Rule of the Major-Generals facts for kids

The Rule of the Major-Generals was a time when England and Wales were directly governed by the army. This happened from August 1655 to January 1657, during the period when Oliver Cromwell was in charge as the Lord Protector. England and Wales were split into ten areas, and each area was controlled by a major-general. These major-generals reported directly to Oliver Cromwell.

This period quickly became a clear sign that the government at the time, which didn't have a king, was very much controlled by the military. Many people didn't like it.

Why Did Cromwell Create This Rule?

Oliver Cromwell set up the Rule of the Major-Generals through orders to his army, not through new laws passed by Parliament. He had three main reasons for doing this:

• To find, tax, disarm, and weaken the Royalists (supporters of the king), whom he saw as plotting against his rule.
• To save money, as the army's budget had been cut. The major-generals would take over existing local governments, so new military forces weren't needed.
• To make England a more "godly" place by stopping bad behavior and encouraging good behavior. Cromwell believed that God was punishing England because it wasn't religious enough. He felt this especially after a military trip to Hispaniola (an island in the Caribbean) failed in 1655.

The idea for the major-generals was suggested in August 1655, but it took until October to actually start.

What Did the Major-Generals Do?

Like Cromwell, the Major-Generals were very religious Puritans. Part of their job was to try and make England more godly. They cracked down on what they considered to be noisy or wild behavior, such as heavy drinking, music, dancing, and fairs. They also tried to stop Christmas celebrations. Because of these strict rules, their leadership was not popular with many people.

How Did the Rule End?

The special tax that paid for the army, which the Major-Generals collected, was called the Decimation Tax. On January 29, 1657, the Second Protectorate Parliament voted against a bill that would have kept this tax going. The vote was 124 against the bill and 88 for it. Because the bill failed, the Rule of the Major-Generals in the counties came to an end.

Was It a Military Dictatorship?

Many historians believe that the Rule of the Major-Generals was a military dictatorship, meaning the country was ruled by the army. However, one historian, Austin Woolrych, disagreed. He argued that the Major-Generals stayed within the law, had very little long-term impact on local government, and their power only lasted for less than two years.

Who Were the Major-Generals?

England and Wales were divided into ten regions, each managed by a major-general. Ireland and Scotland already had their own military leaders, so they were not part of this new system.