Why did the victors of the First Civil War fall out among themselves after 1646?
Once the Parliamentarians had won the First Civil War, there was a significant
ideological divide within the group, and they split into two groups: the Independents
and the Presbyterians.
Their aim was to reach a settlement now that the Charles I had been defeated, but
the problem was that their principles often completely contradicted eachother, thus
making it virtually impossible to make any decisions. Essentially, they fell out because
their ideas were so drastically different.
Reasons for the dispute:
• The King (most important)
o Independents: no King. Presbyterians: return of the King.
o Symbol of power and fundamental to the forming of a constitution.
o Also stopped progress himself by rejecting peace terms.
• Religion
o Ind: religious freedom (within Protestantism). Pres: one church for whole
country.
o A very important cultural issue.
o Linked to Scotland (Scots wanted Presbyterian settlement, opposed
religious freedom)
• New Model Army
o Ind: massively supported. Pres: wanted to disband NMA.
o Concerns and paranoia surrounding the spread of radicalism in NMA.
o NMA becoming more influential group itself – threat or strength?
• Taxes (least important)
o Ind: higher taxes to be endured. Pres: lower taxes for return to
‘normality’.
o Linked to New Model Army
o More of a method than an ideology.
Conclusion:
Once the Parliamentarians had won the First Civil War, there was a significant
ideological divide within the group, and they split into two groups: the Independents
and the Presbyterians.
Their aim was to reach a settlement now that the Charles I had been defeated, but
the problem was that their principles often completely contradicted eachother, thus
making it virtually impossible to make any decisions. Essentially, they fell out because
their ideas were so drastically different.
Reasons for the dispute:
• The King (most important)
o Independents: no King. Presbyterians: return of the King.
o Symbol of power and fundamental to the forming of a constitution.
o Also stopped progress himself by rejecting peace terms.
• Religion
o Ind: religious freedom (within Protestantism). Pres: one church for whole
country.
o A very important cultural issue.
o Linked to Scotland (Scots wanted Presbyterian settlement, opposed
religious freedom)
• New Model Army
o Ind: massively supported. Pres: wanted to disband NMA.
o Concerns and paranoia surrounding the spread of radicalism in NMA.
o NMA becoming more influential group itself – threat or strength?
• Taxes (least important)
o Ind: higher taxes to be endured. Pres: lower taxes for return to
‘normality’.
o Linked to New Model Army
o More of a method than an ideology.
Conclusion:
