Foreign:
Defeat Dutch in fight over English and Dutch commercial and
colonial rivalry
How tried to achieve: war
Success: No
Dutch sunk five battleships
France and Denmark allied with the Dutch
Why: people said King and Council
did not have enough interest in affairs of government
Foreign:
Form alliance with France
How tried to achieve: signed secret
treaty of Dover with Louis XIV under which he would declare
himself a Catholic so England would side with France against
the Dutch
Success: No
Why: Parliament forbid Catholics from
sitting in Parliament
alliance with Louis was ended, with
marriage of Charles II’s niece Mary to Louis's rival,
William of Orange
Domestic:
Improve sciences
How tried to achieve: sponsored founding
of the Royal Society
Success: Yes
Why: Royal Society is still in existence
today
Domestic:
Improve building structure
How tried to achieve: funded rebuilding
at Windsor Castle
also patron of Christopher Wren in design and rebuilding of
St Paul's Cathedral, Chelsea Hospital and other London buildings
Success: Yes
Why: Windsor Castle, St Paul's Cathedral
and Chelsea Hospital still standing
Domestic:
Secure toleration for Catholics
How tried to achieve: issued Declaration
of Indulgence
suspended punishing laws against
Catholics and Nonconformists
Success: No
Why: was forced to withdraw the Declaration
in 1673
