The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a very important event that changed how kings and queens held power in Britain. Here are the main points to know about it:

Background

• Conflict with James II: King James II was Catholic and wanted more power for himself. This caused problems with Parliament and the Protestant people.
• Religious Climate: By 1688, many people were afraid of Catholics taking control again. This created a lot of dislike for Catholics.
• Invitation to William of Orange: In June 1688, seven important nobles in England asked William of Orange for help, leading him to come to England.

Significance

• Parliamentary Supremacy: The revolution changed the government from a system with a powerful king to a constitutional monarchy. This meant that Parliament had the most power.
• Bill of Rights (1689): This important document set rules for the monarchy and gave rights to Parliament, including:
  • Holding regular meetings, having free elections, and allowing free speech in Parliament.
  • The king could not collect taxes or create an army without getting permission from Parliament.

Impact on Governance

• Shift in Political Power: After the revolution, the power shifted from the king to Parliament. This meant Parliament became the main authority.
• Succession Regulations: After the revolution, new laws were made to stop Catholics from becoming king or queen, set by the Act of Settlement in 1701.
• Constitutional Developments: The Glorious Revolution helped lead to important changes in the government later on, especially in the 19th century.

Statistics

• Firepower and Troops: About 15,000 troops were estimated to have fought on both sides during this time.
• Toleration Act (1689): After the revolution, this law was passed, allowing Nonconformists to worship freely. This affected around 1.5 million people who had different beliefs.

In short, the Glorious Revolution changed the way power worked in Britain. It limited the king's power and set the stage for modern parliamentary democracy.