The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Revolution of 1688, was a political event in England that occurred between 1688 and 1689. It resulted in the overthrow of King James II and the establishment of the joint monarchy of William III and Mary II.
It established the principle that a king or queen could be removed from the throne if they were deemed to be acting against the best interests of the country and the people. This principle is known as the "contract theory of monarchy" and it holds that the monarch's rule is conditional upon their adherence to the laws and customs of the realm. This idea is important as it set a precedent for future events like the American Revolution and the Bill of Rights.
Three ideas that look familiar to you:
Limited Monarchy: The Glorious Revolution established the principle that the power of the monarch is not absolute, but rather limited by laws and customs. This idea is similar to the limited government principle in the US Constitution.
Representation: The Glorious Revolution resulted in the establishment of a joint monarchy, with William and Mary ruling together. This was a form of representation, as the monarchs were not ruling alone but with the consent of the people.
Right to resistance: The Glorious Revolution also established the idea that it is the right of the people to resist or overthrow a ruler if they are deemed to be acting against the best interests of the country and the people. This principle is similar to the idea of the "right to revolution" in the American colonies.
The Glorious Revolution is important to the study of American history because it was one of the key events that influenced the ideas that led to the American Revolution. The contract theory of monarchy and the idea of limited government were important concepts that were adopted by the American colonists, and the right to resistance principle also influenced the colonists' decision to rebel against British rule. Additionally, the Glorious Revolution also lead to the Bill of Rights (1689) which set down the rights and freedoms of the subjects and it is considered as a precursor to the American Bill of Rights.