A2 Edexcel Unit 3: Revolution, Republic and Restoration, 1629-67 (JUNE 2013)

Since you're good at the ol' historiography, do you mind if I ask you a question?

Is Trevor-Roper's theory that the Civil War was caused by the 'depressed gentry' revisionist, as it opposes the Marxist conception of rising gentry, or is it a Whig theory as it is also stressing a longue duree interpretation?

I can't say for certain what it is, but I would suggest it isn't revisionist: his ideas on this came mostly in the 50s and 60s, and the label of "revisionism" is only really applied from the late 1970s onwards. I think the most appropriate label would be "anti-Marxist" - it is a direct reaction to the prevailing Marxist views. What the crucial differences between revisionism and anti-Marxism are, though, I honestly couldn't say - I think it's mostly a matter of timing.

Just wondering if anyone can help, I'm really struggling trying to plan essays but i have no idea what essays would come up after the civil war, do you think they would ask about the end/failures of the commonwealth and protectorate separately or together as why the interregnum period ended as a whole. whats peoples opinions on the likeliness of 1660-7 coming up?

It's all a matter of personal preference, I think. I'm more comfortable with side-taking personally, but I've also revised Cromwell so I can do either side if necessary. I wouldn't worry about it, honestly.

Am I right to assume that its only knowledge of the issues during the protectorate that is required? So nothing like the revisionist/Marxist/whighist theories? Sorry, my teacher did not go over much other than general period knowledge because he expects us all to go with side-taking.

I'm a bit confused for the side-taking question - what's regionalism?

How's it different from localism and what would you say about it?

Hmmm... it's not a term I've encountered personally; if it came up in the exam I would honestly assume it's synonymous with localism. Somebody else may be able to correct me on that, though.

They haven't asked about the interregnum as a whole yet so I doubt it, but I suppose they could. I think it is too wide of a period for the 30 mark questions anyway.

Regarding restoration, it has come up 3 times and was in 2011 & 2012. I doubt that they will go for it again. I was advised that a question on the settlement is more likely to come up as it has only come up once before.

i'm confused, there have only been 3 papers for unit 3. June 10 11 and 12

June 10 was personal rule and the search for settlement
11 was civil war and restoration
12 was Personal rule and restoration

I agree that restoration wont come up,

I think it will be one civil war and one search for
Settlement with outside chance of Personal rule,

Btw if the question on royalist mistakes comes up what what ure guys' paras be on?

What questions do you guys reckon are coming up this year? I have a suspicion that there might be another Civil War question again, probably in regards to 'Royalist Failures', 'Role of Pym' or 'Impact of the N.M.A' but I'm not completely sure, although I think it would be good to have an idea in order to better focus my revision. Any other suggestions??

I'm hoping others have more ideas for why royalists lost, A question phrased like that would be annoying,
Any other sort of civil war question and im fine

For personal rule i know about charles policies and why he abandoned personal rule,

However for why he abandoned personal rule i only have 3 paras: opposition to his financial policies, opposition to laud, scottish crisis.

What else would you guys write about?