Ollie Hated Fun

Hello!  Let's discuss Oliver Cromwell and some other "important" tidbits of information, shall we?

Long story short, Oliver Cromwell hated fun.  As you may have seen from that fabulous (and very catchy) video, Cromwell became a militant dictator from 1649-1660.  After the reigns of James I and Charles I, who was beheaded, Ollie took over during the English Civil War, and let's just say he wasn't a big fan of this conflict.

While Cromwell was ruling, constitutionalism was kind of abandoned and Parliament lost a lot of its influence since they had a rocky relationship with Ollie.  There was supposed to be shared power, but Cromwell disregarded the constitution that would limit his power, and instead asserted his dominance with the use of the army.

Oliver Cromwell's attitude towards Parliament

This time period was known as the Interregnum (since it is the time between kings).  A strict Puritan, Cromwell banned almost all forms of entertainment and self-expression, including the theater and Christmas, deeming them sinful.  He also regulated the economy and the country itself in an absolutist manner, taking control of almost all aspects of life.  

good thing we're too lazy to put makeup on anyway

When he died in 1648, England was tired of him, and invited Charles II to return from exile to rule.  This was known as the restoration of the monarchy.  He was the "King of Bling" who brought back partying, apparently.

*everyone after Charles II returned*

He was a much better ruler, who was religiously tolerant and capable of uniting the country more than Cromwell.  He created an advisory council of five men, who were known as "Cabal" (their initials), and he improved the monarchy's relationship with Parliament.

*cue Matti Stewart, and a discussion about babies and scandals, followed by no real learning*

Some more (important?) information:

Mercantilism advocated that countries should export more than they import, in order to make more money.

The Navigation Acts were a series of laws that restricted the use of foreign ships for trade between Britain and its colonies.

The Test Act required people to make an oath of allegiance to the Church of England and the supremacy of the monarch as its head to be eligible for public office.

The end.

Cardine out (and emilia = kanye west)