Skip to content

Study Hub

Study Guides

This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.

Year 8 - History

Revisionist interpretations of the Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution: how do historians' views of it differ?

Unit Summary

In this unit, pupils learn about the Glorious Revolution and the way in which different historians have viewed it. They learn about the causes of this important event before examining Whig and revisionist arguments about its nature.

Lesson Summary

You will learn to describe the different ways in which revisionist historians have challenged the Whig view of the Glorious Revolution.

Key Notes

  • 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.

Vocabulary To Learn

  • 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 Mistakes To Avoid

  • Interpretations of history are set in stone.

3 Quick Questions (With Answers)

1. Summarise this historical learning in two key ideas.

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.

2. Define this history term and explain why it matters in this topic. 'revisionist'

a revisionist historian tries to look at historical events or developments in a new way.

3. Correct this common history misconception using evidence language.

Mistake: Interpretations of history are set in stone. Correction: Many aspects of history face regular revisions as more research is conducted.

More Lessons In This Unit

Browse all guides in the Year 8 History guide library.