Restoration

Definition

The Restoration refers to the period in English history when the monarchy was restored after the English Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. This period saw the return of King Charles II to the throne in 1660, marking the end of the Interregnum and the reestablishment of the English monarchy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Restoration marked the return of the English monarchy and the end of the Interregnum, a period of republican rule under Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth.
2. King Charles II, the son of the executed King Charles I, was restored to the throne in 1660, after spending years in exile during the English Civil War and the Commonwealth.
3. The Restoration colonies, such as New York, New Jersey, and the Carolinas, were established or reorganized during this period, as the English monarchy sought to reassert its control over its overseas territories.
4. The Restoration period saw the revival of the Church of England and the reestablishment of the traditional social and political order in England, which had been disrupted during the Civil War and the Commonwealth.
5. The Restoration era was a time of cultural and artistic flourishing, with the reopening of theaters, the emergence of the Restoration comedy, and the growth of scientific inquiry.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the Restoration in the context of the English monarchy and the English Civil War.
  • The Restoration marked the return of the English monarchy after the tumultuous period of the English Civil War and the rule of Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth. The execution of King Charles I in 1649 had led to the establishment of a republican government, but the Restoration in 1660 saw the return of King Charles II to the throne, reestablishing the traditional monarchy and the social and political order that had been disrupted during the Interregnum. This transition was crucial in shaping the course of English history and the development of its colonial empire in the following decades.
• Describe the role of the Restoration colonies in the context of the Restoration period.
  • The Restoration colonies, such as New York, New Jersey, and the Carolinas, were established or reorganized during the Restoration period as the English monarchy sought to reassert its control over its overseas territories. These colonies were seen as an important part of the Restoration agenda, as the monarchy sought to consolidate its power and expand its colonial influence. The reorganization of these colonies, including the granting of charters and the establishment of new administrative structures, was a key aspect of the Restoration's efforts to solidify its authority and secure its economic and strategic interests in the New World.
• Analyze the cultural and artistic impact of the Restoration period in England.
  • The Restoration era was a time of cultural and artistic flourishing in England. The reopening of theaters, which had been closed during the Commonwealth, led to the emergence of Restoration comedy, a new theatrical genre that reflected the social and political changes of the time. Additionally, the growth of scientific inquiry, with the establishment of institutions like the Royal Society, contributed to a broader intellectual and cultural renaissance. This period also saw the revival of the Church of England and the reestablishment of traditional social and political structures, which had a significant impact on the cultural and artistic landscape of England during the Restoration.

Related terms

Interregnum: The period in English history between the execution of King Charles I in 1649 and the restoration of the monarchy under King Charles II in 1660, when England was ruled by Oliver Cromwell's Commonwealth.

English Civil War: A series of civil wars fought in England, Scotland, and Ireland between Parliamentarians and Royalists, leading to the overthrow of the English monarchy and the establishment of the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell.

Monarchy: A form of government in which a monarch, such as a king or queen, is the head of state and exercises varying degrees of political power.