Oliver Cromwell. Hero or Enemy of the people?

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Oliver Cromwell.Hero or Enemy of the people?
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March 1657
Its thanks to him that we have overcome our
enemies. We look forward to peace under his
leadership.
Oliver , we want you to be our new King!
Oliver Cromwell is a good man. He has led us
through the Civil War, one of the most dangerous
times in our history.
Based upon these statements what did people think
of Cromwell in 1657?
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January 1661

• Oliver Cromwell had been dead for two years. He
  was called a traitor by Parliament, and his dead
  body was hung.

At last Oliver Cromwell is getting what he
deserves.
Based upon these statements what did people think
of Cromwell in 1661? Why may people have changed
their minds about him?
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Oliver Cromwell Fact File

• This portrait was painted around 1650 when
  Cromwell was the most powerful man in England.

Paint my picture exactly like me and do not
flatter me at all. Show all these wrinkles,
pimples, warts and everything else as you see me.
Otherwise I will not pay a farthing for it.
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Oliver Cromwell Fact File
He enjoyed outdoor activities such as hunting
and riding.
He was a very emotional man. He was bad
tempered. He could be very rude to people.
He believed in honesty and straight talking.
He was not well dressed. When he addressed
Parliament in 1640 his clothes were dirty.
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Oliver Cromwell Fact File
A modern day doctor may say that Cromwell
suffered from depression.
When Cromwell first went to Parliament he made
many simple mistakes.
Sometimes Cromwell would take days to come to a
decision. At other times he made snap decisions.
Cromwell made many enemies. Some say he was
cruel and selfish. Cromwell maintained that he
was acting in the best interests of the country
at all times.
Cromwell was 43 years old when he fought in the
English Civil War. He enjoyed the experience.
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Oliver Cromwell Fact File - Task

• Create a file of words that describe Oliver
  Cromwell. They could be your own words or
  words already used to describe him.

Positive Words Negative Words Neutral Words



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Positive Words Negative Words Neutral Words



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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• Why was religion so important to Cromwell?

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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• In the 1600s most people in Britain were
  religious.
• They would go to church every Sunday.

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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• There were two main religions
• Catholic (Catholicism)
• Protestant (Protestantism)

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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• The Catholic Church
• The Pope in Rome is the head of the church
• The Bible and services should be in Latin
• Churches should be richly decorated
• Priests should wear colourful clothes
• Priests should not marry
• Celebrate Christmas and Easter

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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• The Church
• The King is the head of the Church
• The Bible is in English
• Some decorated clothing allowed
• Priests can wear colourful clothes?
• Priests can marry
• Celebrate Christmas and Easter.

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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• The Puritans.
• God is the head of the Church not the King
• The Bible and services should be in English
• The churches should be plain
• Priests should not wear colourful clothing
• Priests can marry
• Christmas and Easter should not be celebrated

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Oliver Cromwell and Religion

• Task
• 1. Why did Catholics dislike the Church of
  England?
• 2. Why did Puritans dislike the Church of
  England so much?
• 3. Does the Church of England sound more Puritan
  than Catholic?
• 4. To which group did Oliver Cromwell belong?

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Cromwell Hero or Enemy of the People?