why were Cromwell's campaigns in Ireland so controversial

what did the Rump do following the decision that unrest in Ireland needed to be crushed

appointed Cromwell to command 30,000 men there

what did Cromwell find when he arrived in Ireland

• Catholic and Protestant alliance breaking down

• allied troops had suffered heavy defeat near Dublin

how did Cromwell avoid drawing out the campaign in Ireland

he dealt with resistance quickly and harshly

what did laws of war state regarding surrender

if surrender was refused and garrison was taken by assault then defenders could be lawfully killed

what did parliamentarian forces say to royalist forces when Cromwell could not storm their fort

that if they surrendered they would spare their lives

what happened to the men who surrendered in Drogheda

they were taken to a nearby windmill and killed

what were Cromwell’s motives for events at Drogheda

• garrisons attacked contained some English Royalists who were seen as responsible for the second civil war

• Catholics had carried out massacres in 1641 and Cromwell’s army had a ‘God given duty’ to avenge death of Protestants

when did Cromwell return from Ireland and why

1650 due to threat from Scotland where Charles II had been crowned