Introduction to the English Civil War.

1. THE ENGLISH CIVIL WAR

2. REVIEW
 How did the French kings establish absolute rule?
 Two English kings, James I and Charles I, were admirers of Louis XIV
 Tried to establish more absolutist rule, but with very different results….

3. CHARLES I (R. 1625-1649)
 Absolutist political beliefs—showed
little respect for Parliament
 Religious beliefs:Traditional Anglican
 Seen as betraying the Reformation by
the Puritans (stricter Protestants)
 Imposed English customs on the
Scottish church—resentment
 Rebellion in Ireland—fear among
Protestant English

4. CIVILWAR BEGINS—1642
 Conflict over who should control the
army—the king or Parliament?
 Fighting broke out between the
Royalists and the Parliamentarians
 Royalists (or Cavaliers): traditional
Anglicans; nobles; northern England
andWales
 Parliamentarians (Roundheads):
Radical Anglicans (Puritans);
merchants and craftsmen; southern
England

6. THE COMMONWEALTH
 Oliver Cromwell and his Parliamentarian army defeated Royalist forces in 1645
 1649: Parliament convicted King Charles of treason and executed him
 England was now a republic or commonwealth
 Parliament ruled, but faced increasing problems in governing the country

7. CROMWELL’S RULE
 Oliver Cromwell held England
together as Lord Protector (military
dictator)
 Clever politician—popular with many
in England, especially Puritans
 Problems:
 Puritan ministers passed strict laws—no
more Christmas!
 Cromwell was hated in Ireland and
Scotland for massacres committed
during his invasions

8. END OFTHE REVOLUTION
 Cromwell died in 1658: his son Richard took over, but was
incompetent
 1660: Parliament invited Charles II to return to England and take
the throne
 England would never again be a republic
 But, Parliament had new power after the CivilWar
 If kings don’t rule through divine right, why do we have
governments?
 Hobbes and Locke