REASONS FOR FAILURE OF THE REPUBLIC BY 1660:
Within 2 years after OC’s death, the Stuart monarchy had been restored. However, it wasn’t just royalist
strength that brought it about.
Political weakness of the republic:
Despite the military power that OC could rely on, he hadn’t been prepared to use force to impose a settlement
that he really wanted. He was adamant that godly rule could be achieved simply by the goodwill of honest
men. After 1658, although the army often interfered w/affairs, they never did so w/a sufficient sense of
purpose to achieve a lasting settlement. No solution that would work was accepted by the army and that in
itself didn’t guarantee that a solution could be found. The army could destroy, but never create.
The monarchy was restored because the republic had harmed its own reputation.
Protectorate: Power vacuum: Lack of constitutional credibility The republic had no
claim on the nation’s
Attempted to establish a Richard was
HELD UP BY loyalty.
gov system based on a unable to fill
Conservatism
written constitution. This this. Authority of an increasingly ÷ proved stronger
was abandoned in 1659. army than radicalism.
Unpopularity of army rule:
1658-60 showed that army rule was v unpopular w/majority of those in positions of social/political influence.
Cost of maintaining army/navy = heavy taxation (this also poisoned C1/P relations). No political settlement
that involved the maintenance of high taxation would be acceptable to the established classes.
Disunity within the army:
Lack of unity after OC’s death was evident in the army. There was rivalry among leaders and unrest among
troops (eg; how much Lamberts forces disintegrated after trying to prevent Monck’s march south). Many of
the regiments were:
Unpaid
Badly supplied
Reluctant to obey orders of squabbling/contradicting commanders
The lower ranks complained mostly about the generals’ failure to meet the following demands:
Full settlement of arrears of pay C2’s return solved both grievances which after nearly 20
Indemnity against prosecution for deeds done years of fighting were left unsolved by the generals. This
in the wars made monarchy appealing even to the rank and file.
London:
London was a great example of the £ issue.
Since 1640: had been one of the most dependable sources of P strength.
Throughout 1650s: backed the various govs of the Commonwealth and Protectorate.
1659: large numbers of Londonders were embittered by the costs of military rule so much that they
were willing to contemplate the return to a monarchy. The 1st serious civilian challenge to the army
was in London. Apprentices protested against the Committee of Safety and organised a tax boycott by
the London merchants.
Monck:
Monck was v good at playing the role of a moderate throughout the period leading up to the Restoration. This
made him acceptable to the growing body of people that wanted peace/social stability. Rather than bidding
for personal power (v possible in his position), he chose not to which showed that he genuinely wanted a
Within 2 years after OC’s death, the Stuart monarchy had been restored. However, it wasn’t just royalist
strength that brought it about.
Political weakness of the republic:
Despite the military power that OC could rely on, he hadn’t been prepared to use force to impose a settlement
that he really wanted. He was adamant that godly rule could be achieved simply by the goodwill of honest
men. After 1658, although the army often interfered w/affairs, they never did so w/a sufficient sense of
purpose to achieve a lasting settlement. No solution that would work was accepted by the army and that in
itself didn’t guarantee that a solution could be found. The army could destroy, but never create.
The monarchy was restored because the republic had harmed its own reputation.
Protectorate: Power vacuum: Lack of constitutional credibility The republic had no
claim on the nation’s
Attempted to establish a Richard was
HELD UP BY loyalty.
gov system based on a unable to fill
Conservatism
written constitution. This this. Authority of an increasingly ÷ proved stronger
was abandoned in 1659. army than radicalism.
Unpopularity of army rule:
1658-60 showed that army rule was v unpopular w/majority of those in positions of social/political influence.
Cost of maintaining army/navy = heavy taxation (this also poisoned C1/P relations). No political settlement
that involved the maintenance of high taxation would be acceptable to the established classes.
Disunity within the army:
Lack of unity after OC’s death was evident in the army. There was rivalry among leaders and unrest among
troops (eg; how much Lamberts forces disintegrated after trying to prevent Monck’s march south). Many of
the regiments were:
Unpaid
Badly supplied
Reluctant to obey orders of squabbling/contradicting commanders
The lower ranks complained mostly about the generals’ failure to meet the following demands:
Full settlement of arrears of pay C2’s return solved both grievances which after nearly 20
Indemnity against prosecution for deeds done years of fighting were left unsolved by the generals. This
in the wars made monarchy appealing even to the rank and file.
London:
London was a great example of the £ issue.
Since 1640: had been one of the most dependable sources of P strength.
Throughout 1650s: backed the various govs of the Commonwealth and Protectorate.
1659: large numbers of Londonders were embittered by the costs of military rule so much that they
were willing to contemplate the return to a monarchy. The 1st serious civilian challenge to the army
was in London. Apprentices protested against the Committee of Safety and organised a tax boycott by
the London merchants.
Monck:
Monck was v good at playing the role of a moderate throughout the period leading up to the Restoration. This
made him acceptable to the growing body of people that wanted peace/social stability. Rather than bidding
for personal power (v possible in his position), he chose not to which showed that he genuinely wanted a
