Which Two Events In Britain Indirectly Influenced The American Revolution

Two major events in Britain that indirectly influenced the American Revolution were:

1. The Glorious Revolution (1688)

• What happened? The Glorious Revolution marked the overthrow of King James II of England and the ascension of William III and Mary II to the throne. This event established constitutional monarchy in Britain, emphasizing parliamentary sovereignty over royal authority.
• Impact on the American Colonies: The colonies observed the principles of limited government and the rights of the governed as emerging from this revolution. The English Bill of Rights (1689), a product of this revolution, introduced ideas such as:
  • Limits on the power of the monarchy.
  • Protection of certain individual rights.
  • The concept of the rule of law and parliamentary authority. These ideas resonated with American colonists, planting seeds for their demands for self-governance and resistance to perceived overreach by the British Crown.
• Example of Influence: Colonists referenced the English Bill of Rights when protesting laws such as the Stamp Act (1765), claiming that “no taxation without representation” was a violation of their inherited rights.

2. The Enlightenment in Britain

• What happened? Enlightenment ideas, heavily developed in Britain by thinkers such as John Locke, profoundly influenced political thought. Locke’s theories of natural rights (life, liberty, and property) and the social contract argued that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed.
• Impact on the American Colonies: Enlightenment ideals became a cornerstone of colonial resistance against British rule. Colonists believed that the British government was violating their natural rights and breaching the social contract by imposing taxes and laws without proper representation.
• Example of Influence: Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence (1776) borrowed heavily from Locke’s ideas, explicitly stating grievances against the British Crown as breaches of the colonists’ natural rights and justifications for rebellion.

Summary of Indirect Influence

Both the Glorious Revolution and the Enlightenment provided frameworks for the colonists to critique British policies and justify their revolution. While the Glorious Revolution showed the possibility of limiting monarchical power, the Enlightenment supplied the philosophical foundation for revolution, ultimately fueling the American fight for independence.