Political Causes Of The English Civil War

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The main political and religious causes of the English Civil wars was due to the citizens being angry against with James II government, and William Prince of Orange declaration influenced many people to support him in his quest to invade England. Through James II losing most of his officer corps and John Churchill along with his own daughter to William Prince of Orange he was forced to retreat thus allowing the townspeople to throw out the military leaders. Due to James II retreat a negotiated settlement grew more unlikely as it meant that he would lose all of his power. When Parliament declared that William and James II daughter Mary would become the new monarchs further reasons leading to a civil war were created. After the House of Commons …show more content…

Pincus further demonstrates how this was a continuation of an earlier unfulfilled revolution when discussing how English became a more commercial and urban society after the revolution occurred. Through the towns becoming more comfortable places to live the economy also improved and England’s developing infrastructure facilitated the trends toward urbanization and commercialization. The Glorious Revolution was further shown to be the first modern revolution as England overseas trade made it immune to the economic protectionist barriers. Through Pincus demonstrating how England’s economic and social transformation differs from the believed restorative bloodless political revolution that took place. Pincus demonstrates how England was in fact a rapidly modernizing society. As Pincus stated “The revolution was perhaps the first political struggle of the Enlightenment, a struggle in which the political rights and material welfare of the people were at stake; it was certainly not the last battle of the age of religious wars” (31). The Glorious Revolution of 1688 was continued to be shown as the first modern revolution as both James II and William III believed they were responsible for England’s economic welfare and political economy, they however just held different visions for what a modernized England appeared. Pincus further emphasizes why this was the first modern revolution by stating “The revolution radically altered the English state, the English economy, and the English Church. The English had truly brought about the first modern revolution” (33). The Glorious Revolution continued to demonstrate how it was the first modern revolution when Pincus discussed how the revolution altered the ideological orientation of England’s politics. Through Pincus stating “Three revolutionary changes in

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