The "Puritan Revolution" that appears in the history classes of junior high school and high school, but I think there are many people who know the term but do not understand the content well.
That should be the case, and the Puritan Revolution, also known as the Three Kingdoms War, has many parts that cannot be understood without understanding the terms and concepts peculiar to Britain, and it is impossible to understand only the parts learned in junior high school.
So, this time, I would like to write a commentary article for those who are not familiar with the "Puritan Revolution" as well as junior high school students.
Basic knowledge you should know about the Puritan Revolution-Britain is a coalition kingdom in the first place-
Do you know the official name of the country "England"?
The official name of the country we call "United Kingdom" is "Great Britain and the United Kingdom of Northern Ireland", and it is often called "UK" after the acronym "United Kingdam". ..
It can be said that the United States is a coalition of 50 states, while the United Kingdom is now a coalition of four nations.
The current "UK" consists of four regions:England in the south of Britain, Wales in the west of Britain, Scotland in the north of Britain, and Northern Ireland, which is why the UK representative of the Soccer World Cup is divided into four teams. hey.
The history of this division into four regions is old, and the trigger was the invasion of the Roman Empire.
The invasion of the Roman Empire dates back to the first century AD, when the Gauls, who were indigenous to Britain, were pushed north and west, making England the area under Roman rule. After this, Emperor Hadrian, one of the Five Good Emperors, built Hadrian's Wall, and the next emperor, Antoninus Pius, built Antoninus Great Wall.
The Gauls were under the control of the Roman Empire, but the power of the Roman Empire gradually weakened due to the tyranny of bureaucrats and the destruction of culture by Christianity. Came to come.
As a result, the Germanic kingdoms lined up in the English region, and after the 6th century England became ruled by the Germanic people, and the Gauls lived in Wales in the west or in Scotland in the north.
The Welsh region has been the Principality of Wales since the 13th century and is virtually under the control of England. From this point on, the tradition of the next King of England becoming Prince of Wales as the "Prince of Wales" is born.
Time passed, and when Queen Elizabeth died in the latter half of the 16th century, King James I became King of England, but since James I was also King of Scots at the same time, the United Kingdom of England and Scotland was born here.
This is what happened because James I's ancestors were King of England and his mother was Queen of Scotland, which is very important in understanding the Puritan Revolution.
Religious Reform and Religious Issues in Britain
Another important issue in understanding the Puritan Revolution is the issue of religion.
Martin Luther's " Religious Reform " in 1524 "Has become the very thing that involves all of Europe.
Until then, in Europe, the Catholic Church with the Pope at the top was at the center, and it was not allowed to disagree with that doctrine, and none of the European emperors, kings, and aristocrats could defy the Pope. However, with the advent of Luther, the concept of "Protestant" was born as a person who resists Catholicism.
Following this trend was Henry VIII, the father of Queen Elizabeth, who rebelled against Catholicism and had the King of England at the top of the " Anglican Church . We will create our own church organization.
And during the time of his daughter, Queen Elizabeth, Catholics were forced to convert to the Anglican Church, and those who did not respond were executed one after another. In order to escape this, Catholics had to flee to the neighboring island of Ireland and northern Scotland.
In addition, this act of Queen Elizabeth offended the Pope, who ordered all Catholics to assassinate Queen Elizabeth.
As a result, many attempted assassinations of Queen Elizabeth occurred, and Queen of Scotland Mary Stewart was executed as the mastermind, and Spain sent Armada, which is translated as an invincible fleet, to England, a war called the Armada Sea Battle. Will happen, but this will lead to the victory of England.
Eventually, when Queen Elizabeth died, Mary Stewart's son James I became King of Scotland and King of England, and both countries became a coalition kingdom, and James I took over Queen Elizabeth's line to this religious issue and suppressed Catholicism. ..
Parliament, King and ancestral law
The original Puritan Revolution has many prerequisites to remember. Personally, I think it's a little too difficult for junior high school students to learn.
