Why is the Revolution of 1688 called Glorious Revolution?

(1) Peaceful and Bloodless:

The most remarkable feature of the Revolution was that it was peaceful and accomplished without bloodshed. This revolution has a great significance in the history of England. Before the Revolution of 1688 all the political changes were brought in the wake of great bloodshed and excesses.

Civil Wars also came in their wake and lasted for years. However, this Revolution did not bring any civil war with it. Guns and gun powder were not touched during this Glorious Revolution.

The French Revolution which came in 1789 had the sacrifice of thousands of innocent people. It excited the sympathies and pity of others from all sides. However, in the case of the English Glorious Revolution noth­ing of the kind happened. It can rightly be said that it was an

unparalleled event in history of not only English but of the whole world.

(2) Establishment of Parliament’s supremacy:

The second specialty of the Glorious Revolution was that ultimate sovereignty came to be vested mainly in the Parliament. It served as an irreparable blow to the position of the king and the theory of Divine Rights of kings which. Tudors and early Stuarts followed so vigorously and blindly. In fact divine right theory stood condemned and question of hereditary succession was completely ruled out forever.

The king was now comple­tely dependent on the Parliament, no son or daughter of the present monarch could become monarch as a matter of right. Every succession was to be approved by the Parliament which was, considered as ultimate and final authority almost on the principle of election.

All powers of the administration were vested with the Parliament. The king’s ministers were now responsible to the Parliament for all acts of omission and commission and king began to be absolved of all responsibilities. National purse or the finances of the country were also placed with the Parliament.

Thus the king as not only to be a constitutional head and could not go against the wishes of Parliament. Supremacy of Parliament was fully well established; financial powers and prerogatives of the king were drastically cut and in these aspects kings became rather the shadow of their former self

(3) Unanimity of the People:

The Glorious Revolution could be possible only by the spectacular unanimity of the people. If the people of all walks of life had not cooperated in the attempt perhaps the Glorious Revolution would have been converted into a civil war and there would have been a lot of blood shed.

This had been happening earlier, in fact. All the people of the country rose as one man and decided on a unanimous course of action. The result was that without any bloodshed the real power came into the hands of the people and their representatives-Parliament.

(4) Whole Nation was Benefited:

As soon as the Parliament took over power from the hands of the king, it passed such Acts as would give maximum benefits to the people of the country. The judges were freed from the clutches of the king and all restrictions that were imposed on the judges were withdrawn.

Thus a step was taken towards the independence of the judiciary. Now people could be sure of getting justice so farit was only a bungling affair and the courts decided that the king wanted. The people were give religious freedom too and even the Catholics were not harshly treated. Spirit of revenge was now here to be seen but toleration became rather the national watchword.

According to the law of Treason people could get protection of law-courts and explain their conduct and behaviour. The press was also given freedom. So far it was controlled by the king. Now people could express themselves freely through the press without any fear.

They could even criticise the acts of omission and commission of the king. Thus the principles of the Glorious Revolution were beneficial to all the people in the country. They were extremely happy and satisfied.

(5) Superiority of England in Europe:

Before the Glorious Revolution, the British foreign policy used to be very weak. It was parliamentary of a low standard because England was directed by France in her foreign policy. It has rather rightly said that France decided about England’s foreign policy. William III, after his accession followed a vigorous foreign policy and was successful also.

So far English foreign policy was directed by France; now it was directed against France. William was at war with France when he ascended on the throne of England. He accepted the consideration that it shall provide him an opportunity to crush France which was trying to wipe out Netherlands. France was completely crushed in her defeat at the hands of the English.

The English victory helped in increasing the prestige and influence of England in her colonies. The foreign policy of England had won her glory in the European hemisphere. England became one of the first- rate powers in Europe.

Criticism:

The critics of the Glorious Revolution call it a conserva­tive settlement. Looked at from the modern view point it was

So to some extent. In fact it was a revolution of some rich People of the Parliament, was were aspiring for high positions after the Revolution.

In addition, some Whig and Tory families captured political power. We also find that extending invitation William and Mary was only a political Brahma staged by a few powerful directors in the name of the masses. Consent and approval of the people was managed and manipulated.

Thus the powerful rich tactfully and successfully arranged the whole show in a manner which suited their convenience. Thus people either consulted the masses in any manner and at any stage; nor did they set right the electoral system giving masses any effective had in the composition and law-making process of their country. They did not even give the right of vote to the common people.

In fact, the Whigs and the Tories were fighting against the absolute monarch and they did not think about consulting the people or giving the right of vote to the common people.

The people ere illiterate and ignorant. Had they been given and power or consulted, they would not have done any positive service to the country. They would have harmed. In short, though the Glorious Revolution did not succeed in setting up complete democracy, yet the freedom of the English race and the power of the Parliament were established.