Britain

Essay by nanthatcha October 2014

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BS250: Modern British History Glorious Rev. Nanthatcha

The Glorious Revolution is the name given to a series of events that took place in the late 17th century in England. It was one of the greatest landmarks in the history of England as a bloodless revolution. In English history, the Glorious Revolution lead to the deposition of James II and the ascension of William III and Mary II to the English throne. In the origins and outcome of the Glorious Revolution, religion plays a significant role, however; politics also had a key role to play.

In 17th Century England, religion and politics came close to being a single entity. Religion played a major role in the decisions made in the courts and parliament, and politics decided which religion would be dominant. Religion was not the sole cause for the Glorious Revolution; it needed the spice of politics to heat things up.

The origins of the Glorious Revolution have the root back when Charles II was placed on the throne. People already had their misgivings about Charles II as the Stuarts were suspected of favoring Roman Catholicism and wanting to restore an absolute monarchy. When Charles II was on his deathbed, a parliamentary group, called the Whigs, tried to ensure a protestant successor by excluding the Duke of York, James. James II believed in 'the Divine Right of Kings' and tried to create religious liberty for English Roman Catholics and Protestant nonconformists against the wishes of the English Parliament.

To understand what went on after the Revolution of 1688 it is crucial to put it in the context of the entire way the political stability was changing in England during this period. When Charles II died his brother, James II gained the throne in 1685. His main objective was to re-establish the...