English Civil War 1625-1649

Cause: Charles I Did Not Rule According to the Law 1625-1642

This man was put in a pillory for speaking his mind. https://lovelyoldtree.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/defoe-pillory.jpg

I believe this was the biggest cause because it created a wall between parliament and the King. If Charles ruled according to the law many of the other events wouldn’t have happened. He obtained money without Parliament’s consent and his advisors were unpopular because they didn’t ensure he obeyed the laws other Kings followed. Charles upset many people and broke many laws, so Parliament was forced to pass the Grand Remonstrance, which took away some of his power. After this Charles invaded the House of Commons in attempt to gain back his power. If Charles had just ruled according to the law in the first place none of these other events would have happened.

Component: Solemn League and Covenant September 25 1643

A page from the Solemn League and Covenant. http://reformationhistory.org/solemnleagueandcovenantireland.html

Parliament made an alliance with the Scots to secure military help, which they needed to defeat Charles I. Once they merged together they could take Charles’ power away. This alliance created a strong force leaving no chance for Charles and his army. This union gave them the extra advantage they needed and they couldn’t have faced Charles without it.

Component: Battle of Naseby June 14 1645

An interpretation of the Battle of Naseby. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Battle_of_naseby

This was a key battle and was really significant to the Civil war. The new model army, led by Oliver Cromwell, was more successful than the previous army. Cromwell was very skilled and led a powerful army that changed the course of the outcome from the battle. This battle was very beneficial because it’s when people saw that the royalist army (led by Charles) could be defeated. “The battle cost the King a large part of his army and rendered the royalist cause hopeless.”

Component: Charles Surrenders May 1646

When Charles surrenders. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Surrender_of_Lord_Cornwallis.jpg

Charles surrendered May 1646 after the previous battle, the Battle of Naseby. This was significant because it led to Charles being put on trial in court and concluded in him being executed. This showed the people of England that the King was not above the law and could be brought down by Parliament. This proved that the King isn’t and never will be invincible to law and rights.

Consequence: Charles on Trial January 20-23 1649

Charles on trial in court. https://earlofmanchesters.wordpress.com/

This event had a major impact in history for both the short term and the long term. It proved that no one could rule without Parliament by their side which is how we are today. In court Charles questioned Parliament’s authority and they made the decision to execute him. After Charles’ death they were to establish a new government or leader. Without this trial Charles would have kept disobeying the law and Civil Wars might have continued. The trial of Charles showed the people of England that you can’t rule against or without Parliament and that he didn’t have power over everything.

Cromwell and the Republic 1649-1661

Instrument of Government Appoints Cromwell Lord Protector December 15 1653

Cromwell refuses to become King and becomes Lord Protector. http://world4.eu/oliver-cromwell-the-protector/#content

Oliver Cromwell is elected Lord Protector on December 15 1653. Cromwell had strong religious beliefs as a leader and as an everyday citizen. He was a Puritan and his goal was to convert people to Puritan. Having Cromwell as Lord Protector for this period of time was very significant to the Glorious Revolution because it helped people realize they wanted a Monarch not a Lord Protector. After Cromwell England went back to a Monarchy and this is where we are today.

Blue Laws are Imposed April 1655

The Blue Laws. http://righteousnessislove.org/return-of-the-blue-laws-video

The Blue Laws angered the people of England because they majored in Puritan beliefs. Things such as Christmas and Easter were prohibited as well as other Catholic beliefs. When Charles was ruling England he would decorate Puritan churches. This act put Cromwell over the edge and now he is repeating history by forcing Puritan beliefs on all of England. Many people of England disliked Cromwell for those reasons.

Charles II and Restoration of the Monarchy 1661-1685

Parliament Establishes Charles II as a Constitutional Monarch May 1 1660

Charles II is made constitutional monarch. http://blogs.uab.cat/historyandculture2011/2011/10/21/bvbv/

Parliaments idea of restoring the monarchy and inviting Prince Charles to become King was a very popular decision. Only Puritans were pleased with the Blue Laws and the way Cromwell was ruling. People of England did not want a military dictatorship anymore and were unpleased with the lack of Parliament. They made the decision of making Charles a constitutional monarch which meant his powers were limited, he must follow the law, and he had to govern with Parliament. Unlike his father, Charles II had to govern by these rules which created a more successful country.

James II and the Glorious Revolution 1685-1689

Parliament Invites Mary and William to be Queen and King of England June 30 1688

Mary and William being declared Queen and King of England. http://imgarcade.com/1/william-iii-and-mary-ii/

Parliament invites Mary and William to rule England to replace James as they were simply fed up with him. James II violated the test act and Parliament was ready to finally get a constitutional monarchy. This was a turning point in the revolution because Parliament had power over the monarchy. If they had stuck to the original custom and went to the next person in line they might have tried to restore the blue laws or turn against Parliament. This is why Parliament asked Mary and William to rule beside them and here starts the constitutional monarchy.

Mary and William Agree to the Bill of Rights December 1688

The Bill of Rights. http://historycorner1.blogspot.ca/2014/04/the-glorious-revolution-english-bill-of.html

Mary and William agree to the Bill of Rights which set limits to the power of the monarch and stated the rights of Parliament. This document created a lasting peace and made them accomplish their goal of a constitutional monarchy. It gave Parliament a lot of power over the army and decision making included Parliament as well. The Bill of Rights was extremely significant in that it meant Parliament was supreme. This event changed the course of the future and made the Glorious Revolution happen.

This film helped me get a better understanding of the English Civil War. Most of the causes were represented effectively and accurately throughout the film. Seeing the film was more beneficial to me than just reading through the text book.

Is V more of a freedom fighter or a terrorist?

I believe V is a freedom fighter because of the following reasons.

He was fighting against a Government that was restricting the freedom of people and spying on them. This Government had lied about how the St Mary’s virus started and in fact had started it itself to take control of the country. They put anyone who was different (Muslims, homosexuals, immigrants and political opponents) into concentration camps and tortured and killed them.

V did not terrorize the general public and only hurt the people that were involved in the torture and killing of innocent people. V encouraged people to rise up against a fascist government using peaceful protest.

In conclusion, from the perspective this movie was taken, I view V as a freedom fighter.