AQA · A-Level · History

    Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017

    The monarchy restored: political vacuum after the death of Cromwell;…

    Full specification wording

    2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660 – Experiments in government and society, 1648–1660 (A-level only): The monarchy restored: political vacuum after the death of Cromwell; negotiations for the return of the monarchy under Charles II; the legacy of the English Revolution by 1660

    Cromwell's death in 1658 created a severe political vacuum.

    Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 4 of 4
    • 4 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    Cromwell's death in 1658 created a severe political vacuum. His son Richard lacked military authority, sparking a power struggle between the army and Parliament that collapsed the Protectorate. Amidst this chaos, General Monck marched on London, enabling the Convention Parliament to assemble. Negotiations for the return of the monarchy under Charles II culminated in the Declaration of Breda (1660). This promised amnesty, religious toleration, and army pay, securing a peaceful restoration. By 1660, the legacy of the English Revolution was profound. While absolute monarchy was fatally undermined and Parliament's role cemented, the radical experiments left the political nation with a deep-seated fear of standing armies and religious sectarianism.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain how the lack of a strong successor and the division between the army and Parliament created a political vacuum in 1659.
    • Assess the role of General Monck in navigating the political crisis and facilitating the Convention Parliament.
    • Evaluate the significance of the Declaration of Breda in the negotiations for the return of Charles II, particularly its vague but reassuring promises.
    • Analyse the legacy of the Revolution by 1660, focusing on the permanent shift in the balance of power between Crown and Parliament and the enduring fear of radicalism.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Assuming the Restoration was inevitable immediately after Oliver Cromwell's death.

      Put it right: Emphasise that the Restoration only became likely after the collapse of the restored Rump and Monck's intervention in late 1659 and early 1660.

    • Stating the Declaration of Breda was a legally binding constitution.

      Put it right: Describe the Declaration of Breda as a manifesto of promises that relied on Parliament to legislate the specifics.

    • Claiming the Revolution left no lasting legacy because the monarchy was restored.

      Put it right: Highlight that the restored monarchy was fundamentally different, with Parliament's financial and legislative power permanently enhanced.

    Exam tips

    • Focus on the Declaration of Breda as a brilliant piece of political negotiation that appealed to multiple factions simultaneously.
    • When discussing the political vacuum, contrast Richard Cromwell's lack of military experience with his father's strong army connections.
    • Use the term 'political nation' to describe the gentry and merchants whose desire for stability ultimately drove the Restoration.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the 2E The English Revolution, 1625–1660 – Experiments in government and society, 1648–1660 (A-level only): The monarchy restored: political vacuum after the death of Cromwell; negotiations for the return of the monarchy under Charles II; the legacy of the English Revolution by 1660 lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    Following the death of Oliver Cromwell in September 1658, who succeeded him as Lord Protector, leading to a political vacuum?

    Listen

    Cromwell's death in 1658 created a severe political vacuum. His son Richard lacked military authority, sparking a power struggle between the army and Parliament that collapsed the Protectorate. Amidst this chaos, General Monck marched on London, enabling the Convention Parliament to assemble. Negotiations for the return of the monarchy under Charles II culminated in the Declaration of Breda (1660). This promised amnesty, religious toleration, and army pay, securing a peaceful restoration. By 1660, the legacy of the English Revolution was profound. While absolute monarchy was fatally undermined and Parliament's role cemented, the radical experiments left the political nation with a deep-seated fear of standing armies and religious sectarianism. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain how the lack of a strong successor and the division between the army and Parliament created a political vacuum in 1659. Assess the role of General Monck in navigating the political crisis and facilitating the Convention Parliament. Evaluate the significance of the Declaration of Breda in the negotiations for the return of Charles II, particularly its vague but reassuring promises. Analyse the legacy of the Revolution by 1660, focusing on the permanent shift in the balance of power between Crown and Parliament and the enduring fear of radicalism. A common slip: Assuming the Restoration was inevitable immediately after Oliver Cromwell's death. Instead, Emphasise that the Restoration only became likely after the collapse of the restored Rump and Monck's intervention in late 1659 and early 1660. Exam tip: Focus on the Declaration of Breda as a brilliant piece of political negotiation that appealed to multiple factions simultaneously.

    See it

    A vertical flowchart of ten boxes linked by arrows. It begins with the death of Cromwell, leading to a political vacuum. This leads to Richard Cromwell lacking military authority, then to a power struggle between army and Parliament, then to the collapse of the Protectorate. Next, Monck marches on London, which leads to the Convention Parliament assembling. This is followed by negotiations for the return of Charles II, then the Declaration of Breda, and finally the Restoration.
    The sequence from Cromwell's death through the political vacuum and Monck's intervention to the Declaration of Breda and the Restoration.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    The collapse of republican government

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    The role of the military in politics

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    Pragmatism and political compromise

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    Long-term constitutional change

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    See every definition
    The collapse of republican government
    A power struggle between the army and Parliament after Cromwell's death collapsed the Protectorate, as Richard lacked military authority.
    The role of the military in politics
    General Monck marched on London, enabling the Convention Parliament to assemble amidst the chaos.
    Pragmatism and political compromise
    The Declaration of Breda promised amnesty, religious toleration and army pay, securing a peaceful restoration.
    Long-term constitutional change
    By 1660 absolute monarchy was fatally undermined and Parliament's role cemented, though fear of standing armies and religious sectarianism endured.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A vertical flowchart of ten boxes linked by arrows. It begins with the death of Cromwell, leading to a political vacuum. This leads to Richard Cromwell lacking military authority, then to a power struggle between army and Parliament, then to the collapse of the Protectorate. Next, Monck marches on London, which leads to the Convention Parliament assembling. This is followed by negotiations for the return of Charles II, then the Declaration of Breda, and finally the Restoration.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

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