The English Revolution

The English Civil War

Causes:

Charles I did not rule according to the law: 1625-1642

In English history, The Magna Carta, is a document stating that everyone including the king was subject to the law and must follow it. However, this was ignored by Charles as he did not rule according to the law. Charles believed in absolute power and that a king had to answer to no one but god. Because of this, he did not believe in freedom of speech. Any who opposed him by writing letters criticizing the government would be held in trial. Charles would use the Court of Star Chamber (that was held in secret) to illegally convict his enemies and would put them in Pillories where they would bu tortured and humiliated in front of a crowd. Lastly, if he ruled According to the law, many of the other causes may have not been present. Because of his actions, he may have been granted money for the war against the Scots, and he may have not be asked to sign the Grand Remonstrance which angered him into invading parliament.

Components:

Solemn League and Covenant: 1643

King Charles at the time was not in a good relationship with the Scots. He had introduced new religious practices which angered the Scots into declaring war. Because of this, Charles needed to worry about both Scots and Parliament. Parliament took advantage of this created an alliance with the Scots by signing the Solemn League and Covenant which was to introduce Presbyterianism to England. This really benefited Parliament in defeating Charles in battle. This was significant because  it shaped the course of the event and would have resulted in a different outcome.

New model army: 1645

Cromwell organized a new improved army to replace the old and unreliable one in the form of New Model Army. This was an important component because it shaped the course of the event and would completely result in a different outcome because this army one them the Battle of Naseby which was the turning point in the English Civil war. The New Model army was a very much improved army from its previous counterpart. It was said to have 6600 soldiers on horse, 14400 soldiers on foot, and 1000 mounted infantry. If it was not for this new army, parliament may have not won the Civil war.

Battle of Naseby: 1645

This was the most significant component to the English civil war because it is the turning point and would have resulted in a different outcome. Before this loss to the royalists, there was nothing that showed ether the Roundheads or the Cavaliers had any advantage during this war. Because of this important battle, Charles I lost a large part of his army which lead to his downfall. If this battle did not take place, Charles would still have a chance to defeat parliament.

Consequences:

Cromwell establishes a new government: 1649

After Charles’s death, the country went to chaos. During this time, Cromwell kept order and probably prevented another civil war. However, Cromwell wanted change and established a republic in England. This is the most significant consequence because the extent of the impact and the long term effects were severe. After the establishment, Cromwell dismissed parliament and was declared Lord Protector by the army because he refused to be king. During his reign, Cromwell changed England into a military dictatorship where England was divided into districts. The country did not improve the way most thought it would and when Cromwell died, England was relieved to have Charles II become king of England.

Cromwell and The Republic: 1649-1661

Components:

Instrument of Government appoints Cromwell Lord Protector: 1653

Cromwell is appointed Lord Protector is a significant component because there is an immediate impact and the long term effects are present. He did not want to become king but being Lord Protector gave him similar powers to a king. Cromwell was a Puritan and was very opinionated about how to do things. Because of this, he eventually made England a republic and Cromwell became a military dictator. He established the Puritan Commission and the Blue Laws which imposed Puritans moral and social order in England. By doing this, they close theaters, prohibited many sports and leisure activities, got rid of a lot of music and paintings, made Wednesday a fastening day, and closed down everything on Sundays. This made many to get rid of Cromwell and restore a monarchy.

 General Monck recalls Parliament and invites Charles II to be king: 1660

After the death of Cromwell, the country once again went to chaos. There was the potential for another civil war until General Monck storms England and invites Charles II to become king of England. This component was significant because it shaped the course of the event, it would have resulted in a different outcome, there is an immediate impact, and the impact was giant. Because of this, Charles II restored monarchy and undid the terrible doings of Oliver Cromwell like, for example, eliminating the blue laws.

Charles II and Restoration of the Monarchy: 1661-1685

Components:

Parliament establishes Charles II as a constitutional monarch:  1660

Charles II is invited to become king by General Monck after storming England to bring it back to order. Parliament decided to appoint Charles as a Constitutional Monarch (must work with parliament to rule England) which was a popular decision. This event was significant because this shaped the course of the event, would have resulted in a different outcome, it represents the turning point, it was a huge immediate impact, and the extent of the impact in long term which continues today. Charles II, restoring monarchy, got rid of the republic and eliminated the blue laws (which imposed Puritans moral and social order).  However, he could not stop some of the laws being passed by government. The Test Act was introduced to prevent Catholics getting government positions and made it hard for Charles to make Catholics equal. He also created a lot of conflict that could have been prevented. He had many mistresses and would then have children with them but not his wife. This created a lot of conflict in the family as there was no true heir to the throne. Next, for punishment of his fathers death, he executed many members of parliament who signed Charles I death warrant, and dug up Cromwell’s body where he beheaded the skeleton. He later would also create an alliance with France (which was a good idea) but in return would promise to become a catholic. He would withhold this information from the country which would turn for the worst. Before Charles died, he admitted he was a catholic and announced his brother James (also a catholic) would become his successor.

James II and the Glorious Revolution 1685-1689

Components:

Parliament invites Mary and William to be queen and king of England: 1688

After Charles II death, there was conflict on who would become the next monarch. This would eventually result in James II, Charles I youngest son, becoming king. Parliament was unhappy with this because James was a catholic. James spread a reign of terror to those who opposed him and wanted to overthrow him. He also appointed Catholics to government positions which violated the Test Act. Parliament had enough. They went to James’s daughter Mary and her husband William and invited them to overthrow James and become king and queen. They agreed and stormed England with an army. This frightened James and he left the throne. This lead to Mary and William to the throne and eventually became King and Queen of England. This was a significant component because there is an immediate impact, it shaped the course of the event, it would resulted in a different outcome, it represented the climax to the reign of James I bloodline.

Mary and William agree to the Bill of Rights: 1689

Before becoming king and queen of England, Mary and William were asked to sign the Bill of Rights by parliament. This was to limit the power of the monarch and indicated the rights of parliament. This may have been the most significant component in the English Revolution because it indicates that parliament is supreme and the real government to the country, there was an immediate affect, the long tern effects are very much present lasting to today, and it represented the climax.