Chapter 14: Securing the Republic

• Republic?

  A society in which power is held by the people, not a monarch
• The nature of the new republic?

  Defensive and reactive
• How was Cromwell ideologically schizophrenic?

  He fluctuated between conservatism and radicalism
• Tension between the Rump and the New Model Army?

  The Rump regarded itself as the legitimate power, however the army held real force
• Event of February 1649?

  The Rump voted to abolish monarchy, formally creating a republic
• 1650 engagement act?

  Forced all adult males to swear loyalty to the Commonwealth
• 1650 treason act?

  Made it illegal to deny the authority of the Commons
• Actions of the Scottish Covenanters after the regicide?

  They immediately declared Charles Stuart as Charles II of Scotland, which prompted Cromwell to invade Scotland
• Fairfax's role after the regicide?

  He was concerned by the army's radicalisation, and stood down as the army's commander-in-chief
• Cromwell's weakness at the start of the Dunbar campaign?

  His forces began to desert him, he was outnumbered, and the Scots had took on defensible position
• Dunbar?

  Cromwell defeated an army twice as large as his own, which Cromwell blamed on God. England also had a stronger economy and better naval access
• Who took charge of the Scottish army after Dunbar?

  Charles Stuart
• Why did Cromwell invade Ireland?

  Some Irish people supported Charles Stuart. Cromwell wanted to punish the Irish for the 1641 rebellion, and exploit them financially
• Main sites of Cromwell's 1649-1650 campaign?

  The sieges of Drogheda and Wexford were particularly brutal. After Cromwell left Ireland in May 1650, Ireton took charge
• Aim of Charles' invasion in 1651?

  He wanted to use 20,000 Scottish troops to reclaim the English throne. He hoped to take advantage of the disillusionment with the republican regime in England
• Problems with Charles' invasion of England?

  One third of his troops deserted him, he attracted little support from the English, many royalists plots were foiled in the build-up to the invasion, and Charles had no foreign aid
• Campaign at Worcester?

  A long campaign. The New Model Army were initially outnumbered, but they stalled for long enough to overwhelm Charles
• Consequences of Cromwell's victories in Ireland and Scotland?

  Secured the short term power of the Rump, and cast Cromwell as the dominant figure of this era. It also further enforced the religious conviction of the New Model Army