What is Glorious Revolution? How far James II is responsible for Glorious Revolution?

 

Question: What is Glorious Revolution? How far James II is responsible for Glorious Revolution?

Ans: Glorious Revolution happened in England in the year 1668. Glorious Revolution is also called as ‘Bloodless Revolution’. Glorious Revolution took place due to religious intolerance of King James II, the last Roman Catholic monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland. He inherited these kingdoms from his brother Charles II.

 

Reasons for Glorious Revolution:

1. James II wanted to establish monarchial form of government in England. To achieve his aim he paid heed to parliament’s opinion and established monarchial form of Government. After few years of coronation ceremony, he suspended parliament and started autocratic rule.

2. Political groups and middle class started hating King James II.

3. King James II favoured Catholic Religion. He appointed Catholics in Army, important administrative posts, and Universities. He removed those who did not listen to him.

Ex.1: King James II suspended the Vice chancellor of Cambridge University, when he denied to award doctorate to a Catholic leader.

Ex.2: King James II suspended all the professors of England’s Magdalene College, when they did not accept his decision of appointing a Catholic as the head of the college.

Ex.3: In 1687, Robster was removed from the position of Finance minister, due to James II’s religious intolerance.

Due to such reasons, James II was hated by his countrymen. Thus the seed of revolution were laid.

4. James II introduced a religious act in 1687; it was designed in such a way that it was beneficiary only to Catholics. Anglicans revolted against this act. Again in 1688, James II passed another act, which was beneficiary to only Catholics. James II also ordered the Anglican Church heads to read it out in Anglican Churches. 7 Protestant Bishops, who considered it as a humiliation, requested for exemption from this duty. Those 7 Bishops were tried on the charges of sedition.

5. Immediate reason for 1688 Revolution: As James II’s daughters Anne Hyde and Marry were Protestants. Protestants considered the oppressive laws as temporary. They made up their _________________________________________________________________________

* Mary Anne - James II’s wife.

* Mary and Anne – James II’s daughters who were Protestants.

 

minds to be patient till the death of James II. But, Mary Anne, the middle aged wife of James II, gave birth to a male child. James did not invite any Protestant to the celebration, including his own daughter Mary and her husband William III of Holland. Angered people of England invited William III, king of Holland to invade on England. This incident is popular in the history of Europe as the Glorious Revolution.

            William III attacked on England on 19 October 1688. He was supported by Sweden, Prussia, Scotland and England soldiers. With 500 plus fleet William III attacked on England. James II’s another daughter Anne, many protestant officers including Churchill, military general of James II also joined with William III. James II lost his nerve and remained perplexed. On 23 December 1688, James II abdicated the throne, threw away royal seal and escaped to France. England Parliament invited Mary and William III to take over the reins. With their accession Glorious Revolution came to an end.