The political form of England is quite special, and unlike France, Germany, Italy, etc., the parliament has existed for a long time, and the king has to obtain the approval of the parliament before taxing. It exists and successive Kings of England have adhered to it.
Of course, I didn't comply 100%, and sometimes I rubbed it, but if I wanted to raise taxes in the event of a war, for example, I couldn't do it at the king's discretion, so I had to get the approval of the parliament.
What if it wasn't for that approval?
That leads to the Puritan Revolution.
This is the most important point in understanding the Puritan Revolution. The result is that the Puritan Revolution was triggered by the King's taxation without the approval of Parliament.
Everything started with the death of James I and the death of Charles I as king.
The introduction was a little long, but it is finally the entrance to the Puritan Revolution.
It all begins when Charles I becomes king at the age of 24.
Charles I has a natural stuttering, has a great complex with his well-made brother, and grows up with a strong repulsion towards his father James. Originally he was not a crown prince, but at the age of 12, his brother died and became the next king, and he was actually appointed king.
As is often the case with tyrants and dark tyrants, Charles I relies heavily on his servants, who do not listen to the wise men and only say the most palatable things.
Following the suggestion of George Villars, Duke of Birmingham, Charles I first married Henrietta Maria, the sister of King Louis XIII of the Bourbon dynasty, but suddenly this struck a chord with Congress.
After all, France was a Catholic country, and Maria was also a Catholic. In addition, Charles I attacked the port of Cadiz in Spain at the suggestion of the Duke of Birmingham, but with no success, he also broke the parliament.
However, Charles convenes Congress to continue the war and demands taxation for the war, which opposes it and begins to impeach Birmingham's responsibilities. Charles I defended Birmingham, arrested lawmakers who did not agree with him, turned the aristocratic house into a military camp, and taxed himself without the permission of the parliament. Start to do.
That's because Charles I, like his father, Divine Right of Kings He was a follower of the king and believed that the power of the king was God-given. Absolutism that the king will take over based on this idea Is called.
Absolutism would later develop in France and Germany, but that would only be possible if there were royal princely bureaucrats and standing armies, and Charles I, who did not have them, could not do well. Isn't it?
Petition of Right
In England, parliamentary administration has traditionally taken root, and it can be said that the fundamental system is different from other countries, and it can be said that the parliamentary cabinet system was easy to take root at the same time as the political system in which absolute monarchy was difficult to take root.
It is often said that democracy in Japan is childish, but that's right, even if you imitate the political system of Britain, which has been in parliamentary politics for over 1000 years, the fundamentals are different, so there is no reason for parliamentary politics to take root in Japan. ..
The English Parliament tells Charles I " Petition of Right "Is submitted.
This simply requires the King to obtain parliamentary approval when taxing in accordance with the law, which Charles I also approves.
However, there were incidents such as the assassination of Duke of Buckingham, a favorite of Charles I, and the parliament was dissolved, arrested unwilling members, and taxed without the approval of the parliament.
King Charles I's exclusive side
Since 1629, Charles I has not held any parliament for 11 years.
In the meantime, Archbishop of Canterbury William Laud and King Thomas Wentworth were in charge of the administration, and while the parliament was not held, the petition of right was not kept and taxation without the approval of the parliament was repeated. Those who disagree will be arrested and imprisoned one after another.
* At that time, the Star Chamber of England was under the direct control of the King of England, so the trial proceeded as the King wanted.
In terms of religion, not only Catholics but also the Calvins, a Protestant sect different from the Anglican Church, were subject to crackdown. These people are called Puritanto, and in our country they are translated as Puritan. The name of the Puritan Revolution came from the fact that these people became the center.
Scottish Rebellion
The fray came from Scotland.
Achievements of Charles I The Stewart family can be said to be of the Scottish royal line for generations, but Charles I disregarded Scotland.
Specifically, the coronation took place seven years after the English coronation, which was not traditional but regal, and barely even set foot in Scotland, and even in Scotland. Was also thorough in the rule of the Anglican Church.
Residents of Edinburgh, the central city of Scotland, repelled and rioted.
