The English Civil War: Causes and Consequences

A set of practice flashcards covering the causes, major events, consequences, and legacy of the English Civil War.

Who were the two main factions in the English Civil War and who did they support?

Royalists (supporters of King Charles I) and Parliamentarians.

What were the dates of the English Civil War?

1642–1651.

What governance issue did the war center on?

Monarchy versus parliamentary rule.

What does the Divine Right of Kings refer to in this context?

The belief that Charles I ruled by God's will.

What religious tensions contributed to the war?

Protestant Parliament vs. perceived Catholic sympathies of Charles.

What financial issue helped spark the conflict?

Charles raised taxes without Parliament’s approval.

What was the issue with Short and Long Parliaments?

Conflicts over how long Parliament could sit.

When did the English Civil War begin?

1642.

What was the significance of the Battle of Naseby in 1645?

A decisive Parliamentarian victory.

What happened to Charles I in 1649?

He was tried and executed.

What occurred in 1651 following the war?

Parliamentarian victory; monarchy abolished.

What form of government followed the execution of Charles I?

The Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

What happened to the monarchy during the Restoration in 1660?

Monarchy was restored under Charles II.

What political shift occurred after the Restoration?

Parliament retained greater power.

What major revolution did this era pave the way for?

The Glorious Revolution (1688) and constitutional monarchy.

What were the social consequences of the war?

Deepened religious divides among Anglicans, Puritans, and Catholics.

What social hardships occurred as a result of the war?

Civil unrest and suffering for ordinary people.

Which radical groups emerged during this period?

Levellers and Diggers.

What political thought shift arose from the war’s outcomes?

A move toward democracy and rights.

What is the overall legacy of the English Civil War?

Showed the limits of absolute monarchy and planted seeds of modern democracy and constitutional government.