English Civil War
Causes
Charles did not rule according to the law is the cause most responsible for the English Civil War. This is an underlying cause since it developed over a long period of time(1625-1642). The influence this had in causing the civil war is obvious. This is because many of the other causes wouldn’t have happened if Charles did rule according to the law. There are three other causes that fit under this cause. Charles obtaining money without Parliaments consent and Charles invading the House of Commons are both illegal. Charles advisors were also unpopular because of all Charles’ bad decisions. This means that four out of the main five causes fit under Charles not ruling according to the law. The direction of the event also would’ve been altered if Charles did in fact rule according to the law. The people of England and Cromwell would have most likely been happy with the outcome of events and even look up to the king. But because Charles did not rule according to the law, people resented him and Cromwell wanted Parliament to rule instead of having the Monarchy System. As you can see the English Civil War may not have occurred is this cause was not present.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Five_Members
Components
The three most significant components of the English Civil War were the Solemn League and Covenant, the Battle of Naseby, and Charles surrendered. Without these components the course of the event could’ve changed. The Solemn League and Covenant was significant because it secured the alliance of the Presbyterian Scots. Scottish aid was obtained by a promise to submit England to Presbyterianism, which soon produced a reaction from the independents and sectarians(especially in the army). These groups of people did not like the idea of a national church which caused more tension. If Parliament did not accept this then the Scots wouldn’t have allied with them and a possible war or battle could have taken place. The Battle of Naseby was the real turning point or climax of the civil war. It was a turning point because it cost the king a large part of his army and caused hopelessness for the royalists. Without the Battle of Naseby, the royalists may have had more man-power and could have won other battles. Charles surrendering to the Scots shaped the course of the event because it sped up the process of the civil war ending. If Charles did not surrender it would have taken longer to capture him and the civil war would’ve continued on longer. All three of these components shaped the course of the civil war and without them the civil war could’ve resulted in a different outcome.
Consequences
Charles on trial was the most significant consequence of the English Civil War. This had a large impact on the civil war and it’s other consequences. The trial against Charles had major impact since a trial against the king had never happened before. The extent of the impact shaped the way England saw the Monarchy system and Parliament. Immediate effects of this included a change of perspective viewing Parliament. This is because the trial also showed that Parliament did in fact play a huge role in the government and it should not be out ruled by the king. Another immediate effect was that Charles was sentenced to death. Without the trial, the execution wouldn’t have happened, which is why the trial is more significant than the actual execution of Charles. This consequence also had long term effects that shaped the way England ruled from this point on. A long term effect is that kings/monarchs never had as much power as they once had. Because Charles got put on trial, it showed that the king doesn’t have as much power as everyone thought they had. From this point on monarchs never gained as much power as they once had. It allowed Parliament to be more involved in the decisions relating to the government. Parliament, the Army, and Cromwell establishing a new government(republic) also wouldn’t have happened if Charles was not put on trial, which lead to his execution. As you can see Charles on trial had a huge impact on England and the English Civil War which is why this consequence is the most significant.
Cromwell and the Republic 1649-1661
The Instrument of Government appoints Cromwell Lord Protector and the Blue Laws are imposed are the two most significant components/events. These components are the most significant because they shaped the course of the event and it may have resulted in a different outcome without these two components. The government appointing Cromwell Lord Protector had a major impact. Lord Protector has very similar powers as the king. This gave Cromwell lots of power and he essentially went through the civil war to get rid of the kind to become one with a different title. The immediate effect of this that Cromwell had the authority to do what he wanted. Because of this, he created the Blue Laws which was the other most significant component from this period of time. The Blue Laws were very strict laws that went against other religions beliefs. They closed theatres, prohibited horse races, cockfighting, wrestling, and bear and bull baiting. The Blue Laws also disapproved of music and art with some exceptions. Wednesday was a day of fast while on Sunday shops were closed and no games, sports, or business were allowed. As you can see these laws were very binding and strict, which upset both Parliament and the people of England. The Blue Laws were also the climax because it was when Parliament decided to make a change. Without the Blue Laws Parliament wouldn’t have invited Prince Charles to return to England which also happens to be a long term effect of the Blue Laws. Both these events were very significant as you can see and without them it would have resulted in a different outcome.
Charles II and Restoration of the Monarchy 1661-1685
The component/event that was most significant is Parliament establishes Charles II as a constitutional monarch. This component was the most significant because without Charles II becoming a constitutional monarch he wouldn’t have been able to make any of the changes he made. Charles becoming a constitutional monarch shaped the course of the event. He eliminated the Blue Laws which were extremely unpopular with most people in England. The only reason Charles could do this was because he now had the authority to because he was a monarch. Charles also punished the regicides involved in the execution of his father. Once again, Charles becoming a monarch allowed him to do this. Remember that Charles did not have absolute power because he ruled with Parliament. Even so, if Charles was not a monarch this might not have happened until later on. Parliament also passing the Test Act was caused by Charles becoming a monarch. This was because Charles tried to protect the religious freedom of Catholics which made Parliament want to indicate that they had power over Charles. The immediate impact or effect Charles had was pleasing the people of England. The people of England now had more rights and the strict laws were eliminated from their lives. The long term impact effect was that England restored some of their humanity and it continued on to the Glorious Revolution. As you can see, Charles II becoming a constitutional monarch was the most significant component of this period of time because it may have resulted in a different outcome.
James II and the Glorious Revolution 1685-1689
Parliament inviting Mary and William to be queen and king of England and the Bill of Rights were the most significant components/events. These were the most significant events because they both shaped the course of the event and had a major impact. James II abdicating the throne was also significant, but Parliament inviting Mary and William was even more so because without the invitation, James II would’t have abdicated the throne or maybe not as soon as he did. Because James II abdicated the throne, Mary and William ascent to the throne. This was the immediate effect of these events. Parliament also caused this because they were the ones who took the step to invite Mart and William. It was the first time the monarch was chosen by Parliament not hereditary right. This was a turning point because it has never happened before which is why it’s so significant. The Bill of Rights was the other most significant component. The Bill of Rights set limits to the power of the monarch and indicated the rights of Parliament. This had a huge impact on England as it indicated that Parliament was supreme and the real government of the country. The Bill of Rights was also another turning point because of its indication that Parliament was supreme. Both of these components were significant because without them it would’ve resulted in a different outcome.
