Morgan Clelland
HIST 201
Cromwell and the
World
, The beginning of the English Commonwealth marked a new period of hope and optimism
over the despair and disappointment that that the people had felt under the monarchy. Perhaps no
person more so than Oliver Cromwell best expressed what was believed to be the errors of the
past regime and how those errors may be corrected for a better nation. In addressing these
mistakes, Cromwell at first focused on what he saw as the most egregious ones. Two of the more
notable topics that he stressed as needing immediate attention were politics and religion, often
blending the two together. Cromwell stated that it was essential to limit radicals and hold corrupt
officials accountable, encourage displays of outward Godliness, and for rulers to show rather
than claim that God is with them.
The very first point that Cromwell addresses is how radical Levellers are a negative
influence upon politics in England. It is feared that allowing Levellers to prevail will mean
trampling upon the good and natural authority of the Magistracy (Cromwell 3). Cromwell sees
the Magistracy as a positive force that the Levellers are wrongfully charging with contempt. In
addition, he does not agree with the Leveller practice of increasing equality to where the tenant is
in just as equal a position as the landlord (Cromwell 3). For Cromwell, creating such far reaching
equality will only mean more opportunity for people to hoard property and increase interest
(Cromwell 3). In the end, the very problem that is trying to be corrected would only be increased.
Overall, Cromwell is not advocating that the Magistracy increase inequality or that the landless
tenants never see themselves become more equal. He just wants equality to be a result of
modifying the current system rather than completely altering it. The idea is to work within the
current system for change in order to make people more equal.
Cromwell was just as concerned with the possibility that the corruption of his
predecessors might extend into the new English Commonwealth. Specific apprehension came
HIST 201
Cromwell and the
World
, The beginning of the English Commonwealth marked a new period of hope and optimism
over the despair and disappointment that that the people had felt under the monarchy. Perhaps no
person more so than Oliver Cromwell best expressed what was believed to be the errors of the
past regime and how those errors may be corrected for a better nation. In addressing these
mistakes, Cromwell at first focused on what he saw as the most egregious ones. Two of the more
notable topics that he stressed as needing immediate attention were politics and religion, often
blending the two together. Cromwell stated that it was essential to limit radicals and hold corrupt
officials accountable, encourage displays of outward Godliness, and for rulers to show rather
than claim that God is with them.
The very first point that Cromwell addresses is how radical Levellers are a negative
influence upon politics in England. It is feared that allowing Levellers to prevail will mean
trampling upon the good and natural authority of the Magistracy (Cromwell 3). Cromwell sees
the Magistracy as a positive force that the Levellers are wrongfully charging with contempt. In
addition, he does not agree with the Leveller practice of increasing equality to where the tenant is
in just as equal a position as the landlord (Cromwell 3). For Cromwell, creating such far reaching
equality will only mean more opportunity for people to hoard property and increase interest
(Cromwell 3). In the end, the very problem that is trying to be corrected would only be increased.
Overall, Cromwell is not advocating that the Magistracy increase inequality or that the landless
tenants never see themselves become more equal. He just wants equality to be a result of
modifying the current system rather than completely altering it. The idea is to work within the
current system for change in order to make people more equal.
Cromwell was just as concerned with the possibility that the corruption of his
predecessors might extend into the new English Commonwealth. Specific apprehension came
