Year 8: Writing Historical Arguments:
Why was there a Civil War between King Charles I and Parliament?
Key Causes: religion, money, power
I am going to make my introduction short (5-10 lines). In my introduction, I will mention:
In my first section, I am going to write about my most important cause of the English Civil
War. My first cause is: choose from religion or money or power
For this reason, I am going to explain how it caused a war to start.
Example:
Money caused King Charles I to argue with Parliament. Money caused the argument
because King Charles needed money but Parliament would not give it to him. Parliament
would not give money to the king because…
Money also caused an argument because King Charles tried to make people pay ship
money but…
Money caused a war to start because...
TO REACH A HIGHER LEVEL - CAN YOU FIND QUOTATIONS FROM ANY SOURCES THAT SHOW
THAT YOUR FIRST CAUSE WAS THE MOST IMPORTANT?
King Charles and Queen Henrietta Maria
In my second section, I am going to write about my second most important cause of the
English Civil War. My second cause of the war is: religion or money or power
For this reason, I am going to explain how it caused a war to start.
Example:
Religion caused King Charles I to argue with Parliament. Religion caused the argument
because King Charles needed decorated churches and made them look beautiful and
expensive. Parliament did not like the changes to the churches because…
Religion also caused an argument because King Charles made people in Scotland use the
English Prayer Book. Scottish people were angry because…
Religion caused a war to start because...
TO REACH A HIGHER LEVEL - CAN YOU FIND QUOTATIONS FROM ANY SOURCES THAT SHOW
THAT YOUR SECOND CAUSE WAS IMPORTANT?
In my third section, I am going to mention my third and final cause of the English Civil War.
The cause that I have not written about yet is: religion or money or power
Use the examples from sections 1 and 2 to help you write about your third cause
In my fourth section, I am going to try to write a paragraph to show that I know some causes
are connected (linked) to each other.
Example:
Charles decorated the churches and made them look beautiful. This cause is connected
(linked) to Charles running out of money and having to use ship money. They are
connected (linked) because it cost a lot of money to decorate the churches.
Causes that are connected (linked) to each other:
_________ and ________ are connected because…
____________ and _______ are connected because…
FOR THE TOP LEVEL YOU WILL EXPLAIN THESE CONNECTIONS IN DETAIL AND WITH CONFIDENCE.
CAN YOU MAKE A ‘CHAIN OF CONNECTIONS’? e.g. _____ was connected to _____ because...
and this is linked to _____ and _____ because...
THE LEVEL 7/8 CHALLENGE, TRY TO...
Make sure that you have done a lot of
independent research about the Civil War and
show evidence of this research in your
newspaper report.
Can you comment and explain the relationship
between King Charles and Parliament? Can you
find evidence of confrontation? fear? hatred?
respect? superiority/inferiority?
Archbishop Laud
When I write historical arguments, I will always make sure that I end with a CONCLUSION. In
my conclusion, I will write WHAT I think and WHY I think it.
I am going to choose which of the three causes is most important and I am going to explain
why I think my cause is the most important.
Example:
Religion/Power/Money was the most important cause of the English Civil War because…
If I have seen any quotations or other evidence that help prove my causes are the most
important, I will mention them in my conclusion.
TWO THINGS TO ATTEMPT FOR THE HIGHEST LEVEL:
Can you pick at least 3 quotations from sources that support your conclusion? (Try not to use
the same quotations as you used earlier)
Can you try to give reasons why other people might reach a different conclusion about the
most important causes of the civil war? Can you explain possible reasons for these different
opinions?
WELL DONE! YOU HAVE SUCCESSFUL COMPLETED
YOUR ENGLISH CIVIL WAR ASSESSMENT!
WE’RE SURE THAT YOU HAVE DONE VERY WELL...
Writing Historical Arguments: The Causes of the English Civil War
Name: _____________________________ TG _______ Date: ___________
NC Levels – Mark Scheme: The things that you did well…
Level
Achieved?
Your Answer includes…
Know what the English Civil War was: e.g. who fought, when it happened
3
Can describe a few causes of the English Civil War e.g. King and Parliament argued, religious changes, Charles
I needed money
Can give some background to the Civil War/shows some basic knowledge e.g. King Charles I, Parliament,
religion, money, power
4
Can describe some causes of the civil war (see level 3) and begin to explain how they made the war start.
May use phrases such as ‘this made people angry because…’, ‘this made the war start because…’
Uses keywords to describe causes of the civil war in a paragraph of limited detail – some knowledge of
some events before the outbreak of war e.g. Charles rules without Parliament, changes to church, arrest MPs
Have used more than one source of information.
Detailed description of various events 1625-1642. Good explanation of causes and how each led to war.
5
Can begin to link some causes together. Give a simple explanation of connections e.g. Charles I changed the
churches. The changes made Puritans angry and many Puritan MPs turned against Charles.
Begin to express an opinion about which cause (religion, money, Parliament) was the most important some attempt at an explanation of why reached these judgments.
Begin to see why some causes (religious, financial, political) might be seen as more important than others.
6
Detailed description of various causes – where possible, writing style becoming analytical rather than
narrative. Confident explanation of how causes led to war – detailed explanation of significance of factors
leading to war.
Can link causes together and begin to explain links between causes (see level 5). Links may be implicit.
Some evidence of independent research about the causes of the civil war.
Clearly explain reasons why certain events happened/why certain decisions made.
