Politics and Opinion in Crisis, 1678–81 (Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History) - Softcover

Knights, Mark

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0521024390 ISBN 13: 9780521024396

Publisher: Cambridge University Press, 2006

Synopsis

The aftermath of the Popish Plot and the subsequent succession crisis of the years 1678 to 1681 are the context for this new study. It asks two key questions: was there an exclusion crisis? and did these years witness the birth of modern political parties? The author argues that the unrest was not simply due to a centrally organized party machine based around the single issue of exclusion; but was a broad-based controversy about the succession, fears of popery and arbitrary government which produced ideological polarization and political sophistication. Part One examines central politics to explore the succession crisis within the context of the court and an emergent political structure. Part Two explores public opinion in the country as a whole, and argues that propaganda electioneering, religious conflict and petitions committed men to organized networks of belief.

About this title

Book Description

The aftermath of the Popish Plot and the subsequent succession crisis provide the context for this new study. It challenges the assumption that the unrest was the result of a centrally organized party machine, and explores the wider conflict in the context of public opinion.

From the Back Cover

The aftermath of the Popish Plot and the subsequent succession crisis of the years 1678 to 1681 are the context for this new study. It asks two key questions: Was there an exclusion crisis? and, Did these years witness the birth of modern political parties? Through a detailed analysis of Parliament, the court and the country, the author argues that the unrest was not simply due to a centrally organised party machine based around the single issue of exclusion, but was a broad-based controversy about the succession, fears of popery and arbitrary government which produced ideological polarisation and political sophistication. Part I examines central politics to explore the succession crisis within the context of the court and an emergent fluid but partisan political structure. Part II explores public opinion in the country as a whole, and argues that propaganda, electioneering, religious conflict and petitions and addresses committed men to organised networks of belief, but also ensured a struggle about the representation of the will of the people.

About this edition

• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0521024390
• ISBN 13: 9780521024396
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 444