Charles I decided to hold a parliament for the first time in 11 years to organize an army to suppress the rebellion in Scotland, but the lawmakers did not agree with it, but rather impeached the king and his evil entourage. Clean up. Charles I disbanded Parliament just three weeks after the convocation. The parliament at this time will later be called the "Short Parliament".
The king, who gave up sending troops, tried to get things done by paying £ 50,000 to the Scottish side, but of course there is no such money anywhere.
When this happened, Charles I, who had no choice but to convene Congress again.
Congress is confused. Charles I and his evil entourage were once again impeached, including holding a parliament for at least 50 days every three years, not dissolving without parliamentary approval, and banning taxes without parliamentary consent. It was decided, and the king had swallowed the request so far, but when the story extends to the personnel rights of important positions, the attitude hardens at once.
In that state, the Scottish Parliament (there were parliaments in both England and Scotland at the time) made similar demands to the King.
Irish Rebellion and Civil War
Ireland sees this situation as a rebellion against England. It is the beginning of the "three kingdom war" that is said to the world.
In Japan, the series of events is called the "Puritan Revolution" or the "Puritan Revolution", but in the United Kingdom and the United States, it is often called the "Three Kingdoms War", and this name is more appropriate for me personally. ..
Whereas England promotes the Protestant Anglican Church, Ireland is dominated by Catholics, and as of 2019, the problem is still unresolved.
Charles I, who got stuck, leads his troops into the House of Commons (the British Parliament has been a bicameral system of the House of Commons and the House of Commons since then) and tries to arrest a member who opposes himself.
The parliamentary side naturally opposes this.
However, the parliamentary side cannot become a monolith, and it is divided into two groups, a royalist group that is compatible with the king and a parliamentary group that advocates parliamentary absolutism.
The Irish rebellion, the Scottish rebellion, the division of the English Parliament and the UK are in a state of complete civil war.
Against this background, the Royal Army kicked off the Parliamentary Army and created a new Parliament in the city of Oxford. This led to two parliaments side by side in England, and the Parliamentary faction would join forces with the Scottish rebels to counter it, but again the parliamentary army split in two and with the King. Presbyterians aiming for reconciliation Independents aiming to eliminate the King It will be divided into.
Independent representative Oliver Cromwell demonstrated his strength in such a civil war. So, he had an army called Ironside and started the battle with the royal army, repeatedly defeated the royal army, the trend was decided by the battle of Naseby, and the royal army surrendered. Cromwell will continue to play an active role in suppressing the Scottish rebels.
However, instead of Charles I, who is silently holding his finger here, he sees the confrontation of Congress and tries to join hands with the Presbyterians. However, this touched the scale of the Independents, and Colonel Pride of the Independents led the troops to eliminate the Independents, arrest 45 people, and expel 186 members. This is called "Pride's Purge", and the remaining parliament is now called the "remaining subcommittee" of 60 independents in Britain.
Independent runaway and king's execution (registration)
It's like a communist revolution. Dictator the parliament with one party, and shed the blood of the politicians.
In 1649, the Independents began the King's trial at Westminster Hall. 135 people became lay judges, 67 people voted for the death penalty, and 59 actually signed, which was less than the majority, but independent leader Cromwell executed Charles I. I will do it.
At this time, Cromwell said he looked at the king's head and muttered, "Cruelty is sometimes necessary."
This is the first time that the common people have publicly executed the King in the long history of Europe, and even today it is the Puritan Revolution and the French Revolution. Therefore, it can be said that the presence of these two revolutions is great and has great significance in the history of the world.
The execution of the king destroyed the balance of the traditional English king, the House of Lords, and the House of Commons, and in that sense it was a revolution.
In the same year, the "Commonwealth" was issued, and the Kingdom of England disappeared and the Republic of England was born.
The politics of the Commonwealth of England was determined by 41 members of the Remnants Parliament, and the civil war in England was temporarily settled.
