The Glorious Revolution in 1688-1689 led to the overthrow of King James II by English Whigs, which prevented the establishment of a Catholic absolute monarchy in England.
James II's rule was modeled after Louis XIV of France, focusing on strengthening the monarchy's power.
The Glorious Revolution resulted in the ascension of Protestant rulers William of Orange and his wife Mary (James II's Protestant daughter).
James II and the Glorious Revolution
James II became king in 1685, succeeding his brother Charles II.
He aimed to centralize power, similar to his cousin Louis XIV of France, and practiced Roman Catholicism.
The birth of his Catholic son threatened a Catholic succession, alarming English Protestants.
James II modernized the English army and navy, keeping a standing army, which was seen as a threat to liberty.
Dominion of New England
Formed by James II in 1686, combining several colonies into one large colony, governed by Sir Edmund Andros.
The Dominion included Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Plymouth, Connecticut, New Haven, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey.
Andros's administration was unpopular due to land title issues and enforcement of the Navigation Acts.
Overthrow in the Colonies
The Glorious Revolution inspired colonial resistance, leading to the overthrow of Andros in 1689 by Bostonians.
In New York, Jacob Leisler led a Protestant uprising against the Dominion, assuming the role of governor.
Leisler was later executed for treason, marking tensions between colonial and British authority.
English Liberty
The Glorious Revolution led to a constitutional monarchy and the 1689 Bill of Rights, which limited royal power.
Rights guaranteed included Parliament's independence, freedom of speech, regular elections, and the right to petition.
John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" (1690) advocated for government as a contract with the people, emphasizing representation.
Locke's ideas influenced the importance of representation in government and rejected the divine right of kings.
Religious Tolerance
The English Toleration Act of 1689 allowed more religious diversity, granting tolerance to nonconformist Protestants like Baptists and Congregationalists.
This act extended to the colonies, though it excluded Catholics from political power.
Some colonies, like Pennsylvania and Rhode Island, did not establish an official church, promoting religious diversity.