‘The main reason for the failure of the Whigs in the Exclusion Crisis was the actions of
Charles II’. Assess the validity of this view in reference to the years 1678 – 1683.
The actions of Charles II were a large reason for the failure of the Whigs in the Exclusion Crisis,
however a combination of factors such as the successes of the Tories, growing loyalism and actions of
the Whigs ultimately led to the failure of Exclusion. Exclusion was the attempt to remove James,
Duke of York from the line of succession due to the anti-Catholicism of England at this time. As Harris
stated, Exclusion was about the threat of popery and absolutism if James were to succeed.
The actions of Charles II did lead to the failure of the Whigs because he was astute in the use of his
royal prerogative and showed political skill. This can be seen through his use of dissolution and
prorogation of the Parliaments in 1679 and 1680, Charles dissolved the First Exclusion Parliament in
July 1679 because the Exclusion had passed in the House of Commons. The vote passed by 207 votes
to 128. However, this was out of a total of 509 MPs, so Charles dissolved Parliament with the hopes
of gaining support from the undecided MPs. He then prorogued the opening of the Second Exclusion
Parliament for over a year because he was aware that the majority of MPs didn’t vote, and he aimed
to use extra time to rally support. This shows that Charles II was being politically astute because he
used his prerogative wisely to help fend off Exclusion. Historian, Mullet, argued that the ‘powers of
prorogation and dissolution’ allowed Charles to ‘survive the storm of Exclusion.’
Charles II’s actions also led to the failure of the Whigs and Exclusion because of his use of the
growing numbers of loyalists and his increased financial independence. Charles called a Third
Exclusion Parliament on the 21st March 1681; however, he showed further examples of being
politically astute as he moved Parliament to Oxford. This was valuable to Charles because there was
growing loyalist support in Oxford. This meant that people were gathering around the monarchy due
to fear of the Interregnum (1649-1660) and fear of republicanism. By moving the Third Exclusion
Parliament, Charles used his prerogative to create a loyalist atmosphere at Parliament. Charles was
able to dissolve the Oxford Parliament a week later (28th March) because of a financial agreement
he had made with Louis XIV of France in the same month. Charles had been given £45,000
immediately and £115,000 per year for three years. This meant that he was financially independent
from Parliament and allowed him to dissolve it before Exclusion could be passed. Therefore, the
actions of Charles II such as the movement of Parliament and financial treaties with France helped
lead to the failure of the Whigs and Exclusion.
However, other factors also were vital to the failure of the Whigs such as the success of the Tories.
The Tories made use of propaganda to rally support around Charles and create an anti-Exclusion
atmosphere. For example, the slogan ’41 is here again’ prompted fear of Civil War and upheaval of
the country. This was successful because many people feared the return of the Interregnum and Civil
War more than they feared Catholicism. This meant the Whigs began to appear too radical and
dangerous. The Tory propaganda was also released during the prorogation of Parliament, so it helped
to rally support for anti-Exclusion at that time. The Tories also believed that Catholicism may not
become a problem because James was only three years younger than Charles and did not have a
male heir yet. They used this idea to suggest that the Whigs were becoming too radical too quickly.
Charles II’. Assess the validity of this view in reference to the years 1678 – 1683.
The actions of Charles II were a large reason for the failure of the Whigs in the Exclusion Crisis,
however a combination of factors such as the successes of the Tories, growing loyalism and actions of
the Whigs ultimately led to the failure of Exclusion. Exclusion was the attempt to remove James,
Duke of York from the line of succession due to the anti-Catholicism of England at this time. As Harris
stated, Exclusion was about the threat of popery and absolutism if James were to succeed.
The actions of Charles II did lead to the failure of the Whigs because he was astute in the use of his
royal prerogative and showed political skill. This can be seen through his use of dissolution and
prorogation of the Parliaments in 1679 and 1680, Charles dissolved the First Exclusion Parliament in
July 1679 because the Exclusion had passed in the House of Commons. The vote passed by 207 votes
to 128. However, this was out of a total of 509 MPs, so Charles dissolved Parliament with the hopes
of gaining support from the undecided MPs. He then prorogued the opening of the Second Exclusion
Parliament for over a year because he was aware that the majority of MPs didn’t vote, and he aimed
to use extra time to rally support. This shows that Charles II was being politically astute because he
used his prerogative wisely to help fend off Exclusion. Historian, Mullet, argued that the ‘powers of
prorogation and dissolution’ allowed Charles to ‘survive the storm of Exclusion.’
Charles II’s actions also led to the failure of the Whigs and Exclusion because of his use of the
growing numbers of loyalists and his increased financial independence. Charles called a Third
Exclusion Parliament on the 21st March 1681; however, he showed further examples of being
politically astute as he moved Parliament to Oxford. This was valuable to Charles because there was
growing loyalist support in Oxford. This meant that people were gathering around the monarchy due
to fear of the Interregnum (1649-1660) and fear of republicanism. By moving the Third Exclusion
Parliament, Charles used his prerogative to create a loyalist atmosphere at Parliament. Charles was
able to dissolve the Oxford Parliament a week later (28th March) because of a financial agreement
he had made with Louis XIV of France in the same month. Charles had been given £45,000
immediately and £115,000 per year for three years. This meant that he was financially independent
from Parliament and allowed him to dissolve it before Exclusion could be passed. Therefore, the
actions of Charles II such as the movement of Parliament and financial treaties with France helped
lead to the failure of the Whigs and Exclusion.
However, other factors also were vital to the failure of the Whigs such as the success of the Tories.
The Tories made use of propaganda to rally support around Charles and create an anti-Exclusion
atmosphere. For example, the slogan ’41 is here again’ prompted fear of Civil War and upheaval of
the country. This was successful because many people feared the return of the Interregnum and Civil
War more than they feared Catholicism. This meant the Whigs began to appear too radical and
dangerous. The Tory propaganda was also released during the prorogation of Parliament, so it helped
to rally support for anti-Exclusion at that time. The Tories also believed that Catholicism may not
become a problem because James was only three years younger than Charles and did not have a
male heir yet. They used this idea to suggest that the Whigs were becoming too radical too quickly.
