The Long Term Causes of the Civil Wars

On 22nd August 1642 King Charles I declared war on his enemies in Parliament. In
the Civil War that followed one in ten British men were killed. Why did a Civil War
happen? What had caused a Civil War? In today's lesson we will look at the long-
term causes of the English Civil War. These are things that happened in England in
the years leading up to 1642. The boxes below contain information about Charles
I's problems that help to explain why a Civil War happened. Working in pairs you
must cut them out and then sort them into three different categories under the
following headings:

1. Money 2. Religion 3. Parliament

Once you have sorted them out we will discuss them as a class and then you will
write them out in your own words in your books.

1625–49 1625–49 1629–40 1629–40

Like James I, Charles I is Charles I spends Charles I rules

Charles I believes married to large sums of without Parliament.
that kings get Henrietta Maria. money on himself. But he needs
their power from She is Catholic. He likes paintings money.
God and must be There are rumours and expensive
obeyed. that Catholics will clothes.
take over.
1635 1633 1633–40 1637

Charles needs a lot Charles I makes Laud changes Laud’s changes are
of money. He William Laud the Church of England forced on the
makes people pay a Archbishop of services. He Scottish church.
special tax called Canterbury. Laud introduces the Many Scots are
‘Ship money’. Those does not like statues, music and Puritans.
who refuse are put Puritans. candles that the
in prison. Puritans hate.
1639 1640 1640 1630s

The Scots attack Charles I has to Strafford is Earl of Strafford

England because call Parliament to executed by order rules Ireland for
they do not like ask for money to of the Long Charles. He is very
the religious fight the Scots. Parliament and unpopular with the
changes. Charles Laud is put in Irish and with the
has no army or prison. Long Parliament.
money to fight.

By Miss Boughey www.SchoolHistory.co.uk