Behemoth (Hobbes book) facts for kids

Behemoth is a famous book by Thomas Hobbes. It talks about the English Civil War. The book's full name is very long, but it's also known as The Long Parliament. Hobbes wrote it in 1668, but it wasn't published until 1681, after he had passed away. King Charles II of England didn't want it published at first.

Understanding Behemoth

Behemoth was written in 1668. It followed another important book by Hobbes called Leviathan (1651). Leviathan described how a perfect government should work. Behemoth shows what happens when a government fails badly.

Hobbes used his knowledge of human nature to explain why the English Civil War happened. He saw how people's actions led to the conflict. The book is written as a conversation between two men. One speaker, "A", saw the war happen. The other, "B", is a student trying to understand why England's government broke down.

Why the Book Was Not Published

King Charles II did not let Hobbes publish Behemoth. The King agreed that the book was accurate. However, he worried that people would not like it. Charles II hoped Hobbes would avoid more trouble. He also wanted Hobbes's reputation as a thinker to improve.

Unauthorized copies of Behemoth were printed in Europe in the 1670s. Hobbes was upset about this. An official version came out in 1681. This was three years after Hobbes died. For a long time, not many people read Behemoth. But interest in the book grew again in the late 1900s.

What Behemoth Teaches Us

Behemoth is not always perfectly factual about the English Civil War. But it is still very valuable. It helps us understand how people thought about history and revolutions back then.

The book is praised for its brilliant ideas and excellent writing. It shows what a very smart thinker believed about the war's religious issues. It also shows how Hobbes applied his ideas to the disaster of the war.

Hobbes wrote Behemoth from his memories of the events. He might have also used two books by James Heath. These books were A Brief Chronicle of all the Chief Actions and A Brief Chronicle of the Late Intestine Warr. Hobbes was 80 years old when he wrote Behemoth. Heath's books likely just helped him remember things. Very little from those books ended up directly in Behemoth.

Part One: The Start of the Civil Wars

This is the longest part of the book. It covers the years 1640 to 1642.

The conversation begins with the student asking a big question. How could a strong king like Charles I face a rebellion? The master explains that seven groups caused problems for the king. Each group had its own goals. They did not work together, but they all helped start the rebellion.

These groups were:

• Catholics (called Papists)
• Presbyterians
• Independents (and other religious groups)
• People who misunderstood old Greek and Latin books
• Cities like London, which were centers of trade
• Poor people who saw war as a chance to get rich
• People who did not understand the king's important role

The master and student discuss how each group helped cause the Civil War. This part of the book is seen as critical of religious groups. It does not show their actions in a good way.

Religious Groups and the King

Catholics wanted to condemn any ruler who did not obey the Pope. King Charles I was a Protestant, so this was not popular. There were not many Catholics in England. But they still had a voice among their followers.

Presbyterian ministers disliked the king because his queen was Catholic. They gave speeches asking for the queen and other Catholics to be sent away. In the late 1600s, Catholicism was already restricted. So, these calls to remove Catholics were common.

The Independents and other Protestant groups wanted freedom. They especially wanted religious freedom. As long as someone did not follow the Roman Catholic Church, their religious views were usually tolerated.

Parliament and the King's Power

Hobbes believed that the idea of an absolute monarchy was a key cause of the Civil War. Many members of Parliament wanted a king. But they did not want him to have absolute power. They wanted the king to ask Parliament for advice before acting.

King Charles I believed his power came only from God. He thought he did not have to answer to anyone else. Parliament then refused to give the king money. This happened when the king needed funds to fight the rebellious Scots. The Scots were fighting over church practices.

This weakened the king's power. Charles I then asked rich nobles for money. When that money ran out, Charles asked Parliament for "Ship Money." This was a tax for the navy. He wanted to use it to continue the war against the Scots. Parliament said this was illegal. They took the king to court over it.

Universities and Disobedience

Universities were places to learn old classic texts. People thought this would make students smarter. But Hobbes felt that scholars did not read these books carefully. They took them at face value. This led some scholars to teach students about an ideal republic. But they did not teach about the good things a king could do. So, students began to see the king as irresponsible.

Hobbes reminded his student that obedience is needed for a good and peaceful life. This obedience should be given to the king, like it is to God and parents. But Protestant church leaders did not preach this. Instead, they advised people to disobey royal orders. For example, they told people not to give money to the king privately. This advice, combined with stories of old rebellions, created a perfect situation for revolution in England.

Part Two: Preparing for War

This section discusses how those who wanted rebellion started getting ready for it.

People in England had grown used to hearing bad things about the king. Bishops and members of Parliament, whom they trusted, told them how corrupt the king was. Then, people started talking about a supposed plan. They believed the King and Queen wanted to bring England back to the Roman Catholic Church.

