‘Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Level
A Level
Year Examined
2022
Topic
The English Revolution, 1625–1660
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‘Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658.’ Assess the validity of this view.
Cromwell's Lord Protectorship: Success or Failure?
The years between 1653 and 1658, during which Oliver Cromwell ruled England as Lord Protector, were a period of significant change and upheaval. Whether Cromwell ultimately achieved his aims during this period is a complex question with no easy answer. This essay will argue that while Cromwell achieved a degree of success in establishing stability and pursuing his vision of godly rule, his ultimate failure to create a lasting political and religious settlement demonstrates the significant challenges he faced.
Arguments for Cromwell's Failure
One perspective argues that Cromwell's Lord Protectorship was ultimately a failure. This argument emphasizes the numerous challenges Cromwell faced and his inability to fully achieve his ambitious goals. Firstly, Cromwell struggled to establish a harmonious relationship with Parliament. Both the Protectorate Parliaments of 1654 and 1656 ended in acrimony and dissolution, highlighting the deep divisions within the political nation regarding Cromwell's authority and policies. The Humble Petition and Advice of 1657, while accepted by Cromwell, demonstrated Parliament's desire to limit his power and reassert its own role in governance.
Secondly, Cromwell's attempts to achieve religious reformation faced significant obstacles. Despite the implementation of the Cromwellian Church and the system of Triers and Ejectors, aimed at promoting a broader form of Protestantism, religious tensions remained high. The Nayler Crisis, for example, exposed the limits of Cromwell's tolerance and the ongoing challenges posed by radical groups like the Fifth Monarchists. The Major-Generals, appointed to enforce moral reform and maintain order, ultimately proved unpopular and fueled a conservative backlash, as evidenced by the 1656 elections.
Finally, the political instability following Cromwell's death in 1658 and the subsequent Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 can be interpreted as a sign of his failure to establish a lasting political order. His inability to create a clear succession plan and the lingering resentment towards his rule created a power vacuum that ultimately led to the return of the very system he had sought to dismantle.
Arguments for Cromwell's Success
However, focusing solely on Cromwell's failures provides an incomplete picture of his Protectorship. A counter-argument suggests that, within the context of the tumultuous times, Cromwell achieved a measure of success. Firstly, he managed to maintain his grip on power for the entirety of his rule. Despite facing threats from Royalists, foreign powers, and even radical elements within his own ranks, Cromwell successfully navigated these challenges and died in office. This demonstrates his political acumen and his ability to consolidate power, fulfilling his aim of serving as a divinely appointed ruler.
Furthermore, Cromwell oversaw a period of relative religious toleration. While he aimed for a godly nation, he also recognized the need for pragmatism and allowed a wider range of Protestant denominations to exist than ever before. This approach, while imperfect and facing opposition from both traditionalists and radicals, represented a significant departure from the religious uniformity enforced under the monarchy.
Moreover, Cromwell achieved notable successes in foreign policy. The Anglo-Dutch War, despite its economic cost, cemented England's naval dominance. Victories in the Anglo-Spanish War enhanced England's international standing. These successes further solidified Cromwell's authority and provided a source of national pride.
A Nuanced Perspective
Ultimately, assessing Cromwell's Lord Protectorship requires a nuanced perspective. While he failed to achieve his grand vision of a godly, reformed nation and establish a lasting political settlement, he also presided over a period of relative stability and made significant strides in areas like religious toleration and foreign policy. His successes must be contextualized within the challenges he inherited: a fractured nation still reeling from civil war and deeply divided along religious and political lines.
Cromwell's failure stemmed partly from the inherent contradictions within his own aims. He was torn between his radical religious convictions and his pragmatic political instincts, evident in his handling of the Nominated Assembly, the Major-Generals, and even the offer of the crown. While he achieved a degree of success by balancing these competing impulses, the inherent tension ultimately contributed to the instability of his regime.
In conclusion, while Cromwell's Lord Protectorship ultimately ended in failure marked by the Restoration, simply labeling it as such ignores the complexities of the period. Cromwell, operating within a highly volatile political and religious landscape, achieved significant successes in maintaining power, expanding religious toleration, and asserting England's international influence. His failure to create a lasting settlement highlights the near-impossible task he faced in healing and uniting a deeply divided nation still grappling with the legacy of civil war.
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Cromwell’s Protectorate: Success or Failure?
This essay will assess the validity of the view that "Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658." It will explore arguments both supporting and challenging this assertion, considering Cromwell’s achievements and failures in the context of the complex political and religious landscape of the time.
Arguments Supporting Failure
Several factors suggest Cromwell's Protectorate fell short of his ambitions.
Parliamentary Relations:
Cromwell’s tumultuous relationships with both Protectorate Parliaments point to his inability to establish stable political foundations. The dissolution of the first Parliament in 1655 and the contentious debate surrounding the Humble Petition and Advice in 1657 signify his struggles to find common ground with Parliament.
Religious Reformation:
The Major-Generals, tasked with religious and social reform, failed to achieve widespread support. This led to a conservative backlash in the 1656 elections, demonstrating the limits of Cromwell's vision for a godly nation.
