It is indeed ironic that despite having fought to defend the rights of Parliament in the Civil War of 1642-46, Cromwell forcibly dissolved the Rump in 1653, a mere 4 years after the execution of the King and establishment of the English Republic. Moreover, the reasoning behind the decision to terminate the proceedings of this Parliament, which had by now been dwindled down by various purgations to about fifty-three members, has been a matter of much historical …showed first 75 words of 631 total…

…showed last 75 words of 631 total…providence'. Therefore, in conclusion, it was the prospect of a defective bill for a new representative suddenly being passed that triggered Cromwell to forcibly dissolve the Rump in 1653, in conjunction with the growing dissatisfaction surrounding the parliament. The Rump's failure to enact useful measures of legal and religious reform due to their conservative obstructionism were long term factors that eventually lead Cromwell to terminate the parliament he had fought to protect during the Civil War.