Revolution of 1688 Called Glorious Revolution
by (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.
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