The Glorious Revolution of 1688The theme of “autonomy and responsibility” is prevalent in many great revolutionary wars throughout world history and especially in events that occurred in England during the 17th century. Autonomy is defined as self-government and independent existence or functioning. Responsibility is having obligations or duties towards something and being able to distinguish between right and wrong. In England, political leaders ousted King James II from the country to end his oppressive rule as absolute monarch. Dutch Prince William of Orange, James' son-in-law, invaded England to rule. Parliament gave the throne to William and his wife Mary, but placed restrictions on their sovereignty with the Bill of Rights. This declaration gave more power to the people and made them more accountable in government. The Glorious Revolution meant that Parliament and the common people of England had greater autonomy and responsibility in government. James II The people of England and the members of Parliament wanted to be free from the rule of King James II. James sought religious toleration for Catholics and “repeatedly declared that he wished to establish the Catholic religion.”1 The English people feared that James II would transmit a Catholic dynasty. He married a Catholic wife who gave birth to a male heir in June 1688. He continually ignored public opinion during the last months of his reign and believed that God favored his actions.2 The two major political parties in Parliament, the Whigs and Conservatives united in opposition to James. The English people elected these men to their positions, so they represented the majority opinion. ...... half of the document ...... Press, 1991), 87.5 “The Glorious Revolution.” http://landow.stg.brown.edu/victorian/history/Glorious_Revolution.html. (22 October 2000).6 Morrill, 84.7 Morrill, 84.8 Morrill, 88-89.9 Speck, 147.10 Speck, 141, 145-7.11 “The Bill of Rights,” in The Revolution of 1688 and the Birth of the EnglishPolitical Nation, 2nd ed ., and. Gerald M. Straka (Lexington: D.C. Heath and Company, 1973), 63.12 “The Bill of Rights,” 63.13 David Ogg, “The Revolution as a Reinforcement of English Institutions,” in TheRevolution of 1688 and the Birth of the English Political Nation , 2nd ed., ed. Gerald M. Straka (Lexington: DC Heath and Company, 1973), 105.14 Ogg, 105.15 Jack P. Greene, Negotiated Authorities (Charlottesville: University Press of Virginia, 1994), 81.16 Greene, 81.17 Greene, 82-83.