Disliked until the beginning of the 19th century, admired ever since, historians have tried for centuries to understand the ruler of the only Republic of England. Either seen as a dictator or an admirable leader, Oliver Cromwell is certainly a controversial figure. His use of military force is quite opposed to his ideology of religion toleration. And indeed, faith was a very important matter in Cromwell’s political life. We might wonder if his time at the head of the Commonwealth was crowned with success despite the difficult transition to democracy. But first we need to define what success means: popularity among his people and his government, the application of laws he has established, being respected abroad, but most importantly success
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At its head, Cromwell who got the title of ‘the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland’ had been appointed for life. He had the most power out of the three but needed the advice and approval of the others to govern. He had no control over the taxation or the army for example.
Before all, he was a military leader as indicates his motto ‘Pax quaeritur bello’. During his time at the head of England, he made political choices that did not please everyone, and most of them were influenced by his strong religious beliefs, which show in his speeches full of references to the Bible.
Moreover, he was a dynamic leader, and attended more meetings than many kings would ever do in Great Britain. Sometimes he did not take time to eat in-between meetings, proving how dedicated he was to solve his nation’s issues. His personality and his enthusiasm to rule the Commonwealth as fairly as he could were enough to give him certain popularity, although he was still seen by other as an ambitious …show more content…
To do so, he tried to gather a government as diverse as possible, admitting other religions in the Parliament. His council was mainly composed of military leaders, showing the other side of his politics. He also settled a hierarchy based on merit: he would promote people based on their abilities to handle their role and not based on their position in society. It was supposedly a fairer system but Cromwell tended to promote friends and family, for example in the Upper House he opened in Parliament in 1656.
Oliver Cromwell always stated he did not seek to be at the head of the Commonwealth: ‘I speak it before God, angels and men, I did not’ , saying it was the members of the Parliament who had asked him to. If it is true, it still did not prevent them from not getting along with the Lord Protector. As stated earlier, the Parliament had some powers he didn’t have, and he did not interfere with their decisions, but he would still criticise their actions after they were done to the discontentment of the MPs. He was too confident they shared his political and religious
At its head, Cromwell who got the title of ‘the Lord Protector of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland’ had been appointed for life. He had the most power out of the three but needed the advice and approval of the others to govern. He had no control over the taxation or the army for example.
Before all, he was a military leader as indicates his motto ‘Pax quaeritur bello’. During his time at the head of England, he made political choices that did not please everyone, and most of them were influenced by his strong religious beliefs, which show in his speeches full of references to the Bible.
Moreover, he was a dynamic leader, and attended more meetings than many kings would ever do in Great Britain. Sometimes he did not take time to eat in-between meetings, proving how dedicated he was to solve his nation’s issues. His personality and his enthusiasm to rule the Commonwealth as fairly as he could were enough to give him certain popularity, although he was still seen by other as an ambitious …show more content…
To do so, he tried to gather a government as diverse as possible, admitting other religions in the Parliament. His council was mainly composed of military leaders, showing the other side of his politics. He also settled a hierarchy based on merit: he would promote people based on their abilities to handle their role and not based on their position in society. It was supposedly a fairer system but Cromwell tended to promote friends and family, for example in the Upper House he opened in Parliament in 1656.
Oliver Cromwell always stated he did not seek to be at the head of the Commonwealth: ‘I speak it before God, angels and men, I did not’ , saying it was the members of the Parliament who had asked him to. If it is true, it still did not prevent them from not getting along with the Lord Protector. As stated earlier, the Parliament had some powers he didn’t have, and he did not interfere with their decisions, but he would still criticise their actions after they were done to the discontentment of the MPs. He was too confident they shared his political and religious