taverns and brothels.

Why did Lambert support the regime?

His general drift of thinking towards military rule was for self-preservation against the Royalists.

Give examples to display how the personality of Major-Generals had an impact

-MG Edward Whalley made huge efforts in his area to improve the lot of those at the bottom of society




-MG John Berry told the Fifth Monarchist Powell that he "came forth in his work, as sent of God" and clearly focused on the idea of further reformation



State negative concequences of the Major-Generals rule

-Military rule


-Lower social origins


-Religious radicalism


-Higher taxes


-Interference in local government

Why is it difficult to assess public reaction to the Major-Generals?

There is limited historical sources; many contemporary writers, fearful of retribution, destroyed their records from the 1650s, and most of the records that we do have were written after the Restoration.

Who led the 'civilian Cromwellians'?

Broghill.

Outline the main concerns of the 'civilian Cromwellians'

-Government: PN concerned with military role, MGs threatened the gentry's civil control




-Finance: high taxation for PN & Protectorate MPs, failed to achieve settlement, decimation tax (not reconcile divisions & insufficient)




-Religion: radicalism (NMA vs PN), Quakers

Describe the contradictory impulses of Cromwell's regime

Himself and many councillors wanted godly reform, a reduction of the financial burden and 'healing and settling' but the only way in which the minority could impose godly rule was through the army, which required the continuation of high taxes.

Why was Second Protectorate Parliament called in 1656?

Cromwell shifted his position again in seeking to 'heal and settle' the nation, having never lost his desire to secure parliamentary settlement.

What was the purpose of the Militia Bill?

This was an attempt to legally enforce the decimation tax. The Bill would make it permanent, which would strengthen the position of MGs. However, most MPs reacted negatively: Bill debates were part of a power struggle at the heart of the Protectorate between the 'military' and 'civilians.' MPs uneasiness led to Cromwell abandoning MGs.

What did Cromwell sacrifice to oppose to the decimation tax and Militia Bill?

The MGs and Lambert, in order to get a conservative, parliamentary-based settlement.

What reasons explain the failure of the Major-Generals to reform society?

Given the scope of the tasks assigned to the generals, and the very real limits of central and local government, it is no wonder that MGs failed.

Describe the Humble Petition and Advice

A new constitution designed to 'heal and settle' by establishing a more traditional government, with Cromwell as its head monarch.

What did civilian Cromwellians petition against?

The offer of the crown to Cromwell.

List the advantages of kingship for Cromwell

-More recognised form of government for gentry




-Line of succession




-Could achieve settlement with Parliament





List the disadvantages of kingship for Cromwell

-Cromwell was seen as an upsurper



-Opposition from Republicans




-Opposition from some of the NMA




-Opposition from the leading 'military Cromwellians'

Why was the New Model Army against kingship?

The fact that chief political power would reside solely with the monarch and for religious reasons.

Quote Captain William Bradford's letter to Cromwell in March 1657

"Those that are for the crown, I fear you have little experience of them; the other [the army] have attended your greatest hazards. I am of that number, my Lord, that still loves you, and greatly desires to do so, I having gone along with you from Edge Hill to Dunbar. The experiences you have had of the power of God... should often make you shrink."

How was Lambert alienated during contemplation of the Crown?

By considering the Humble Petition, Cromwell was contemplating a new system of government, which made Lambert resign.

Why did Cromwell eventually reject the Crown?

-Army seriously opposed & had the power to remove him




-The army was God's instrument populated by the saints; army opposition would signify to Cromwell that God had judged against kingship

What date did Cromwell accept the revised Humble Petition?

25th May 1657. The petition did not bring about fundamental change to the nature of the Protectorate.

What was the reaction of Republicans?

They felt that Cromwell had accepted being 'king in all but name' even from the start of the Protectorate.

What date did Oliver Cromwell die?

3rd September 1658. Cromwell nominate his son Richard Cromwell as the next Protector.

What opposition was Richard met with?

-Republicans: against the Protectorate, refused to recognise Richard


-Lambert: distrusted the civilians


-Army: provoked by measures to restrict religious toleration

What issue forced Richard to dissolve Parliament?

Army opposition, triggered by Parliament discussing settling the army as a militia (an ongoing debate since 1646.) This saw the end of his Protectorate in May 1659.

Which parliament was reinstated by the army?

Rump Parliament.

Outline groups who had power after Cromwell's death

-Civilian Cromwellians/ Presbyterians: traditional parliamentary system & reduction of army's influence


-Army leaders [Fleetwood & Desborough]: Protectorate


-Quakers [Lambert]: religious freedom


-Republicans: weaken army influence


-Soldiers: authority of Parliament


-Charles Stuart: wanted to be king

Who led the New Model Army in Scotland?