Reach a valid conclusion (opinions well explained) that explains which cause was most important and why
the student thinks this. Reasons for choice are well explained with some supporting evidence from sources
or own historical knowledge.
7
Very detailed historical argument, analytically written showing full understanding and explanation of all of
the causes. Writing style is analytical throughout (moving away from largely narrative style).
Full, detailed explanation of reasons why each cause led to war – knowledge of why decisions, causes,
factors, events took place.
Can confidently explain links between different causes/events leading to war.
Well explained conclusion supported by several historical sources or solid historical knowledge. Student is
confident about why reached these judgements and clearly explains this.
Begin to show awareness of different possible interpretations of the importance of different causes
Significant evidence of independent research.
As level 7 plus...
8
Can confidently and articulately explain many links between many causes, consequences, events and
decisions.
Reach substantiated conclusions independently of class discussions that clearly articulate your own
opinions on a range of ‘why’ questions. You support these conclusions using relevant evidence that you
have selected critically.
You have prioritised the strongest arguments/evidence/factors that support your views.
Show why different interpretations of the causes of the English Civil War exist.
Are able to analyse the relationship between Charles and Parliament.
Overall Level __________
Targets ____________________
Year 8 Targets for Improvement
The Causes of the English Civil War
1. In your essay, mention more causes of the war.
2. In your essay, write about the causes of the war in much more detail.
3. Explain how each cause made the war start.
4. Explain, in more detail, how each cause made the war start.
5. Try to make links (connections) between different causes.
6. Try to make more links (connections) between different causes.
7. Try to add more detail to your explanation of connections/links.
8. Try to use quotations from historical sources throughout your assessment.
9. Try to write a conclusion.
10. Try to write about more causes in your conclusion.
11. Conclusion – explain WHAT you think and WHY you think it in more detail.
12. Try to select evidence from sources that supports your conclusion.
13. Do more independent research about the English Civil War and use this extra information
throughout your assessment.
14. Can you comment on the relationship between the King and Parliament? Is there
evidence to show fear, respect, hatred, confrontation?
15. Try to think of reasons why other people might reach a different conclusion about
which was the most important cause of the civil war. Try to explain those possible reasons.
My targets are:
1.
2.
3.
FOR HOMEWORK:
Look at your English Civil War assessment. Choose one section and try to improve it
using your targets to help you. Re-write the section in the front of your exercise book.
The Causes of the English Civil War
1625: Charles married a
Catholic woman, Henrietta
Maria.
This made people suspicious of Charles
because…
1629-1640: Charles ruled for eleven
years without Parliament.
Charles did this because…
This made Parliament angry because…
1641: The Irish Rebellion –
Catholics attacked Protestants.
This caused the civil war because…
This happened because…
This made people suspicious of Charles
because…
1642: Charles tried to arrest 5 MPs inside the House of Commons.
Charles did this because…
This made MPs angry because…
This caused the civil war because…
1627: Puritans angry with
King Charles’ changes to
the churches.
Puritans were angry about the
changes because…
This caused the civil war because…
Causes that are to do with…
Religion Money Power -
1627-1635: Archbishop William Laud
decorated the churches.
He decorated the churches by…
He decorated them because…
Changing the churches made people angry
because…
1640: Scottish army invades England
The Scots invaded England because…
This caused problems for Charles because…
Charles had to…
1625-1642: Charles believed in
the Divine Right of Kings.
This was the belief that…
This made Parliament angry because…
This caused the civil war because…
1635: Charles introduced Ship
Money.
Charles did this because…
This made people angry because…
1637: The English Prayer
Book caused riots in
Scottish churches.
Charles introduced the English Prayer
Book because…
This made people angry because…
1640: Charles had no money so he recalled Parliament.
Charles hoped that Parliament would…
This made Parliament angry because…
Conclusion: Which three causes are the most important? Which were the biggest problems?
Why do you believe these causes are the most important? Give reasons for your opinion.
The Causes of the English Civil War 1642
Learning Objective: To plan your answer to the question – ‘What were the causes of the English Civil War?’
Cause
C rules for 11 years without
Parliament
Scottish Army invade
Irish rebellion
Riots in Scotland
Catholic wife
Charles tries to arrest 5
MPs
Ship Money
Divine Right of Kings
William Laud decorates
churches
Charles has no money
Puritans angry with Charles
Type of
Cause
Explanation
(Keywords)
Caused the Civil War because…
Linked to?
Connected To?
SENTENCE STARTERS – CAUSES OF CIVIL WAR ASSESSMENT
Ship Money was when Charles decided to…
The reason Charles used Ship Money was…
Ship Money made people angry because…
Charles decorated the churches making them look expensive and beautiful.
He made them look beautiful by…
The reason that Charles decorated the churches was…
When Charles decorated the churches he made people angry because…
Charles believed in Divine Right which was the idea that…
Divine Right caused an argument between Charles and parliament because…
Charles sent Parliament away for 11 years and ruled on his own.
The reason that Charles sacked the MPs was…
Parliament was angry because…
Charles raised money without asking Parliament. He did this by selling k_______ and m________.
This made Parliament angry because…
The Irish Rebellion was when C________ attacked P________.
This happened because…
People were suspicious of Charles because…
Charles made people in Scotland use the English Prayer Book.
This made Scottish people angry because…
The Scottish formed an army and… This meant that Charles had to ask…
Charles did not like it when Puritans complained about him.
Charles decided to put Puritans in…
This made Parliament angry because…
Charles was married to a Catholic woman, Henrietta Maria. This made people suspicious because…