The king responded by sending away some people who wrote pamphlets and sermons about this. But Parliament had three of them released. They were welcomed like heroes in London.

Parliament's Actions Against the King

To weaken the king further, Parliament tried to remove his supporters. They accused the Lord of Strafford of treason against Parliament. He was then beheaded. Next, Parliament arrested and executed the Archbishop of Canterbury. He was accused of preaching that the government should be ruled by bishops. Many in Parliament, especially the Scots, opposed this idea.

After this, Hobbes's master explains the history of the House of Commons. He talks about its role in governing England. He reminds the student that Parliament was always meant to advise the king, not control him. This Parliament, however, went beyond its old limits. It was supposed to represent the people to the king.

The Irish Uprising and Militia Control

An army of Catholics rose up in Ireland. They attacked and killed Protestants. This became a big problem for Parliament. A truce was made with the king to create a militia to fight this uprising. Charles I denied charges of treason. But he would not name his informant in the Commons. The solicitor general was accused of being an informer. He fled to France to escape Parliament's anger.

Parliament then took control of the militia from the king. They insisted that no Catholics could lead the army sent to Ireland. Parliament raised money for this mission by selling land in the Irish province of Ulster. A small part of the money was for the king. The rest was for Parliament. The king did not agree to this.

Relations between the two sides broke down again. The king declared that Parliament needed to obey the kingdom's laws.

The Nineteen Propositions

Both sides began gathering supplies and men for a possible war. Parliament sent a message to the king. It was a "humble petition" with 19 proposals to prevent conflict.

The nineteen points included:

• The king's advisors must be approved by Parliament.
• Public matters should only be discussed by Parliament.
• Important financial and legal jobs must be chosen with Parliament's consent.
• Parliament must approve who educates the king's children.
• Parliament must approve the marriages of the king's children.
• Laws against Catholics must be strictly followed.
• Catholics should not be allowed to vote in the House of Lords. Their children must have a Protestant education.
• The Church government should be reformed as Parliament advises.
• The king must let Parliament control the militia.
• Members of Parliament who were removed must be allowed back.
• Advisors and judges must promise to follow certain Parliament laws.
• Judges and officers approved by Parliament should keep their jobs if they behave well.
• Parliament's justice should apply to all law-breakers, even those who fled.
• The king's pardon must be granted, unless Parliament objects.
• Parliament must approve the king's choices for commanders of forts and castles.
• The king's unnecessary military guard must be dismissed.
• England should formally ally with the Protestant Dutch states. This would help defend them against the Pope.
• The king must clear six members of Parliament of any wrongdoing.
• New members of the House of Lords must be voted in by both Houses of Parliament.

The king rejected these nineteen points. He felt they would further weaken his power. This left both Parliament and the king with no choice but to go to war.

Part Three: The English Civil War and Charles I's Execution

The discussion now moves to the Civil War itself. The student worries that King Charles I cannot stand up to Parliament. This is because Parliament controls most of the money and supplies needed for war. The master reminds the student that the king's officers were very experienced. This was an advantage that Parliament's forces, called Parliamentarians, did not have. As for money, neither side had much. Some of the king's supporters borrowed against future earnings. Parliament's forces got money from cities and by taxing towns.

Changing Sides and Cromwell's Rise

As the wars continued, some people on both sides changed loyalties. At first, this hurt Parliament's forces. But over time, some who were loyal to the king began to support Parliament. This happened even though the king had an old right to call all landowners to arms during conflict. Parliamentarians had already ignored most laws. So, this ancient call to arms for the king was largely ignored.

Early in the war, the king's cavaliers often won battles against Parliament's forces. Charles I had successes mostly in the north and west of England. Scotland joined the war on Parliament's side. This put pressure on the king's forces. Oliver Cromwell used this pressure in 1644 to win the Battle of Marston Moor. This battle marked the rise of Oliver Cromwell in the Parliamentary army. He would use these successes to eventually take control of England as Lord Protector.

In 1645, Cromwell reorganized Parliament's forces into the New Model Army. This army was more disciplined and better trained. With this, the war began to turn against the king's side. In 1646, the king, who was under siege, received the same nineteen points from Parliament that had started the conflict. Charles again did not agree to them. Instead, a deal was made. The king would surrender to Parliament, ending the war. By the end of 1646, the king's official seal was broken. Power over England was now up for grabs.

Cromwell Takes Control

In 1647 and 1648, Oliver Cromwell and his New Model Army fought for control over England. The king was held prisoner and not allowed to rule. Cromwell controlled 55 members of Parliament. He used them to gain more support for his control over the government. Cromwell tried to get royalist supporters to join him. London tried to resist Cromwell but was quickly defeated. He continued to gain power and eventually controlled Parliament. He did not give control back to the king, as he had said he would.

