Transcript Why did civil war break out in 1642 ?

Why did civil war
break out in 1642?
On the 22nd August 1642 King Charles I declared war
against his enemies in Parliament. In the civil war which
followed 1 in 10 men were killed. Many people died of
starvation. Others had their house, their land or all their
processions destroyed.
How had the situation come about where Englishmen
were prepared to fight against each other and even
against members of their own family?
The Background: King & Parliament
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By the 17th century the King of England could no longer rule
the country by himself. He needed Parliament to help him.
Parliament contained the most powerful people in the
country.
If the king needed money for emergencies, such as wars, he
had to ask Parliament to vote him a tax which people all
around the country would have to pay. When the king asked
Parliament for a tax it had a chance to demand that he took
some notice of its ideas. The power of Parliament had
gradually been growing.
Stage 1: Charles I’s reign gets off to a
bad start
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In 1625 Charles married a French Catholic. This was
unpopular with Parliament.
Parliament also distrusted Charles’ main advisor
Buckingham.
Money – When a new king or queen comes to the throne
Parliament usually votes to give the monarch the income
form customs duties for life. When Charles became king they
only granted it for 1 year. The idea was that this would force
Charles to call parliament regularly. But Charles carried on
collecting the duties without Parliament’s permission.
Stage 2: Charles rules without
Parliament
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In 1629 Charles I dissolved parliament. He
ruled without Parliament for 11 years.
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What do you think of his policies during this
period?
MONEY
Without Parliament he hand to find new ways to
raise money.
‘Ship Money’ – tax imposed usually to improve the
navy in times of war and paid by those who lived
on the coast. In 1634 Charles asked to coastal
counties to pay this tax, despite not being at war.
In 1635 he asked everyone to pay.
 RELIGION
In 1630s with the help of Archbishop Laud Charles
started making changes to the C of E. They
believed people would feel closer to God if
churches were decorated and beautiful. These
changes upset the Puritans – many thought he
was trying to bring the Catholic church back.
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Stage 3: The Scots rebel against the
new prayer book
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Scotland was much more Puritan in its religion
than England. The Scots had never accepted the
English prayer book, for them it was too close to
Catholicism. But Charles was determined to
spread laud’s ideas to Scotland, he did not ask
the Scots about this.
Riots followed, so Charles decided to raise an
army to fight the Scots. He made the English pay
a tax called ‘Coat & Conduct Money’ to pay for the
army’s uniforms, training & transport. Many
people refused and were arrested.
Events move very quickly. Month by month
Charles got deeper and deeper into trouble.
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1639 -Strafford the king’s hated minister, has been recalled
from Ireland. He has a large army in Ireland, will he use it in
England?
April 1964 – Charles calls Parliament, then sends it home
after 3 weeks. Parliament refuses to give him any money,
unless he stops religious reforms & gets rid of unpopular
taxes.
July 1640 – Defeated in Scotland. Charles has to agree to
pay the Scots £850 a day until and agreement is finally
reached.
Nov 1640 – Charles is desperate for money and calls
parliament again – but they will not help him until he drips the
unpopular policies and his hated ministers.
Stage 4: Parliament demands reforms
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Charles now appeared to be at the mercy
of Parliament. Nearly all MPs were united
against him.
Despite this no one dreamt that a civil war
was close. In any case there was no to
fight on Charles’ side. Everyone agreed he
had to change his policies.
Parliament’s demands (Nov 1640)
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Charles’ evil ministers must be punished ( Strafford executed
& many like Laud place in prison).
Ministers should be appointed who will advise Charles to
follow sensible policies ( Some of Charles’s critics from
Parliament appointed).
King has to get rid of courts which allow him to lock up his
opponents ( done)
Regular meetings of Parliament must be held ( done)
No taxes without Parliaments approval ( done & Ship tax
ruled illegal)
Trigger 1 & 2
The Grand Remonstrance
New list of demands made by Parliament. Only
narrowly passed. The Commons was becoming
divided. Charles now had some support.
 Irish Rebellion
Catholics had risen up against Protestant rulers –
200,000 Protestants had been killed. Many
though Charles was behind the rebellion. It was
the first part of his plan to make England Catholic!
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Trigger 3 & 4
Charles tries to arrest 5 MPs
MPs did not trust him, they feared he would get rid
of Parliament. The 5 MPs had been warned and
had fled. They were protected by the council of
England and treated like heroes.
 Arguments about the army
Who should control the army, as they needed to put
down the Irish. The King had left London and
Parliament did not trust him. Despite Charles
disagreeing, Parliament took control of the army.
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The final trigger: The Commons goes
too far
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On 1st June Parliament passed a set of demands called the
19 Propositions. This finally divided the king’s supporters
from his opponents. MPs who supported the King felt this
was the last straw. Charles did too. He claimed they would
make a ‘mere phantom of a king’. Charles’ supporters left
London.
In June Parliament ordered each county to organise an army.
Charles issued the same order. People were now being
forced to make a choice.
By August, each side had collected an army. Then on the
22nd August Charles raised his standard at Nottingham. The
Civil war had begun.
TASKS
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Essay: Who was to blame for the war: Charles or
Parliament? OR
Prepare a leaflet that will be displayed to soldiers on your
side. It must explain to the soldiers why they are fighting.
Mention whose fault the war is. Explain why your side is
fighting. Back up your views with evidence.
If you are on the king’s side, point out how the Commons
didn’t know when to stop, but kept pushing and they had to
be stopped.
If you are on Parliament’s side, point out at each stage it was
the King who made things worse. He must be taught a
lesson.