Gabriel Hannon

The, wait, what did we decide to call this one, Revolution

Whiggish Outcomes: Dec. of Rights, the general success of the Whigs in the aftermath of

Revolution, and delayed exclusion of James all victories for Whigs (Glassey 21). Counter:

Williams rule and compromises in many key Whig reforms indicate conservative influence.

Tory role: By reaching out to repeal wing of the Whigs, James isolates Anglican Tories;

Passive Resistance to toleration, involvement in Ang. Church and local govt, chips away at

natural Stuart/Tory alliance. J. drives Tories to help spark Rev; Tories influence final Settlement

Nationalist Revolt: the bilateral support (moderate Whigs, Tories) indicates emergence of

national identity dedicated to laws and constitution, not a particular monarch. View incorporates

natl policy (opposition to James French leanings, casting of him in model of French tyrant)

James legacy: hinges on forgotten/erased repealers. W/repealers, J. bold and enlightened

tolerationist, acting on moral high ground w/pop support; Rev. a conservative reaction, Tol. Act a

strategic conservative concession. W/o repealers, deluded tyrant who ignored laws, made Rev.

inevitable and just; Tol. Act gracious, official welcome to specific groups (Sowerby).

Dutch conquest thry: acknowledges Ws army, long term Anglo-Dutch conflicts. Internal

affairs, however, required to cause anti-James sentiment W. uses to validate his actions.

2) James goals: Rel. tol. Goes back on popular statement to preserve this govt, both in

Church and State, as it is now by Law established. Isolates Tories, turns to repealers, seeking

support for circumvention of laws. In all particulars of his actions, regardless of whether consider

him Cath. tyrant or Enlightened, he uses French model of political authoritarianism, if not

absolutism: royal prerogative, dispensation, regulators, standing army (Pincus 83).

Opposition: All against: popery, arbitrary govt, monarchal power over laws (ex: packing

court, suspending Parl.); Whigs fear political slavery; gen. pop. fearful of France; Anglican-
 Tories upset over loss of power under Cath. and non-conformist toleration (Whigs only oppose

Cath.); repealers (e.g. Quakers), practically only supporters of James, but have little power.

James fall: Whigs continue long standing resistance to Stuarts; James pushes Tory limit

of passive resistance, with incursions on local govt, conflict with Ang. bishops, Magdalen

College; birth of prince of Wales pushes immortal seven to invite W. Tories had not meant to

dethrone legitimate monarch, feared that invasion was active resistance; hoped that would just

serve as warning to reign in James; Ws invasion manifesto attempts to assuage Tory fears

(Harris 131). James flees, yielding initiative to W. and Whigs.

Settlement: Convention to determine kingship and conditions of new rule; balanced

Whig/tory constituency. Debate: abdication vs. forfeiture by gross misbehavior of crown; Tory

concerns over dethroning monarch; succession broken = Whig victory (Marshall 65). Dec. of

Rights, though not legally binding, establishes groundwork for pro-parl. and whiggish reforms of

next decade; settlement has conservative compromises efforts (ex: rel. tol.); also, in general, little

practical effect on power of monarchy (Harris 134); Jac. Whigs see Rev. as failure (Goldie)

3) The Rev. of 1688-9 evades simple classification as cause, effect, and responsibility blur

among fluid groups and party identities, with James actions often confusing old alliances.

Sowerbys investigation of the repealer mvt contextualizes some of James actions,

emphasizing the conservative elements of lead up to the Rev. and the eventual resolution. Pincus

nationalist interpretation offers a view above party lines, resolving the issue of unclear alliances.

Combining these, the Tories and moderate Whigs unite in conservative religious resistance,

placing loyalty to law and nation above monarchy. Whigs win a moderate constitutional, if not

practical, victory against Stuart/Tory authoritarianism.