The English Republic lasts beyond Cromwell

What PODs would be needed (other than the obvious measure of Cromwell a good successor instead of his son Richard) to make sure the Republic continues beyond 1660?
 
The big problem is the extreme Puritanism coupled with even more minimal democracy than pre-Civil War and very high taxes is staggeringly unpopular. The only way to make the Republic last longer is to fundamentally change it.
 

Thande

Donor
It wasn't a Republic after 1653. Cromwell got angry and threw out Parliament, becoming just as bad as Charles I in that regard. He ruled as a military dictator until 1659, when Richard Cromwell became Lord Protector and the Commonwealth was restored, but as you say, Richard wasn't a competent ruler. If Henry Cromwell had been chosen, then the Commonwealth might have survived, but it's unlikely it would have been a republic. Like the majority of Republics throughout history (the USA being somewhat anomalous) it would have been a case of having either a dictatorial strongman, or weak anarchy that would soon result in having the monarchy being brought back to restore the balances (as per OTL).

Aracnid, I think Puritanism could have gone out without affecting the style of government as such - although I suppose by that point it was irrevocably linked with republicanism in the public mind.
 
During his lifetime John Milton (Paradise Lost) wrote several pamphlets supporting the commonwealth and described how it could continuously work. If anyone can find a copy online that should give a good base for a TL.
 

Thande

Donor
During his lifetime John Milton (Paradise Lost) wrote several pamphlets supporting the commonwealth and described how it could continuously work. If anyone can find a copy online that should give a good base for a TL.

Another idea - if the Commonwealth is restored after Cromwell's death and manages to last, then what if William Penn stays in England? He also had ideas for a new Commonwealth built around a strong Constitution, which in OTL of course he developed (in a watered down form) in Pennsylvania.
 
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=79097

This is a thread that I started dealing with the Levellers, a quite well organized political party that had significant support within the New Model Army. It was crushed in the aftermath of the Third Civil War, being outlawed, with its leadership arrested or killed. They had some radically progressive ideas, including 12 man juries, equality before the law, and the franchise for all free men (excluding beggars, servants, and Catholics).

Most of the people in the group who responded (actually it might have been all of them) believed that the Levellers had absolutely no chance, but I think that if the group had a sympathizer among the Grandees, my thinking is Henry Ireton would be the man, then the Leveller's manifesto could have become the Constitution of the Commonwealth, and maintained the English Republic.
 

perfectgeneral

Donor
Monthly Donor
Any English time line needs a strong Navy. Blake must be part of this 'Paradise Founded'.
Milton pinned his fading hopes on Monck. Unlucky. I gather Milton wasn't much for the rights of the citizen. William Penn saving the English Republic by constitution would be more interesting and sophisticated than another dictatorship.

I'm happy to research documents and I'll post links here. If anyone has a character driven dimension to add to this is would be a great story. How would this effect rural and urban life?

How might notable historical characters like Pepys Hooke, and Newton be affected or involved?

Penn's father fetched 'King' Charles from exile when William was just sixteen. This is a very narrow window to alter things to retain a republic. How about a storm that sinks his father's ship? That would deny Penn his experiences in Paris as his father wouldn't recall him from Oxford. Perhaps the second republic needs to be an uprising after the restoration? Before or after Penn adopts Quakerism at the age of 22?
190px-William_Penn_at_22_1666.jpg
Penn as a young soldier of 22 put down Catholic unrest in Ireland.

The developments of Buchel's case and the drafting of the First Frame are highly desirable, but after inheriting he is set on a course for mass emigration of Quakers to America pretty quickly. He needs to get caught up in a revolution before then. About 1672-1673? A general uprising of religious and political minorities would need an overarching principal to bring order out of the ensuing chaos. A Rationalist revolution led, not by a man, but the rule of law?

220px-Spinoza.jpg
Spinoza lived from 1632 to 1677

Philosophy of Spinoza
 
Last edited:
Top