THE ABSOLUTIST PROJECT OF JAMES II

THE ABSOLUTIST PROJECT OF JAMES II in theory and practicec. 1685-1688, Part II

James IIs authoritarian imperialism1. June, 1686: The regime begins preparations for a war against the Dutch Republic potentially, the Fourth Anglo-Dutch War.2. 1686-1688: James II revokes local charters, constitutions, and assemblies in the English colonies in North America and rules them directly through royally-appointed governors (e.g., the Dominion of New England from 1686 to 1689).3. 1686-1690: James II supports the monopolistic East India Company in its conflicts with free-trading English interlopers and in the war it launches against the Mughal Empire (i.e., the First Anglo-Mughal War of 1688-1690).

The Dominion of New England, 1686-1689

On the verge of absolutism1. April 4, 1687: James II issues the first Declaration of Indulgence (the Declaration for the Liberty of Conscience) in England, granting religious toleration by suspending the penal laws that enforce the Church of Englands religious monopoly and eliminating religious oaths as a requirement for holding public office.2. In late 1687, the Court begins transforming the electorate in order to pack Parliament with supporters of James IIs policies.

On the verge of absolutism, continued3. April 27, 1688: James II issues the second Declaration of Indulgence and demands that Anglican bishops and clergy announce it from the pulpits; many Anglican bishops and clergy refuse to do so, and even declare the Declaration illegal, leading to the Trial of the Seven Bishops.4. The Tories are against the Declaration of Indulgence because they are staunch supporters of the Church of England and are opposed to religious toleration; the Whigs are against the Declaration of Indulgence because they believe that the only sure foundation for religious liberty/religious toleration is civil liberty, which is based on Parliament and the rule of law.

The alienation of Tory England: the Trial of the Seven Bishops in 1688

Tories and Whigs join forces in opposition to James IIs regime1. June 10, 1688: Queen Mary of Modena gives birth to James Francis Edward Stuart, the future James VII, allowing for the continuation of a Roman Catholic dynasty in England; the Warming Pan Plot rumor spreads throughout the country.2. June 29-30, 1688: the Trial of the Seven Bishops ends in acquittal for the Anglican bishops.3. June 30, 1688: Seven Tory and Whig noblemen invite Prince William of Orange of the Dutch Republic to lead an invasion force to save England from popery and arbitrary power (i.e., The Invitation of the Seven).

The Seven Bishops are acquitted to popular acclaim in June of 1688