The Whig interpretation of the Glorious Revolution
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can describe how Whig historians have interpreted the events of 1688.
Key learning points
- In the 17th century, a political party known as the Whigs emerged who were opposed to Catholicism and absolute monarchy.
- Whig historians share a belief that society developed and made progress over time, leading to constitutional monarchy.
- Whig historians see the Glorious Revolution positively, seeing it as significant & underpinned by established tradition.
- The Whig interpretation was almost unquestioned for nearly 300 years, but it did contain flaws.
Keywords
Whig - in history, a term used to describe an historian who believes that societies make progress over time
Monarch - a sovereign head of state, such as a king, queen or emperor
Common misconception
The 'Whigs' gained their name because of the fancy wigs and hairstyles that were the fashion in the 17th and 18th centuries.
'Whigs' has nothing to do with hairstyles, but was instead originally a derogatory term used to describe the 'Country Party', as they were originally known. 'Whig' was a sound Scottish drovers shouted when controlling cattle on the way to market.
Teacher tip
For Task A, have students walk around the classroom explaining their three words to other students. Ask students what were the best three words that were explained to them in a class discussion in order to help them gain an understanding of different students interpretations of the Whigs.
Content guidance
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
Lesson video
Loading...
Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.What term did John Hampden coin to describe the takeover of power in 1688?
Q2.What was the Claim of Right Act (1689)?
Q3.How did the beliefs of Episcopalians and Presbyterians differ about the running of the Scottish Church (the kirk)?
Q4.Who made up the Jacobites in Scotland?
Q5.Complete the sentence: The Jacobites got their name from ‘Jacobus’ which is Latin for ‘ ’.
Q6.What of the following were not the consequences of the Battle of the Boyne (1690)?
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.Which keyword in history is a term used to describe an historian who believes that societies make progress over time?
Q2.Which keyword describes a sovereign head of state, such as a king, queen or emperor?
Q3.How many years did the Whig interpretation of the Glorious Revolution remain unquestioned for?
Q4.Complete the sentence: Whig historians share a belief that society developed and made progress over time, leading to monarchy.
Q5.What was the Whigs' relationship like with James II?
Q6.Which of the following features of the Glorious Revolution do Whig historians not regard as positive?
To help you plan your 8 history lesson on: The Whig interpretation 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: The Whig interpretation 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.