Oliver Cromwell's Achievement of His Objectives from 1642 to 1658

During pre-Revolutionary America there were efforts made to attain not only political liberty but also religious freedom. The booming dissenting churches in Virginia had presented several pleas against religious discrimination to the Virginia House of Burgesses in the 1750s and 1706s. Some of Virginia’s statesmen and politicians included James Madison and Thomas

Religious freedom was one of the main causes for English peoples to move to the New World. They escaped from the de-catholicization of the Church of England in order to believe in what they wanted to belive in. The government once again did not pay any heed to set an official religious set of rules in the colonies, therefore allowing the people to

For example, the military wanted a radical religious reform, led by John Lambert, whereas the civilians (or parliament) wanted a more moderate, parliament endorsed regime, led by figures such as Lord Broghill. Therefore, Cromwell was a major source of division and was said to be an "ideological schizophrenic" (Worden). Furthermore "division was made worse by Oliver Cromwell" (Worden) which is seen with the fluctuation of Cromwell's views between 1649-58, beginning with the dissolution of the Rump Parliament, because he favoured the Nominated Assembly, devised by fifth-monarchist Thomas Harrison, however the Assembly was named the Barebones Parliament. Despite Cromwell initially siding with a "Godly rule" (Smith), he reverted back to the regime to protect tradition, helped by Lambert who ended the Barebones Parliament due to the fear of the increasing power of religious radicals. Therefore, it was the indecisive nature of Oliver Cromwell that led to the failure in attempting to create an acceptable settlement in politics and religion.

By the middle of the 1700’s, a significant organization took place. From New England to Georgia, different groups of Baptists began to form churches. They had only one doctrinal requirement that united them, i.e., the believer’s baptism by full immersion in water; also, Baptists then had different theological doctrinal beliefs. Notwithstanding, in the 1700’s, Baptist leaders sought to unify and homogenize the Baptist theology; they founded colleges and formed associations. However, the cause of “religious liberty,” was also a unanimous and significant characteristic that united the majority of Baptists. Their participation within their communities distinguished from other denominations. The Baptists were not contending for tolerance but for absolute “religious liberty.” Theirs demand was not for their right only but for the right of all dissenters and non-conformists as well. Some historians affirm that religious liberty in America was accomplished due to the diligence of the American Baptist, which now is proven to be the greatest contribution to American science and statecraft.”11

Additionally, the struggle for religious dominance in England had unsurprisingly reared its head in the colonies as well (Schultz, 2009). When Lord Baltimore (Catholic) who was given proprietorship over Maryland for religious reasons, he realized the potential for violence due to religious differences, and he enacted the “Toleration act [in] 1649” (Schultz, 2009, p. 54). This act, albeit not an end-all for religious constraint, was a foundation for the rights of all colonist to worship in the manner of their choosing. However, constraint due to religious denomination was far from over in the New

Not everyone in England was facing a harsh persecution; many travelers came to the New World with high hopes of money, which led to numerous conflicts. It was a land for the rich to get richer. Most of the settlers bound for Virginia and the Southern colonies had a "get rich or die trying" type of attitude. The only thing tearing them from home was a flimsy promise of gold that may or may not be there. The motive of such people is so radically different. There were no pacts of agreement, no common laws that kept them in a community once landing. This led the men to never develop any sense of belonging with their fellow men, causing a distinct survival society by 1700. Every man was for himself. It was a bitter game displaying the survival of the richest.

After the failure of Roanoke in 1587, the English decided once again to try to establish a permanent colony in North America. Major changes in the social and economic life in England caused more people to want to come to America. After new, more nutritious crops, were brought back from the Americas, the population of England doubled. This increased the demand for more food, clothing, and other goods. The gap between the rich and the poor also increased, leaving those with little land in poverty. Religious freedom was also becoming an issue for people in England, as the Reformation began in 1533. Those who wanted to break away from the Catholic Church could not when divine right monarchs believed they had the power to enforce a particular religion on their people. It was these factors that caused the first settlers of Chesapeake and Plymouth to leave in search for a better life and to find new opportunities. The early English settlements of Chesapeake and Plymouth differed as well as resembled each other in trade and work, government, and communal and family structure, which affected the quality of life in these colonies.

Furthermore, England was in a civil war and migration to the New World decreased. Some settlers returned to England and joined the impeachment of King Charles.The king ended up getting executed in 1649. After the execution, England became Puritan. England was now

New England was started for the search of religious freedom from persecution. England’s government required a strict attendance to the Anglican church. If a

To make an effective religious policy, there must be no opposition, it needs to be enforced, the monarch’s beliefs should be equal to the country’s beliefs, it should be stable with no ambiguity and people should conform. During the period of 1547-1549, Edward’s regent, Somerset, created a rather ineffective religious policy, with there being no clear statement of doctrine and with him repealing the treason acts and heresy laws, unrest was created, with people being able to voice their opinions without punishment. The First Book of Common Prayer was the main source of rebellion, because it was said to be too radical by some in the move towards Protestantism, but not radical enough by others, by being designed to keep the Catholics happy through the continuation of some practices, showing that it satisfied no-one. As well, the Prayer Book was not enforced during services, showing that it was an ineffective act. Also, it was rather irresponsible to implement religious changes when at war, because the soldiers were

According to John (1629), “religion and the fountains of learning were so corrupted most children are perverted, corrupted, and utterly overthrown by the multitude of evil examples” (p.420). The New England colonies were all grounded around learning and fleeing from religious persecution. Education and religious freedom are what kept them motivated to become “a city upon a hill” as John Winthrop said.

England’s American empire was founded partially on greed, along with pursuit of various religious sects for different branches of Christianity, which led to different colonies becoming dominated by varied religious beliefs (i.e. Rhode Island

King Henry VIII was one of the most powerful rulers in the fifteenth century, who had a very captivating life many people are not aware of. Most people know Henry VIII as a berserk king with too many wives, but there is more to Henry VIII than that. Many few people know about his life and what he truly contributed to our world. Henry VIII was an almighty leader in England who won’t soon be forgotten.

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Throughout history there have been examples of religion being regarded as traditional and of people dissenting from the traditional religion. This essay will trace the footsteps of tradition and dissent of Christianity in England between the sixteenth and nineteenth centuries by looking at the statement “… a previous generation’s “dissent” itself becomes “tradition”, and a previously dominant tradition becomes dissent.” (Tradition and Dissent p72). With particular reference to the differences between Protestants and Catholics.