Politicisation of the army & 2nd civil war 1647-49

• Who were the levellers and what did they want?

  They were a radical group who wanted ;

  1. To reform society and make it fairer.
  2. Extension of franchise.
  3. Freedom of worship for everyone except the Catholics.
• The levellers were supported by the army and had a great impact on them making them develop their own ideas.
• The army was dominated by independents who believed in decentralised control of the church.
• Parliament became worried by the demands of the army and tried to raise a new army alongside exclude independent MPs from parliament.
• In August 1647, the new model army marched into London and reinstated the independent MPs that had been dismissed from parliament. This shows that parliament no longer saw itself as a servant of parliament.
• In October 1647, the new model army met at Putney to debate on their wants.
• What was debated at the Putney debates?


  The levellers represented by Thomas Rainsborough demanded religious freedom and an extension on franchise to all adult males.

  The grandees represented by Henry Ireton disagreed on the ground that the army fought the war to preserve society and to overthrow it. They also said they believed politics should be limited to males with property.
• What ended the Putney debates?


  News that Charles had escaped from captivity at Hampton Court.
• What was the significance of the Putney debates?


  It symbolised the people taking power into their own hands.
• In August 1648, the army defeated the Scots after they invaded England in April 1648 and triggered the second civil wars.
• At Windsor, 20 November, the army presented a remonstrance written by Ireton which stated that Charles should be brought to justice for starting the second civil war.
• On 26 December 1647, Charles had joined forces with the Scots. He promised them a Presbyterian church in return for military assistance starting the second civil war.
• What was the pride's purge?


  On 5 December, Thomas pride and the army surrounded the commons and excluded 186 MPs and arrested 45 more who wanted negotiations with the king leaving the RUMP parliament.
• What was Charles found guilty for?


  The High Court of Justice tried Charles and found him guilty of treason on 27 January 1649.
• When was Charles beheaded?


  On 30 of January 1649.
• What happened after Charles was executed?


  Acts to abolish the monarchy and the lords was passed and leveller leaders were arrested.
• Parliament sent 4 bills similar to the Newcastle propositions to the king as a final demand for settlement.
• Cromwell believed that Charles had betrayed the trust of his people and God by starting the second civil war.
• In April 1648, the Levellers published their manifesto 'the agreement of people'.