Oliver Cromwell's Achievement of His Objectives from 1642 to 1658

Oliver Cromwell's Achievement of His Objectives from 1642 to 1658

To look at Cromwell’s aims and whether he achieved them or not is to

enter “a minefield of` historical controversy and uncertainty,” as

modern day historian Barry Coward put it. Cromwell’s aims have always

been somewhat of a paradox so to answer whether he achieved them all

would be impossible. Many of his goals contradicted or obstructed some

of his other views. The views which he held closest to his heart were

‘Liberty of Conscience’ – Cromwell’s belief in religious toleration, a

united National Church, the ‘Reformations of Manners’- his goal of a

nation of Godly people, and social and legal reform. Although these

were his most favoured objectives, throughout his rule as Protector he

attempted to achieve what he described as ‘settlement and healing’-

keeping conservative support and repairing the wounds of the civil

war. This meant there were a number of other policies he strived to

achieve, often having to contradict the religious and social reforms

he desired, these were; establishing broad support- even including

royalists; keeping government as traditional as possible and

maintaining social order. The whole time he also wanted to keep the

army satisfied, as it was his main source of power. However the army

was associated with radicalism by the propertied and gentry, again

causing more compromises for Cromwell. Foreign Policy and the unity of

Great Britain were also important in Cromwell’s eyes. All these

objectives will be looked at and assessed as to whether they were a

failure or success in both Cromwell’s and others eyes.

Many have described Cromwell's idea ...

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...sful

of Cromwell’s objectives.

Religious reforms seem to be what Cromwell held dearest to his heart,

the vision of a ‘New Jerusalem’ in England, free of sin and a united

national church. As these were never realised it would be hard to

argue as a whole that Cromwell achieved his goals, in fact he got

nowhere near. However his attempts to heal the wounds of the civil war

and gain the support of the landed classes have to be described as a

success. He made a republic government acceptable in a country that

was ideologically hostile towards one. His success abroad highlights

Cromwell's skill as a politician and it is unlikely that any man could

have achieved what he had hoped to achieve. To call Cromwell’s reign

as a failure is far from the truth. To say he achieved his objectives,

however, is a huge overstatement.