Glorious Revolution

Definition

The Glorious Revolution refers to the overthrow of King James II of England in 1688, leading to the ascension of William III and Mary II to the throne. This revolution is significant because it established constitutional monarchy in England and laid the groundwork for modern democratic governance, emphasizing the importance of a social contract between the rulers and the governed.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Glorious Revolution was largely bloodless, with minimal violence compared to other revolutions in history.
2. It was driven by fears of a Catholic monarchy under James II, prompting Protestant leaders to invite William of Orange to invade England.
3. The revolution resulted in the establishment of the Bill of Rights 1689, which set limits on royal authority and affirmed parliamentary sovereignty.
4. The Glorious Revolution is often viewed as a pivotal moment that influenced political thought, particularly the development of liberal democracy.
5. This event marked a significant shift in power from the monarchy to Parliament, fundamentally changing the governance structure in England.

Review Questions

• How did the Glorious Revolution change the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament in England?
  • The Glorious Revolution significantly altered the balance of power between the monarchy and Parliament by establishing parliamentary sovereignty. With the Bill of Rights 1689, Parliament gained critical powers, limiting what the monarch could do without their consent. This laid the foundation for constitutional monarchy, where the monarch's powers are checked by law and governance structures established by Parliament.
• Discuss the role of social contract theory in shaping the outcomes of the Glorious Revolution.
  • Social contract theory played a crucial role in justifying the actions taken during the Glorious Revolution. Philosophers like John Locke argued that governments exist based on the consent of the governed and that people have the right to overthrow a ruler who does not uphold their rights. This idea empowered revolutionaries and helped frame their struggle against King James II as a legitimate response to tyranny, ultimately leading to a new political order based on individual rights and representative government.
• Evaluate how the outcomes of the Glorious Revolution set precedents for future democratic movements worldwide.
  • The outcomes of the Glorious Revolution established key principles that would resonate with future democratic movements, such as limited government, individual rights, and accountability of rulers to their subjects. By solidifying parliamentary sovereignty and introducing concepts like separation of powers through documents like the Bill of Rights, it inspired revolutions and reforms beyond England, influencing thinkers like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison in America. The principles born from this event became cornerstones in various struggles for democracy around the globe, showing its lasting impact on governance.

Related terms

Constitutional Monarchy: A system of government in which a monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government, limiting their absolute power and ensuring that laws apply equally to all citizens.

Social Contract: A philosophical theory that suggests individuals consent, either explicitly or implicitly, to surrender some freedoms to authority in exchange for protection of their remaining rights.

Bill of Rights 1689: An act passed by Parliament that limited the powers of the monarchy and outlined specific rights for Parliament and individuals, reinforcing principles established during the Glorious Revolution.