Question

Throughout the 17th Century, England experienced a series of social, political and religious upheavals, including what has become known as the Glorious Revolution of 1688. Explain the history of this significant social and political event in English Society. What was the Glorious Revolution? Why it happened, how it happened, and how it changed social and political life not only in England but in the English Colonies in America as well. Explore how the fruits of this Glorious Revolution in England may have also impacted other European peoples, especially those on the European Continent during the Enlightenment which began just a few years later in the early 1700s.

Answer 1

Answer: Occurred between 1688 and 1689, the Glorious Revolution was a maneuver of the English Parliament to depose House Stuart monarch James II (1633-1701) and to elevate its firstborn, Princess Mary (1662-1694) in its place. Along with his nephew and son-in-law - William III of Orange (1650-1702) of the House of Orange-Nassau.

Fearing that a Catholic dynasty would now be established that would bring back Catholic influence in England the more conservative Whigs in favor of a Protestant monarchy in England and the more liberal Tories in favor of greater power for Parliament - united to offer the king's firstborn the Crown. James II fled into exile in France with his queen and son, and was deposed. Maria and William were then crowned.

As part of the agreement with Parliament, the Bill of Rights (originally Bill of Rights) would be promulgated, which set out a series of conditions that in practice gave rise to the English constitutional monarchy, such as the convening of Parliament at regular intervals, levying new taxes only with parliamentary approval and immunity from the deputies, who should no longer fear arbitrary arrests by the king. Thus the monarchy came to be subjugated to Parliament. Even if the Stuart Dynasty was eventually extinguished and replaced by the House of Hanover, the Bill of Rights remained in force; indeed, it was a profoundly influential document, being the inspiration for the 1789 Declaration of Human and Citizen's Rights, and various constitutions thereafter. The rules established there continue to be respected in contemporary constitutional law.