How historians' views differ regarding the Glorious Revolution
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how Whig and Revisionist interpretations of the Glorious Revolution differ.
Key learning points
- Whig and revisionist historians have different interpretations of how revolutionary the Glorious Revolution was.
- Whigs focus on the passing of the Bill of Rights and the growth in power of Parliament at the expense of the monarchy.
- Some revisionists argue that little changed, others say it was a very significant event that caused profound change.
- Whig and revisionist historians focus on different aspects of the Glorious Revolution in order to make their case.
Keywords
Whig - in history, a term used to describe an historian who believes that societies make progress over time
Revisionist - a revisionist historian tries to look at historical events or developments in a new way
Common misconception
The past never changes.
Our understanding of the past changes frequently, which causes us to look at events in different ways. As such, how we view the past is constantly changing.
Teacher tip
Have students look at and analyse extracts by revisionist and Whig historians on this topic and decide which interpretation they agree with the most.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Match the keywords to the correct definitions.
this type of historian tries to look at historical events in a new way
this type of historian believes that societies make progress over time
involving or causing a complete and dramatic change
a sovereign head of state, such as a king, queen or emperor
Q2.Why did the Whig interpretation of the Glorious Revolution fall out of favour?
Q3.Which revolution did Edmund Burke compare the Glorious Revolution to?
Q4.Complete the sentence: Some revisionist historians argue that the Glorious Revolution was and was less significant.
Q5.Why does revisionist historian William Speck argue that the 1688 revolution created immediate and profound change, specifically in English politics?
Q6.Which historian(s) looked at the Glorious Revolution through an economic lens and concluded that the increased importance of Parliament was beneficial to the economy?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What do Whig historians see the Glorious Revolution to be one of the key building blocks of?
Q2.Who do Whig historians see as the hero of the 1688 Revolution?
Q3.Complete the sentence: Whigs focus on the passing of the of Rights and the growth in power of Parliament at the expense of the monarchy.
Q4.Complete the sentence: Some revisionist historians consider the of England to be evidence that the Glorious Revolution was a revolutionary event.
Q5.Why would an Irish Catholic historian likely have a very different interpretation of the Glorious Revolution compared to an English Whig historian?
Q6.Why did the Whig interpretation dominate historiography for 300 years?
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: How historians' views differ regarding the Glorious Revolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: How historians' views differ regarding the Glorious Revolution, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 3 history lessons from the The Glorious Revolution: how do historians' views of it differ? unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.