Revisionist interpretations of the Glorious Revolution
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe the different ways in which revisionist historians have challenged the Whig view of the Glorious Revolution.
Key learning points
- The Whig vision of history is now not accepted by most historians; revisionists have argued against it.
- Some revisionists argue that the Glorious Revolution was unrevolutionary and was less significant.
- John Morrill called it the 'Sensible Revolution' as a result, suggesting it was a very conservative development.
- Other revisionists argue that the Glorious Revolution actually represented very significant revolutionary change.
- Steven Pincus called it the 'first modern revolution', saying it was violent, popular and divisive.
Keywords
Revisionist - a revisionist historian tries to look at historical events or developments in a new way
Revolutionary - involving or causing a complete and dramatic change
Common misconception
Interpretations of history are set in stone.
Many aspects of history face regular revisions as more research is conducted.
Teacher tip
Have students look at and analyse extracts by revisionist historians on this topic.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword describes a sovereign head of state, such as a king, queen or emperor?
Q2.What did the Whigs support?
Q3.Complete the sentence: a historian is a historian who believes that societies make progress over time.
Q4.For how many years were the Whigs the only political party in Britain?
Q5.Which of the following features of the Glorious Revolution were regarded as positive by Whig historians?
Q6.Why is the Whig interpretation of the 1688 Revolution as ‘Glorious’ an issue?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Complete the sentence: A historian tries to look at historical events or developments in a new way.
Q2.Which historian(s) first challenged the Whig interpretation of the Glorious Revolution?
Q3.Complete the sentence: John Morrill called the 1688 revolution the ' Revolution'.
Q4.Which keyword describes something involving or causing a complete and dramatic change?
Q5.Which historian called the 1688 revolution the 'first modern revolution'?
Q6.Which century were almost all revisionist interpretations constructed in?
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: Revisionist interpretations of 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: Revisionist interpretations of 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.