Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who played a prominent role in the English Civil War and the subsequent period of British history known as the Interregnum (1649-1660). Following the execution of King Charles I in 1649, England became a republic called the Commonwealth of England. Oliver Cromwell was a key figure during this time, rising to prominence as a member of Parliament and a commander of the New Model Army. The New Model Army was a highly disciplined and effective fighting force that played a crucial role in the Parliamentary victories during the Civil War. In 1653, after the dissolution of the Rump Parliament and a short-lived experiment with a nominated assembly known as the Barebones Parliament, Oliver Cromwell became the Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland, effectively ruling as a military dictator. This period is known as the Protectorate (1653-1659). Under Cromwell's rule, England was divided into 11 military districts, each governed by a major-general. The country experienced a degree of religious tolerance, but freedom of worship was limited, and various restrictions were placed on Catholics and Anglicans. Cromwell's foreign policy was ambitious and aimed at expanding English influence abroad. He achieved notable military successes against the Dutch during the First Anglo-Dutch War (1652-1654) and against Spain in the Anglo-Spanish War (1654-1660). Oliver Cromwell died in 1658, and his son Richard briefly succeeded him as Lord Protector. However, Richard lacked the political and military experience of his father and faced numerous challenges to his rule. In 1660, the monarchy was restored under King Charles II, marking the end of the Interregnum and the beginning of the Restoration period in British history.