George Monck. He fought for Charles I when civil war broke out, but Cromwell persuaded him to command the NMA in Scotland throughout the 1650s. At first he was loyal to Richard Cromwell, but he then began to establish links with Charles Stuart. He safeguarded the return of monarchy.

Why was the New Model Army divided?

Monck in Scotland had very different ideas about settlement and unlike Lambert, Fleetwood and Desbrough was not ideologically opposed to the concept of a Protectorate and was supportive of Richard Cromwell.

What forced the army to recall the Rump in May 1659?

Republican propaganda exploited junior officers' concerns over pay and persuaded them to force army leaders to reluctantly recall the Rump.

Who took power after the Protectorate?

In the short term, power was in the hands of the Council of Officers, the body that led the army. After dismissing officers and civilians loyal to Richard, this Council reappointed radical army officers like Lambert to command the NMA.

Who was Arthur Haselrig?

A republican MP. A leading figure in the Rump, Haselrig was removed as an MP for his refusal of the 1654 Recognition and was excluded from the Second Protectorate Parliament. He was a key figure in alienating army leaders, particularly Lambert. He was also leader of the restored Commonwealth, but imprisoned and died at the Tower in 1661.

Quote historian Hutton's argument

The republican "men who had most firmly striven for the unfettered power of the Commons were now in harness with the man who had most successfully fettered them in the soldiers interests."

What did the Rump and leading Republican politicians not recognise?

Their dependence on the army. They sought to assert their political authority and showed no real inclination to satisfy the soldiers material grievances.

What did Lambert present on 13th May?

The Humble Petition and Address of the Officers, to the Rump. It included fifteen clauses outlining the 'Fundamentals of our Good Old Cause', notably a senate to protect the army's interests from Parliament.

Why did Haselrig oppose the Address?

He would accept no reduction of the Commons' authority. Haselrig and the Rump were, in effect, committing political suicide by alienating the army.

What saved the fragile alliance of the republicans and army?

Similarly to 1649 to 1651, a military threat.

Describe Booth's Rising, August 1659

Like in the Second Civil War, it was a reaction by previous supporters of Parliament and some Royalists, against the radicalism of the army. Haselrig supported Lambert's command of the armed forces to counter the rising, which shows how seriously the rebellion was taken. The rising was crushed in a brief but intense encounter at Winnington Bridge.

What was the fear surrounding Quakers?

There had been an explosion in numbers during the 1650s (50,000) and many feared Quakers would take over. This was exacerbated when reports of Lambert's troops becoming more radical and taking up the 'Quaker cause' scared many in London.

What was the crisis of 1659-60?

There were increased rumours of the possibility of an Lambertian Protectorate with Quaker support, which bought fears to a head.

Why was Lambert linked to the Quaker cause?

During the 1659 campaign, it was noted how Lambert's soldiers took on the Quaker cause; Quakers also took up positions in civil and military affairs. Lambert was seen by many Quakers as the most favourable of those in power. Support even went as far as organising elections on behalf of Lambert.

What was the Derby Petition?

The initiative was seized to establish the army's position and by 13th October, the Rump was removed. Lambert's army had drawn up the petition to express anger at the Rump's failure to reform.

Describe the Committee of Safety

Operating from October to late December 1659, the committee was set up by the Council of Officers as a provisional government but it was not a truly revolutionary regime.

What did Monck do?

Even with such moderation, Monck defected and declared his support for the Rump to be reinstated.

What date was the Rump reinstated?

26th December 1659, by three regiments of the army who did not agree with Lambert's stance.

What bought Monck into England?

The collapse of the Committee of Safety, followed by Portsmouth's declaration in support of the Rump and Fairfax's action. He returned to England on 1st January 1660.

How did Monck begin the process of restoration?

Monck forced the purged MPs from 1648 back into the Rump. This in effect formed the original Long Parliament, which dissolved itself on 16th March 1660 to allow 'free elections.'

What did county petitions call for?

A free Parliament: one elected without voting restrictions to prevent Royalists and conservatives from being elected.

How was Cromwell successful?

Cromwell was successful in achieving settlement, with his Protectorate lasting until he died. This was remarkable considering the narrow support base for Interregnum regimes. Furthermore, restoration had not been seriously considered before his death, apart from the 'civilian monarchy' with Cromwell as king.

What did Cromwell fail to achieve?

He did not achieve a lasting settlement that would outlive him. Army and parliament divisions remained during the Interregnum and deepened as Cromwell became increasingly conservative. His conservatism is shown in his acceptance of the 1657 Petition, yet he was not conservative enough for the traditional gentry.

What was the impact of Interregnum internal instability?

This meant that Cromwell was unable to negotiate a remarkably successful settlement due to the conflicting ideas of the army and government.

What was the impact of divisions?

With increasing divisions between groups within the Interregnum regimes, it was harder to overcome the hostility of the Political Nation. The greater division after September 1658 merely ensued a further conservative reaction in search of the stability that a Restoration would offer.