Travelling Back in Time to the Days of Roundheads and Cavaliers

Contact Your Elected Officials

These days many Americans tend to prefer a โ€œrefinedโ€ or โ€œsophisticatedโ€ leader rather than someone who is isn’t afraid to tell the people the truth to their faces, no matter how ugly that truth might be. Well, it often happens that the โ€œsophisticatedโ€ types rarely get anything done. Enter people like Donald Trump, however, and things start happening. Another example of such a leader is Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell (1599-1658) was a great English patriot and statesman. His name is perhaps not familiar to most Americans; so to become better acquainted with his story, the 1970 movie Cromwell (starring Richard Harris and Alec Guinness)is highly recommended. At first glance the tale might appear only as dusty, forgotten, old English history that it doesnโ€™t mean a thing anymore. Actually, this filmโ€™s portrayal of the leadership of Oliver Cromwell has striking lessons for even Americans today.  

In England during the 1600s, Parliament clashed with the tyrannical King Charles I. This sparked a civil war between the kingโ€™s men (the Cavaliers), and the Parliamentary army (the Roundheads) headed by Cromwell. The war eventually ended with the beheading of Charles I, and later, Cromwellโ€™s becoming Lord Protector of England, until his death in 1658.

As the film demonstrates, even good governments eventually mold into tyranny, and the ordinary people become controlled by elites. When tyranny begins to take over, it is the right of the people to alter or abolish such government and to institute new government (as stated in the Declaration of Independence). In the movie, Cromwell points out that โ€œit is the difference between being asked and being toldโ€ that makes a nationโ€™s government what it is and a people who they are. Currently, we Americans are being told to do so much, and asked so little.

The film also shows we should choose leaders who cannot be swayed by popular opinion. In the movie, Cromwell was offered 40,000ยฃโ€”merely to spare Charles I from his death sentence. Cromwellโ€™s disgusted reply was โ€œHow little you know me that you think you can buy my principles.โ€ A simple answer, yes. But how many politicians todayโ€”local, state, and nationalโ€”would as decidedly answer in that way? How many politicians daily (and willingly) allow their principles to be bought? The statistics would be shocking, to say the least. Too many politicians are doing what is easy, popular, and rewarding.

A third point from the movie is, as Cromwell realized, that individuals in positions of power need to understand that they are not above the law themselves. This is most emphasized by what Cromwell told those hesitating to impose the death sentence on Charles I: โ€œEngland is not the king! The king is not England!โ€ As Americans, we must remember that the United States is not the president, and that the president is not the United States.

To summarize, the drama of Cromwell should not be lost on us as Americans. Similar to the situation in the movie, our country is experiencing a turbulent time and tolerating a tyrannical form of government. We American citizens are taking part in this drama whether we like it or not. What we say, what we stand up for, and how we act during this crisis is important. So with the midterm elections approaching, we need to cast our votes for strong, decisive, candidates with good character who will provide us with the leadership so sorely needed today in our nation.

Bibliography:

Cromwell. Dir. Ken Hughes. With Richard Harris, Alec Guinness, and Robert Morley. Columbia, 1970.

Playlist: Cromwell (1970)

Natalie Morris
Natalie Morris
Natalie Morris began her TTC column in 2021, recently publishing her 50th post. She enjoys writing about issues that affect average Americans (such as herself), as well as U.S. history and culture. She firmly believes that a day in which no writing is done is a day that is wasted.

Remember Epsteinโ€™s โ€œLittle Black Booksโ€?

Image of Bill Clinton getting a massage from Jeffrey...

On the Major Leagueโ€™s periphery: A major trip through the minors

For Nick Dunn, the trek through the minors is a trifecta of physical, mental, and organizational hurdles filled with politics, roster volatility, and injuries.

Private Citizens are Now Looking into Epstein Client List

Most Americans have never felt so betrayed and confused by a president and his admin as they are by the Trump admin over the Epstein client list issue.

Peace In Ukraine Wonโ€™t End The Westโ€™s Hybrid War On Russia

The Westโ€™s Hybrid War on Russia to follow peace in Ukraine is inevitable due to neoconservatives and liberal-globalists in its decision-making ecosystem.

Epstein Case Closed?

The DOJ and FBI announced on Sunday evening of the July 4th holiday weekend that Jeffry Epstein had no client list and didnโ€™t kill himself in prison.

Federal Judge Blocks Trumpโ€™s Birthright Citizenship Order After Supreme Court Ruling

Judge barred Trump admin from enforcing EO limiting birthright citizenship, after Supreme Court restricted judges from issuing nationwide injunctions.

California Might Stop Making Necessary Debt Payments for 2 Years

California State Legislature met the budget submission deadline and it was signed by the governor, but they still need to cut $12 billion in spending.

MP Materials Secures Rare Earths Deal With DOD, Shares Surge 50 Percent

MP Materials Corp. announced a public-private partnership with the DOD to build out rare earth magnet supply chain and reduce dependency on China.

Ex-CIA Director Brennan Says DOJ Hasnโ€™t Contacted Him About an Investigation

Former CIA Dir Brennan said he hasn't been contacted by DOJ, FBI, or CIA following reports he and former FBI Dir. Comey are under investigation.

RFK Jr. Bans Illegal Immigrants From Government-Funded Programs

HHS Sec. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is rescinding a 1998 interpretation of a law that allowed illegal immigrants to access certain government-funded programs.

Rubio Set to Visit Malaysia for ASEAN Meetings Amid Tariff Tensions

A delegation including U.S. Sec. of State Marco Rubio will travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for series of high-profile meetings between July 11 and 12.

US Will Collect More Than $300 Billion in Tariff Revenues This Year, Treasury Secretary Says

U.S. is on track to potentially raise โ€œwell over $300 billionโ€ in tariff income by end of the year, Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent said during WH Cabinet meeting.

Senate Panel Advances Trumpโ€™s CDC Director Nominee

A Senate committee on July 9 voted to advance the nomination of Susan Monarez to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
spot_img

Related Articles