There has been much debate over whether Cromwell was a hero who saved his country from a maniacal dictator, or a villain who simply became one. This will likely never be resolved, but I have attempted to put forward some reasons for each argument and my decision based on these reasons.
Cromwell was a villain for many reasons including:
He closed Parliament, this was the reason he executed Charles 1st.
He executed the king.
He slaughtered innocent women and children.
He got rid of many popular holidays and venues.
In 1653, Oliver Cromwell decided to close parliament. Although this does not prove that Cromwell was a villain, it does prove he was a hypocrite as closing parliament was one of the main reasons that Charles 1st was executed.
Cromwell was one of the people on the jury which tried Charles 1st after the second Civil war. This jury sentenced Charles 1st to death, which makes Cromwell indirectly guilty of regicide (the murder of a monarch). Some people could also argue that this is also homicide which, although it is true, is not quite as serious because Cromwell had already killed many in battle and sentenced other people as part of a parliament.
During his invasion of Ireland in 1649 1650, Cromwell, or more accurately his soldiers, ruthlessly slaughtered innocent civilians. A total of 3500 people were massacred at the siege of