Chapter Four: Glorious Revolutions?

Glorious Revolutions? The Stuart Kings continued to consolidate power in the 1680s, forcing dissenters such as John Locke to seek exile in Holland and prosecuting others, such as Algernon Sidney, for treason. Charles II’s death in 1685 led to the accession of his...

Chapter Three: Reacting to Absolutism

Reacting to Absolutism As the Stuart Monarchs consolidated their power on both sides of the Atlantic, the Whig Party emerged as a new coalition party within Parliament. The Whigs viewed the Stuart monarchs as threats to the liberties of English subjects, and they...

Chapter Two: Restoration Settlements

Restoration Settlements   The Restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660 not only restored the hereditary monarchy and the hereditary house of lords, but also led to the consolidation of hereditary racial slavery in the colonies.  African slavery in the English...

Chapter One: Debating Power & Empire

Debating Power & Empire England’s New World empire emerged within a political, legal, and cultural context shaped not only by the peoples they encountered in the Atlantic world but also by deep contests over power within England and between England and other...