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Oliver Cromwell creates the New Model Army
This was a regularly paid, disciplined force with extremely dedicated Puritan soldiers. By 1648, the king was defeated, and in the following year, Cromwell made the momentous decision to execute the king, a move that horrified most of the nation. -
The Commonwealth, 1649 to 1660
The creation of this republic lead to military dictatorship by Cromwell. Conflicts between the Independents & Presbyterians and the Levellers & Differs called for a complete overhaul of English society. -
“Instrument of Government”
A group of army officers wrote this constitution that provided for a republican government (the Protectorate) with a head of state holding the title Lord Protector and parliament based on a fairly wide male suffrage. Cromwell headed this government, but found Parliament difficult to control. -
The Return of the Stuarts
Charles II became monarch in 1660, turning back the clock to 1642. This raised questions about the nature of English affairs: What is the proper relationship between king and Parliament? What should be the religious direction of the Church of England? James II replaced Charles II in 1685. -
The Rule of James II & the Glorious Revolution
James II was suspected of being a Catholic. He wanted England to achieve royal absolutism. He imprisoned Anglican bishops and fathered a child who was raised Catholic. These moves led Protestants to unify in revolt. One faction of this elite invited William, the Stadholder to invade England. This became known as the Glorious Revolution. James II was overthrown, and William and Mary overtook the throne. -
Constitutional Settlements of 1689
The Bill of Rights, The Act of Toleration, and the Mutiny Act set the precedents for a constitutional monarchy. -
Constitutional Settlements of 1701 and 1707
The Act of Settlement and Act of Union reunified England and helped solidify as a limited monarchy
