What were the Putney Debates 1647?

The Putney Debates were a series of discussions between factions of the New Model Army and the Levellers concerning a new constitution for England. The debates were held at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Putney, Surrey, in October and November 1647.

What did the Levellers in the Putney Debates want?

In October 1647, the General Council of the Army met to debate the Leveller ideas set out in their manifesto, An Agreement of the People. This was a highly radical document which demanded manhood suffrage and an elected Parliament answerable to the people of England. They wanted to rid England of the ‘Norman Yoke.

What did the grandees want?

One of their demands was for universal male suffrage, i.e. a levelling. The Grandees, Cromwell amongst them, invited the radicals to debate their demands – resulting in the Putney Debates which started on the 28th October and lasted for three days.

What did the Levellers want?

The Levellers were a political movement during the English Civil War (1642–1651) committed to popular sovereignty, extended suffrage, equality before the law and religious tolerance.

Who were the Levellers in the English Civil War?

The Levellers were a group of radicals who during the years of the English Civil War challenged the control of Parliament. Between July and November 1647, the Levellers put forward plans that would have truly democratised England and Wales but would also have threatened the supremacy of Parliament.

When did the Putney debates end?

From the 28th October to 9th November 1647, soldiers and officers of Oliver Cromwell’s New Model Army, including civilian representation, held discussions on the constitution and future of England.

When was the heads of proposals?

1647
Heads of the Proposals (1647)

What was the purpose of the Putney debates?

Below, Tristram Hunt MP explains the central significance of the Putney Debates to the UK’s democracy. The debates that began at St Mary’s church on 28 October 1647 pioneered the liberal, democratic settlement: a written constitution, universal suffrage, freedom of conscience and equality before the law.

Why did the Putney debates take place?

It was the people who were sovereign. With Oliver Cromwell in the chair, the general council of the New Model Army came together at Putney church, in October 1647, to argue the case for a transparent, democratic state free from the taint of parliamentary or courtly corruption.

What methods did the Levellers use?

In many ways, the Levellers embodied a populist movement and exercised further control and influence through a well-thought out propaganda mechanism which involved pamphlets, petitions and speeches, all of which connected the group with the general public and conveyed their message.

Did the Levellers succeed?

Between July and November 1647, the Levellers put forward plans that would have truly democratised England and Wales but would also have threatened the supremacy of Parliament. For this reason, the Levellers never gained the amount of support in the right places that they needed to succeed. Video Player is loading.

Who were the Diggers and Levellers?

The Diggers were groups of agrarian communists who flourished in England and were led by Gerrard Winstanley and William Everard and lasted just under one year, between 1649 and 1650.