England Without a Monarchy: Regicide and Republic, 1649-1660

This course examines England's mid-seventeenth century revolution, looking at high and low politics, the rise of popular radicalism, and the conflict in the empire. Themes explored include: the trial of Charles I: the commonwealth, 1649-53; the Ranters and the sexual revolution; the Digger commune a Stt. George's Hill; Oliver Cromwell's war crimes in Ireland; Cromwell as Lord protector, 1653-58; the social and gender egalitarianism of the Baptists, Quakers, and Fifth Monarchists; the revolutions in the Caribbean and Atlantic; and the Western Design and capture of Jamaica.