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William of Orange used the strength of England in the interests of his native country – Holland in the wars
against France. "King William's War" (as the English called it) prevented another threat of invasion of Britain,
but it didn't bring peace to Europe.
The seventeenth century was the age of the Stuarts – their rise in 1603, their tragedy and defeat from 1648-
1660, their restoration in 1660, their constant struggle against the Parliament which resulted in their forced
compromise and the victory of the Parliament, the victory of the new ruling classes.
The Civil war and the United Commonwealth, the rule of Oliver Cromwell as the Lord Protector and the
leader of Independents and Puritans were the events in the middle of the century and are described as the
Interregnum. It was a highly dramatic and tragic period of British history.
The economy of Britain by the end of the century was developing freely, new economic institutions like the
Bank of Britain (1695) were founded. Trade and colonies were flourishing. The East India Company was the
greatest corporation in the country.
The religious struggle and conflicts gave freedom to all Protestants.
After the Great Plague and the Great Fire of London came the efforts of Sir Christopher Wren and the
achievements of science made by I. Newton and other members of the Royal Society.
By the end of the century Britain was becoming a prosperous country.
Questions:
1. Why were the Stuarts inheritors of the English Crown?
2. What were the reasons for the conflict of the first Stuarts with the English Parliament?
3. How did the Civil war develop and end?
4. What social groups supported Cromwell?
5. What was the policy of the United Commonwealth in Europe and in the world?
6. What were the reasons for the Reformation of Monarchy in Britain?
7. What were the Acts of Parliament directed against the Kings and flow did they develop the
social situation in Britain?
8. When did the political parties appear in Britain and how?