The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists from 1642 to 1651. It primarily stemmed from disputes over how England should be governed and issues of religious freedom. The war led to the trial and execution of King Charles I and the temporary establishment of a republican government under Oliver Cromwell. The conflict resulted in significant social and political changes in England. The war ended with the defeat of the Royalists and the establishment of the Commonwealth, which marked a pivotal moment in the development of modern democracy in England.