- Most notable consequences of the English Revolution
- 1- Creation of the Commonwealth of England
- 2- Dissolution of the divine monarch right
- 3- Constitutional monarchy
- 4- Capitalist development
- References
Among the consequences of the English Revolution, also known as the English Civil War, the creation of the Commonwealth of England, the dissolution of divine law and imposition of the constitutional monarchy or the development of the capitalist model can be highlighted.
The conflict took place between the years 1642 and 1660, beginning when the members of the parliament demanded greater autonomy and limitations to the monarchy. This generated in a long armed conflict that lasted 18 years and that finally gave the victory to the parliament thanks to the command of Oliver Cromwell, who later would become Lord Protector of England and the leader of the military dictatorship.
After the parliamentary victory, King Charles I was beheaded and the monarchy abolished. After the death of Cromwell, the monarchy regains the throne and the revolution comes to an end.
Most notable consequences of the English Revolution
1- Creation of the Commonwealth of England
The English Commonwealth refers to the period after the war where England was considered a republic.
The monarchy was abolished and the commonwealth took control of Ireland, Wales and Scotland. In 1653, Oliver Cromwell became Lord Protector and the leader of the Commonwealth, creating a central government from which he led the British republic.
The government adopted stringent foreign policy laws and by military force forced opposing European nations to recognize the authenticity of the commonwealth. This period is known in history as the Cromwell military dictatorship.
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Oliver Cromwell was the most important military and political leader of the revolution.
2- Dissolution of the divine monarch right
As an absolutist, King James demanded respect for the divine power of the monarchy, which established that the authority of a king was accredited by God and his decisions could not be questioned.
For its part, the parliament, dominated by lower-class nobles and merchants, demanded greater autonomy and limitations on the monarchy.
This unleashed in the English Revolution and in the parliamentary victory, being discredited the religious idea of monarchical absolutism.
As a consequence, the monarchies that later reigned England would have constitutional limits.
3- Constitutional monarchy
After the return of the monarchy to England with King James II, Parliament drew up the Bill of Rights of 1689 and the Act of Establishment of 1701 to limit their authority.
In these agreements it was established that the monarchy would act as the leader of the state following the constitutional limits established by the parliament.
The bill of rights limited the powers of the monarchy and granted greater parliamentary rights.
Parliament would have freedom of expression, free elections, and frequent meetings. Currently, England has a constitutional monarchy, where kings are politically neutral and their leadership is mostly ceremonial.
4- Capitalist development
Marxist theory claims that the English Revolution started the era of British capitalism. Until then, during monarchical absolutism, the bourgeoisie played an important role in the economic development of England; they invested in land for agriculture, and the products were commonly intended for direct sale.
Everything changed when industry and commerce also saw booms in its development. This system was also benefited by the English Revolution, which definitely caused the feudal system to give way to capitalism, mainly commanded by merchants and merchants.
References
- Roots, I. (1989). Oliver Cromwell and the English Revolution and the English Civil War. History Today.
- Encyclopedia Britannica (2017). English History: Commonwealth.
- Plant, David (2012). The Commonwealth project: 1649-1623. BCW Project.
- Encyclopedia Britannica (2017). World History: Divine right of kings.
- Online Library of Liberty (2017). The English Revolution.
- British Monarchist League (2014). Constitutional Monarchy.
- Like, D. (2012). Print, Censorship, and Ideological Escalation in the English Civil War. The Journal of British Studies, 51 (4), 820-857. doi: 10.1086 / 666848.
- Christopher Hill (transcribed Andy Blunden (2002). "The English Revolution 1642." Marxists.org.