King Charles I was just as unwilling to work with Parliament under Cromwell's control as he had been before the Civil War. Cromwell removed opposing members from Parliament. This left what was known as the Rump Parliament. He then began to charge the king for his role in starting the war.

The king was brought before Parliament. The charges were read. The king denied that Parliament had the right to charge him. This happened three times. Each time, Parliament insisted they had the authority. Charles was found guilty of tyranny. He was executed at the gates of Whitehall on January 30, 1649.

Part Four: Cromwell's Rule and the King's Return

After King Charles I was executed, the Rump Parliament became an Oligarchy. This means a small group of people held all the power. A forty-person council was set up to carry out Parliament's orders. Parliament called itself "Custodians of English Liberty" for legal matters. Hobbes thought this was foolish because they did not truly understand what liberty meant.

Cromwell's Victories

Cromwell, who was not yet the sole leader, went with the army to Ireland. In a year, he took control of the entire country. In Scotland, the Earl of Montrose failed to get people to rise against Parliament and was executed. Cromwell's rival, General Fairfax, resigned. He did not want to take an army into Scotland to fight fellow Presbyterians. Cromwell was then made general of the entire army.

Charles II went to Scotland. He agreed to the demands of the Scots Parliament and became king there. Fighting between England and Scotland started again. Cromwell and the army invaded Scotland to capture the young king. Charles II could not hold Edinburgh or Stirling. He managed to escape to Europe.

The Rump Parliament had a conflict with the Dutch. This led to the First Anglo–Dutch War in 1652. Cromwell continued to fight England's enemies. At the same time, he made his control over Parliament stronger. Cromwell was able to dissolve Parliament on April 23, 1653. A new Parliament was formed. It had 142 of Cromwell's strongest supporters from the army and the old Parliament. He gave them supreme power. In return, they named him Protector of England. The Dutch were defeated by the English. Cromwell now controlled all of England.

In 1657, Cromwell was offered the title of king. But he refused it. This was because the army, which was his main source of power, opposed the idea. Parliament began to become disorganized as different groups argued again. Cromwell managed to keep these groups in line.

The Monarchy Returns

After Cromwell died, Parliament fell into chaos. General Monck realized that the only solution was to bring back the monarchy. He did not think Richard Cromwell should succeed his father. Monck occupied London with the army. He forced Parliament to offer the crown to Charles II. The monarchy was then restored when Charles II accepted Parliament's offer.

Different Ideas About Rebellion

Immanuel Kant, a very smart thinker from the Age of Enlightenment, had different ideas about rebellions than Hobbes. Howard Williams, from the University of Wales, wrote a study in 2003 comparing their views.

Hobbes believed that all rebellions should be avoided at all costs. He saw society as a body (the people) with a soul (the monarchy). For Hobbes, if the soul dies, the body dies. So, civil war was like society losing its soul. Hobbes wrote Behemoth to show how terrible those times were. He wanted to make sure they never happened again. Hobbes did not think anything good came from the Civil War.

Kant, however, believed that not all rebellions were necessarily bad. He wrote about the French Revolution in his book The Conflict of the Faculties. This was more than 100 years after Hobbes wrote Behemoth. Kant focused on how rebellions can make people in other countries feel sympathy. He said this was because of a "moral feeling within the human race." Kant thought uprisings were the wrong way to solve government problems. But he also believed that something positive could still come from them.

Hobbes did not think society had any natural morality. He saw rebellion as either a "mistake or a failed experiment" or something that happened because of ignorance. Hobbes felt sympathy for the victims of the rebellion, not the common people involved. This fits with his support for the king's side in Behemoth.

Kant's ideas about rebellion came from more than just the French Revolution. He also thought about the American Revolutionary War and the English Civil War. Hobbes, of course, could not have done this. Kant was more of an observer of these revolutions. Hobbes was deeply affected by the Civil War. He truly believed that rebellion was not a solution. He thought only a very strong ruler could teach people right from wrong. This would create a stable society.

Hobbes supported a strong ruler, like a king or a group of people with absolute power. Kant supported the idea that the people should have power through their representatives. Another key difference was how laws should be managed. For Hobbes, the king's power "must be beyond question." But for Kant, the ruler's power was best protected if people could openly discuss and criticize it.

These differences in their thinking might be because they lived in different times. Hobbes lived a hundred years before Kant. Also, Hobbes experienced rebellion firsthand. He even fled England for his safety. Kant did not directly suffer during the rebellions of his time. Over a century, many more ideas about people's rights and freedom had been written. This likely influenced Kant's views. This does not mean Hobbes was wrong. But it helps explain why he held his strong views on rebellion.