The Glorious Revolution abolished absolutism and established a constitutional monarchy in England in which parliament had basic sovereignty over the king. The Glorious Revolution led to the 1689 English Bill of Rights which was quickly followed by the 1689 Mutiny Act which sought to limit the maintenance of a standing army during peacetime to one year.
Glorious Revolution and the American Colonies
The Glorious Revolution led to a spate of short-lived rebellions in the colonies which can be seen as precursors to the American Revolution. The English Bill of Rights, that followed the Glorious Revolution, also had a massive influence on the colonies in North America and the Constitution of the United States.
The Glorious Revolution in England
The Glorious Revolution in England changed the role and powers of the Kings of England from those of an Absolute monarch to a Constitutional monarch.
- An 'Absolute Monarchy' meant the king had the power to do do anything without any constraint by law or parliament
- A 'Constitutional Monarchy' meant the king acted as a figurehead whose power was limited by parliament