The event in English history, relevant to Advanced Placement United States History curricula, denotes the overthrow of King James II in 1688 by William of Orange and Mary II. This transition of power resulted in a constitutional monarchy, limiting the power of the crown and establishing parliamentary supremacy. It is marked by a lack of significant bloodshed in England itself, hence the descriptor “glorious.” A key aspect of the revolution was the acceptance of the English Bill of Rights, guaranteeing certain rights and liberties to the people.
This event is significant because it solidified principles of limited government and influenced Enlightenment thought, subsequently impacting colonial American political thought. The ideas stemming from it, such as natural rights and government by consent, resonated with American colonists and played a role in shaping their grievances against British rule in the lead-up to the American Revolution. The establishment of clear limitations on monarchical power served as a model for those seeking greater autonomy and self-governance.
