The English Civil War (1642-1649) was a significant conflict between the monarchy and Parliament in England. While political and religious issues both played a role, the primary motivation for the war was political. The struggle for power and the rights of the people were central to the conflict, even though religious differences also contributed to tensions. After the Thirty Years' War, Europe was facing a period of change, and in England, King Charles I’s attempts to govern without Parliament angered many citizens. This situation set the stage for the Civil War, making it clear that power struggles were just as important as religious beliefs. One way the English Civil War was political was through King Charles I's dissolution of Parliament in 1640. Document 1 is a letter from Sir Thomas Peyton, where he explains how the king's actions upset Parliament members. Peyton points out that Charles blamed some loud members for his problems, which shows that he wanted to keep control. This led to anger among those who believed Parliament should have a say in governance. This conflict arose because the king refused to share power, pushing Parliament to fight for their rights. …show more content…
Document 3, written by Lucy Hutchinson, shows that many people believed they were fighting for their freedoms. Hutchinson talks about her husband, Colonel Hutchinson, who saw the war as a way to protect English liberties from the king’s actions. This illustrates that political ideas about rights and governance are vital for many people. While there were worries about 'popery,' Hutchinson believed the focus should be on freedom, showing that the war was primarily about political power rather than just