Religious Tensions:
The Nayler Crisis, along with the activities of other radicals like Biddle and the Fifth Monarchists, exposed the inherent fragility of Cromwell's religious settlement. The widespread dissent and unrest highlight the deep-rooted religious divisions that Cromwell struggled to reconcile.
Post-Cromwell Instability:
The political instability that followed Cromwell's death in 1658 can be interpreted as a consequence of his failure to secure lasting stability. The swift collapse of the Protectorate and the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 offer a stark indictment of the fragility of Cromwell's political system.
Arguments Challenging Failure
However, a counterargument suggests Cromwell’s rule was largely successful.
Maintaining Power:
Cromwell ruled as Lord Protector until his death without facing any serious threats from royalists, foreign powers, or radical groups. This suggests he successfully navigated challenging circumstances and fulfilled his aim of serving as a ruler for God.
Religious Toleration:
The Cromwellian Church and the Triers and Ejectors system allowed for greater religious toleration than before. Despite some dissent, Cromwellian religious policy was broadly accepted, indicating a degree of success in establishing a working religious settlement.
Military and Territorial Control:
Cromwell maintained the authority of the New Model Army in Ireland and Scotland, demonstrating his ability to secure and consolidate his rule in turbulent regions.
Acceptance of the Humble Petition and Advice:
The acceptance of the Humble Petition and Advice by Parliament and the New Model Army suggests a degree of consensus and support for Cromwell's rule. This allowed him to reposition his Protectorate, bringing it closer to a potential settlement with a wider political elite.
Contradictory Impulses and Underlying Challenges
While Cromwell’s achievements are undeniable, his ultimate aim of creating a godly reformed nation remained elusive. This failure stemmed partly from his own contradictory impulses, balancing religious radicalism with political conservatism. His desire for "healing and settling" was often undermined by his commitment to religious reformation.
The inherent instability of his regime, exemplified in his use and dismissal of the Nominated Assembly, the Major Generals, and the offer of the Crown, reflects this internal tension. By 1656, Cromwell’s focus shifted towards more conservative political aims, aligning himself with the "civilian Cromwellians."
Furthermore, the challenges Cromwell faced – a fractured nation and an alienated political elite in the wake of civil war and regicide – cannot be ignored. His rule should be assessed in the context of these formidable obstacles.
Conclusion
Cromwell’s Protectorate represents a complex and often contradictory period in English history. While he achieved significant successes in maintaining power, securing military control, and promoting religious toleration, he ultimately failed to achieve his overarching vision of a godly reformed nation. His contradictory impulses and the formidable challenges he faced contributed to this failure. While he may have fallen short of his ultimate ambition, his rule was a period of significant change and reform, leaving a lasting legacy on English politics and society.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
Arguments/factors supporting the view that Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658
Arguments/factors supporting the view that Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658 might include:
⭐Cromwell failed to create a working relationship with either of the Protectorate Parliaments and this led to the dissolution of 1655 and the consideration of the Humble Petition and Advice in 1657.
⭐Cromwell’s Major-Generals failed to secure a godly reformation and led to a conservative reaction in the September 1656 elections.
⭐The Nayler Crisis brought to the fore the limits of the religious settlement under Cromwell and other radicals, such as Biddle or the Fifth Monarchists, further illustrate the religious tensions under Cromwell.
⭐The political instability in the years 1658 to 1660 after Cromwell’s death could be seen as a result of Cromwell’s failure to embed political stability.
Arguments/factors challenging the view that Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658
Arguments/factors challenging the view that Cromwell failed to achieve his aims as Lord Protector in the years 1653 to 1658 might include:
⭐Cromwell was able to rule as Lord Protector until his death without any real serious threats to his authority from royalists, foreign powers or radical groups and this fulfilled his aim of serving as a ruler for God.
⭐The Cromwellian Church and system of Triers and Ejectors allowed a broader toleration of religious groups than ever before and there were few examples of direct opposition to the Cromwellian religious settlement.
⭐Cromwell was able to maintain the authority of the New Model in both Ireland and Scotland.
⭐The acceptance of the Humble Petition and Advice by Parliament and the New Model Army had enabled Cromwell to reposition his Protectorate more in line with a possible settlement with more of the Political Nation.
Cromwell failed in his ultimate aim, which was a vision of a godly reformed nation, as he had to work with, and through, many who did not share this aim. Part of the reason for his failure was his own contradictory impulses, between his religious radicalism and his political conservatism. His aim of ‘healing and settling’ was undermined by his other impulse for religious reformation. This tension brought instability to his regime and can be seen in his use and disposal of the Nominated Assembly, the Major Generals or in his consideration of the offer of the Crown. Some may therefore comment on Cromwell from 1656 focusing more on his conservative political aims in alliance with the ‘civilian Cromwellians’.
Cromwell’s failure could be seen, however, in the context of the problems he faced, which included a fractured nation and the alienation of the moderate Political Nation after a civil war and regicide. Some could therefore balance this against the real achievements of his rule in the context of the situation he faced in 1653 by referencing the broad toleration of these years, the successes in foreign policy and his maintenance of power.