The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was a pivotal event in the history of England that had profound consequences for the American Revolution. This revolution directly challenged the concept of absolute monarchy and laid the foundation for democratic principles that greatly influenced the founders of the United States. Here's how the Glorious Revolution influenced the American Revolution:
Rejection of Absolute Power:
- King James II's Rule: King James II of England asserted his divine right to rule and attempted to centralize power, disregarding the rights and privileges of Parliament and the people.
- Rebellion and Dethronement: In response, Parliament, backed by a coalition of nobles, merchants, and commoners, defied the King's authority. They dethroned him and offered the crown to his Protestant daughter, Mary, and her husband, William of Orange.
Establishment of Constitutional Monarchy:
- Bill of Rights: As a condition of accepting the crown, Mary and William agreed to sign the English Bill of Rights in 1689. This document became a cornerstone of constitutional law and outlined specific limitations on the power of the monarchy.
- Protection of Individual Rights: The Bill of Rights guaranteed certain rights and freedoms to individuals, including freedom of speech, the right to petition, the right to a fair trial, and regular parliamentary elections.
Limited Government:
- Parliamentary Sovereignty: The Glorious Revolution established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty, asserting Parliament as the supreme lawmaking body. The monarchy's authority became subject to the consent and approval of Parliament, shifting power from the Crown to the people's representatives.
Influence on American Revolutionaries:
- Intellectual Inspiration: The ideas of limited government, individual rights, and the social contract—fundamental principles established by the Glorious Revolution—deeply resonated with many American intellectuals, including Thomas Jefferson, Thomas Paine, and James Madison.
- Colonial Rights: American colonists, who were predominantly of British descent, were already questioning the authority of the British Crown and asserting their rights as English subjects. The Glorious Revolution provided them with a historical reference point and a successful example of resistance to royal tyranny.
- Declaration of Independence: The Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson and adopted by the Continental Congress in 1776, drew heavily on the principles elucidated during the Glorious Revolution. It explicitly denounced the British monarchy's absolute power and affirmed the right of the people to alter or abolish a government that disregarded their unalienable rights.
In essence, the Glorious Revolution shattered the myth of the divine right of kings and solidified the idea that government power should be limited and subject to the consent of the governed. These revolutionary concepts left a lasting legacy that significantly influenced the American Revolution and subsequent democratic movements worldwide.