The Glorious Revolution – A Bloodless Coup (1688)
In 1688, Britain witnessed a revolution without bloodshed —
an extraordinary event that reshaped its monarchy and democracy forever.
Background:
•King James II, a Catholic monarch, alarmed many in Protestant England by promoting Catholicism and attempting to centralize royal power.
•Fearful of a Catholic dynasty, a group of influential nobles invited William of Orange, husband to James’s Protestant daughter Mary, to intervene.
The Revolution:
•William landed in England in November 1688 with a small but powerful army.
•James II’s support crumbled rapidly — military leaders, nobles, and even his own daughter deserted him.
•Facing inevitable defeat, James fled to France, effectively abdicating the throne without major violence.
Aftermath:
•William III and Mary II were offered the throne by Parliament — but under conditions:
•They accepted the Bill of Rights (1689), which limited the powers of the monarchy and strengthened the rights of Parliament and citizens.
•Constitutional Monarchy was established: kings and queens would now reign, but they would rule only by the consent of Parliament.
Why It Matters:
•The Glorious Revolution laid the foundations for modern democracy in Britain.
•It guaranteed individual rights, religious toleration (for Protestants), and limits on government power.
•It influenced revolutions and constitutional models across Europe and America.
The Glorious Revolution was not just a bloodless coup —it was the birth of a new political system: monarchy bound by law, and liberty safeguarded by Parliament.
