Five in-depth essay plans for the Britain, edexcel history a-level. Includes how to structure the essays, context, arguments and counter arguments that work with different question types, as well as a source question example and plan.
1 How accurate is it to say that Charles I’s actions and attitudes were primarily
responsible for the problems that faced the monarchy in the years 1625–40?
(Total for Question 1 = 20 marks)
(WRITTEN BY HANNAH)
INTRO
Context: 1625 = Charles enters throne ->>1629-40= Charles personal rule ->>1639= bishops
war ->> 1640= short/ long parliament called
Def: Problems that faced monarchy = war, lack of money, conflict with Parl, opposition
Arg:
PARA 1 : CHARLES ACTIONS AND ATTITUDES
Point 1 :ACTIONS: his disastrous foreign policy
leading to catastrophic campaigns against Spanish - + series of disputes between
Parliament and Charles over attempts to secure further taxes that constantly end in
dissolutions of Parliament
Point 2 : inability to compromise – ATTITUDE of stubbornness
in 1628 – could have accepted petition of rights – this asked him to reverse his
actions in 5 knights’ case - instead of accepting his failures and using this as chance
of reconciliation with Parliament – he asserted right to collect tonnage and
poundage without parliamentary grant– LED TO PERSONAL RULE
Point 3: ACTIONS: personal rule
personal rule represented absolute monarchy and seen by many as deliberate attempt
to destroy parliament – ship money highly controversial – capable of providing a regular
income that was independent of any parliament
turning point in the development of conflict
CA: Parliament become uncooperative first
refusal to grant Charles excise tax in 1625 is unreasonable and unnecessary obstruction
that leads to tensions. Right to levy tonnage and poundage traditionally granted to King
for life- Great insult to Charles and worsens relations with him – CAUSATION
CCA: Parliament gave Charles countless chances to restore relationship
E.g., in 1628 – could have accepted petition of rights – this asked him to reverse his
actions in 5 knight’s case
+
E.g., he was aggressive and kept conflict going - imprisoned parliamentary opponents
incl John Eliot in personal rule
PARA 2 :LACK OF MONEY
Point 1 : At heart of each major crisis that Charles faces up to 1640 are financial problems.
Lack of money makes Charles a vulnerable King. Unable to tackle crisis effectively as a
result.
, E.g., In 1620s constantly needs to recall Parliament – results in his personal rule as he
doesn’t have enough finances, he needs to wage wars he has inherited from father
E.g., Charles issued Forced loan –due to lack of money- 5 knight’s case
E.g., Tax raising efforts during personal rule – ship money
CA: Charles responsibility
Forced loan = direct challenge to law and parliament
Personal rule and ship money = him being absolutist = belief in DROK
Bishops war = his responsibility = sparked from him issuing book of canons
Charles have these financial problems if it wasn’t due to his disastrous foreign policy
e.g., Attempts to reform Scottish church- book of canons – poor judgement- bishops war
and attack on Charles powers in years following it
PARA 3: RELIGIOUS ISSUES
Point 1 : Paranoia and fears over Catholicism contribute to tensions and instability
throughout this period
E.g., Disputes between Charles and parliament in 20s linked to paranoia over
Catholicism due to promotion of Arminian clergy in Church as well as arrival of his wife
from France (Henrietta maria – catholic) and her Catholic advisors – led to frequent
dissolutions of parl
E.g., Laudian reforms in 30s – Charles promotes Armimnians like Laud – churches
decorated with statues and colour organs were restored- led to resistance and
instability - 3 puritan writes who had published attacks on the government had their
ears cut off
e.g., Scottish trouble- Book of canons issued by Charles caused riot that caused Bishops
war – due to religion as presbyterian ministers were offended
CA: Charles responsibility
is Charles personality and insensitivity to fear of times- chose these advisors-
Charles had little understanding of Scottish kingdoms – was highly insensitive to issue
book or canons and English prayer book to Scottish clergy as they were highly organised
presbyterian institution
2 How accurate is it to say that the failure of republican government, in the years 1649–60,
was primarily due to divisions over religious issues?
(Total for Question 2 = 20 marks)
(WRITTEN BY SOPHIA)
PARA 1: RELIGIOUS DIVISIONS
Cromwell had to balance radicals (army) and conservatives (Parliament and Scots) made
political settlement v. difficult and led to revolts – e.g. levellers at Burford
Showed Cromwell there wasn’t adequate control of radicals – Burford was one of the
initial threats faced by Rump – paved way for more revolts and led people to question
the authority of the Rump
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