G.M Trevelyan - SHE - Chapter VIII
[alert-success] THE ENGLAND OF CHARLES AND CROMWELL
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[alert-primary] COLONIZATION & CIVIL WAR [/alert-primary]
[alert-primary] COLONIZATION & CIVIL WAR [/alert-primary]
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At the outset of the seventeenth century, during the reign of James I
(1603-1625) and Charles I (1625-1649), England remained the same as
if it is the prolongation of the Elizabethan era. The apprentice system, the poor
law, the regulation of wages and prices, the economic and administrative
functions of the Court and the Law, were all much the same. No industrial,
agricultural, or social change of importance took place in England during the
first forty years when the Parliamentary and Puritan Revolution was germinating. The Founding Colonies
The most important things
that happened during the time of King James I and the early years of King
Charles were the successful founding of colonies in Virginia, New England, and
the West Indian Islands like Barbados, and the setting up of the first trading
stations on the coast of Hindostan. The initial stages of the colonial
expansion of England began early during the reign of James I.
Conditions favouring Colonisation
In the first year of James
I, the War with Spain was won, which gave the merit of peace in the sea. The
favourable condition of the Government and the navy made colonization possible.
The spirit of adventure and conquest motivated to expand England to other new
lands. The government provided safety of voyage and private companies like Virginia
Company and the Massachusetts Bay Company financed to create commercial market
outside England.
Patriotic and religious
motives, initiated colonization. Between 1630 and 1643, 200,000 pounds was
spent in conveying 2,0,000 men, women, and children to New England in 200 ships
to expand England to the colonies. The settlers in Virginia, the West Indian
Islands had no religious motives but most of the Puritan emigrants to the New
England had religious motives.
New England
Virginia and Maryland were
loyal to the King. The colonies in America called as the New England, which was
3000 miles away from England, had a new society with their own characteristics.
Nevertheless, the colonies were an offshoot of England life but they derived
ideas to create new paths of destiny. The newly founded colonies, whether under Crown or private, had large
degree of independence.
East India Company
Meanwhile, on the other side of the globe, the ships of
East India Company beginning another chapter of England's destiny. The East
India Company founded by Elizabeth's charter of 1600. The Government did not
take action to protect its nation’s trade in the Far East. Therefore, East
India Company had to defend its factories with sepoys with its own pay. They built
it for commerce and war.
East India Company at
first established small trade in Madras, Surat, Bombay and by 1640 in Bengal.
From here, they extended their trade. They had great knowledge to conduct
themselves and to tap great resources of Chinese commerce. They laid out 3,00,000
pounds in building shipping, which was more than King James had in the navy. East
India Company as a private nave added strength to England. They shipped wealth to
England. Soon, the Company became the part of social and political life of
England.
The Courteen Association
Charles I had set up a second
company for Indian trade called “the Courteen Association which by its rivalry and
its mismanagement ruined all English trade in the Far East. It has destroyed
the East India Company and put an end to the English connection with India.
Distribution of Wealth
The great wealth derived from
India remained in a few hands, chiefly of very rich men. There was eager and
anger competition for a share in the profits of the Indian trade. People wanted
to invest their money in the company to share the profits. There were no banks
in England. The Goldsmiths of London were holding and lending the money. Instead
of investing on the land, they wanted to hold the shares of the company. These
economic causes brought Civil War in 1642 to decide the issue.
Civil war of 1642 and its Reasons
The Civil War of 1642 was
not on social and economic reasons. But it was the result of political and
religious aspirations. It was a war between King and the Parliament. The Parliament
became divided and the lords who supported the Kings are called as “Royalists”
and others who supported the commons are called “Roundheads”. Pym, Hampden, and
other Parliamentary leaders wanted to take power from the monarchy to the Parliamentary
system. The insisted to share the power
of the government with the monarchy and the parliament.
Supremacy of Law
The common law had won
under the leadership of Oliver Cromwell and king Charles I was sentenced to
death. For the next eleven years, England had no king. Oliver Cromwell ruled
the country. In 1660, Charles’ son was brought back from France and crowned as
King Charles II.
Conclusion
The victory of Common law
preserved the concept of the supremacy of law. A law can be altered by full
parliament and not by King alone. This turn of events had profound effect on
English society and habits of thought for ages to come.
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