Conflicts between Crown and Parliament: failure of negotiations between the King and the Long Parliament; the execution of Strafford and its political consequences
When the Long Parliament met in 1640, Charles I and MPs tried to reach a deal — but talks broke down completely. Parliament then executed Charles's most powerful minister, the Earl of Strafford, which destroyed any remaining trust between the two sides.
Real World
Charles's decision to sign Strafford's death warrant despite promising to protect him destroyed trust just as a CEO who breaks a deal with a key ally loses all credibility with the board. MPs who had pressured Charles into the execution then feared he would never forgive them, making compromise harder — each side now had reason to fear what the other might do if they gained the upper hand.
Exam Focus
Explain why Strafford's execution deepened the crisis rather than resolving it — the best answers show it worsened distrust on both sides.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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