The Western Design and the spiritual geopolitics of Cromwellian foreign policy

作者: David L. Smith

DOI: 10.1017/S016511531600036X

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摘要: This paper explores the multi-faceted nature of spiritual geopolitics that shaped Cromwellian foreign policy in relation to Western Design 1654-5. It stresses central importance Protestant religion as a motivating force and argues failure was interpreted religious terms just much its original aims had been. A number motives combined drive Cromwell into launching Design. These included: ‘Elizabethan’ tradition English anti-Spanish policy; pursuit England’s imperial/colonial interests Caribbean; an attempt strengthen England financially by weakening Spanish economy; search for security within Europe allying with France against Spain; and, underpinning all these, crusade power regarded ‘providential enemy’. The summer 1655 perceived similarly terms. Just recent scholarship on Britain’s internal conflicts 1640s has emphasised role inseparability from other issues, so same phenomenon is evident not only but also how defeat interpreted.

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