Scotland and Ireland dissatisfaction
The execution of the king and the establishment of the republic were completely independent, or more specifically, Cromwell's discretion. Both Scotland and Ireland are very dissatisfied, and the Scottish Parliament pledges allegiance to Charles II, the son of Charles I, as King of Scotland.
Both Scotland and Ireland face the Battle of England, led by Cromwell, who landed in Ireland and carried out the worst genocide in British history, controlling 40% of Ireland's territory, followed by Scottish troops. Charles II went into exile in France and Scotland was absorbed by England after being completely beaten up in the Battle of Worcester.
Cromwell's combat capabilities are unprecedented in a short period of time for the Royal, Scottish and Irish forces.
To Lord Protector Cromwell
When Cromwell defeated Ireland and Scotland, a power struggle arose within the parliamentary faction. It seems that human beings are creatures that must be constantly fighting.
Cromwell, who saw the situation seriously, dissolved the remnants of the parliament, established a nominating parliament consisting of 140 members nominated by the military council, compiled the "Instrument of Government", which is said to be the first constitution in the history of England, and himself. Lord Protector is the Chief Administrative Officer and Security Officer of the Commonwealth and its annexes, consisting of England, Scotland and Ireland. Will be inaugurated.
When he became Lord Protector, Cromwell politicized in a trinity of the English Council (consisting of about 10 to 20 people) and the Parliament (400 in England and Wales, 30 in Scotland, 30 in Ireland). But to put it simply, it's Cromwell's dictatorship.
It looks like a parliamentary democracy, but in 1655 it was a government with a strong military character, such as dividing the entire country into 11 military districts. Cromwell's dictatorship grew stronger, and there was a growing voice to make Cromwell the king, but surprisingly Cromwell has resigned. The reason why Cromwell did not try to become the king is one of the mysteries that remains until the present day, but it can be said that this area is different from Napoleon.
Cromwell expelled people who disagree with him, such as Presbyterians and royalists, in creating his system, and eventually started a war with the Netherlands and Spain, but in 1658 Cromwell suddenly started a war. I will die.
Restoration
When Oliver Cromwell died, his son Richard took over the position of Lord Protector, but he resigned shortly after taking office, after which a parliament called the "Convention" was convened and the traditional commons. The House of Commons and the House of Commons will be revived.
In 1660, the Declaration of Breda was issued, which included forgiveness to the people involved in the revolution, freedom of faith, approval of ownership of the land whose owners moved during the revolution, and unpaid money to the army. With the completion of the restoration of the royal government with the world as the king, the self-event called the Three Kingdoms War or the Puritan Revolution came to an end.
What I think about the Puritan Revolution
The famous thinker John Locke described the Puritan Revolution as a "disgraceful incident."
According to Locke, the revolution should be done by a diligent and rational person, not by a greedy mob, and the revolution that took place in 1688 would be honored.
It is from here that the revolution that will occur later is called the "Glorious Revolution."
It can be said that the evaluation of the Puritan Revolution varies from time to time, and there are many voices saying that even if the revolution itself was acknowledged, it was too much to execute the king. The bloody revolution was subsequently carried out in the Great Revolution in France, but after that it was taken over by the communist revolution represented by the Russian Revolution, and the violent revolution became widespread. rice field.
In addition, "revolution" refers to a change in the political system, and there are some who question whether the series of flows can be regarded as a "revolution" because the royal system was restored again as a result of the Puritan Revolution.
I personally agree with this opinion, and unlike the later French Revolution and the American Revolutionary War, there was no change in political structure in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, so I personally doubt whether it is correct to call it a revolution. I have.
Personally, the name "Three Kingdoms War", which is often used in Britain and the United States, fits nicely.
In any case, historically, it is certain that the power of the Legislative Chamber became stronger after the Glorious Revolution after this series of events, and it became an opportunity for Britain to develop under the constitutional monarchy.
Even now, there are some countries that maintain such a regime, and Japan, Japan, has adopted a similar mechanism.
In that sense, it can be said that the Political Revolution had a great influence on the history of Japan as well as the history of the world and the current political system.