British Civil Wars

The British Civil Wars, mainly between 1642 and 1651, were conflicts over how England, Scotland, and Ireland should be governed. They involved disputes between the monarchy, led by King Charles I, who wanted to maintain absolute authority, and Parliament, which sought more power and democratic rights. The wars resulted in the temporary overthrow of the monarchy, the execution of King Charles I, and the brief establishment of a republic called the Commonwealth under Oliver Cromwell. These struggles deeply influenced the political development of Britain, emphasizing the division between royal authority and parliamentary sovereignty.