Rump to OC

• The Rump Parliament

  On 4th January, remaining MPs known as the Rump returned. In March of 49 the HofL was abolished and England declared to be a Commonwealth governed by a single-chamber party
• The failure of the Rump

  Fundamental issue facing the new regime. The "revolution" was the work of a radical minority, who needed wider support. Running the country required active cooperation. They needed to calm fears about instability. Most of those fears came from the Army
• The Army had been putting down threats during the first years of the new regime-against Royalists and Levellers. Since many of the higher gentry had refused to cooperate with the new regime, government positions were filled by the lower gentry. Charles II attempted invasion in 1652 had little support and showed that there was potentially room for more support
• 2 factors prevented the Rump from providing stability

  • Proposed reforms involved complex areas of law that could not be agreed on. The High Commission was set up in 1651 to investigate reform but it's recommendations were never adopted
  • Necessity to maintain a large standing army, the maintenance of which was expensive and led to high taxation. Without reliable support from the political nation, the army could not be disbanded. Unless the Army was disbanded, that reliable support would not be forthcoming
• Irish Campaign (1649-1651)


  Cromwell landed in Ireland in August of 1649, expecting a swift victory, but only achieved success until the controversial stormings of Drogheda and Wexford. He returned in 1650 and left Ireton to finish the job.
• Scottish Campaign (1650)

  Cromwell then went to suppress the Scots. The Covenanters and Parliament had been allies, but this had broken up when Charles was executed. After Charles was made King in Scotland, they assembled an army to invade England. In September, Cromwell defeated them at Dunbar. Charles tried again in 1651 but was defeated Worcester
• The First Anglo-Dutch War (1652-'54) also took it's toll on the treasury. In order to pay for warships, a monthly assessment was raised to 90k. This was now as much as Charles' entire revenue
• Why did Cromwell dissolve the Rump?

  Oliver Cromwell dissolved the Rump Parliament on April 20, 1653, for several reasons rooted in political, ideological, and practical concerns
• Reasons for dissolving the Rump Parliament

  • Ineffectiveness and Corruption
  • Failure to Implement Reforms
  • Religious Disputes
  • Desire for a Stable Government
  • Military Influence
  • Personal Power and Ambition
• Ineffectiveness and Corruption

  Cromwell and his supporters believed that the Rump Parliament had become ineffective and corrupt. They were frustrated with its inability to pass significant reforms and felt that its members were more interested in maintaining their own power and privileges than in serving the interests of the nation.
• Failure to Implement Reforms

  Despite the promise of reform following the execution of Charles I and the establishment of the Commonwealth, the Rump Parliament had made little progress on crucial issues such as legal reform, electoral reform, and the redistribution of power. Cromwell and his allies were disappointed by this lack of progress.
• Religious Disputes

  The Rump Parliament was divided over religious issues. While some members supported a more Presbyterian form of church governance, others favored more radical sects. Cromwell, a devout Puritan, was dissatisfied with the Rump's handling of religious matters and its failure to create a more godly society.
• Desire for a Stable Government


  Cromwell sought a more stable and effective government that could bring about lasting peace and reform. He believed that the Rump Parliament, with its persistent internal conflicts and lack of broad support, was incapable of providing the stable leadership needed.
• Military Influence


  The army, which had been a crucial force in the success of the English Civil War, was increasingly at odds with the Rump Parliament. Many army officers, including Cromwell, felt that the Rump did not adequately represent their interests or the interests of the people. The army's dissatisfaction played a significant role in Cromwell's decision to dissolve the Parliament.
• Personal Power and Ambition

  While Cromwell's primary motivations were likely rooted in his desire for effective governance and reform, some historians argue that his personal ambition and desire for power also played a role. Dissolving the Rump allowed Cromwell to assume greater control and eventually led to his establishment of the Protectorate, where he ruled as Lord Protector.