Rage of Party
Encyclopedia
The Rage of Party is the name often given to the tumultuous period in English politics directly after the Glorious Revolution
of 1688 until c. 1715. This period was characterized by political instability brought about by increased partisanship within Parliament and frequent elections. Eleven Parliaments met in this period, partly as a result of the Triennial Act, which meant a general election
had to be held every three years. In fact, on average an election was held every two and a half years.
, who, although supporting the new monarchs in a de facto sense, were disturbed by the disruption to the divine succession which the Glorious Revolution entailed.
Outside of this division was the Court/Country axis. Court politicians were either in government or sought to be, and were thus supportive of centralized power and the dominance of Parliament by the executive. Country politicians distrusted centralized power and were keen to secure the independence of Parliament.
Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, also called the Revolution of 1688, is the overthrow of King James II of England by a union of English Parliamentarians with the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau...
of 1688 until c. 1715. This period was characterized by political instability brought about by increased partisanship within Parliament and frequent elections. Eleven Parliaments met in this period, partly as a result of the Triennial Act, which meant a general election
General election
In a parliamentary political system, a general election is an election in which all or most members of a given political body are chosen. The term is usually used to refer to elections held for a nation's primary legislative body, as distinguished from by-elections and local elections.The term...
had to be held every three years. In fact, on average an election was held every two and a half years.
Political Divisions
There were two main axes of political conflict during this period. The Whigs, who supported the Glorious Revolution and the Protestant succession, opposed the ToriesTories (political faction)
The Tories were members of two political parties which existed, sequentially, in the Kingdom of England, the Kingdom of Great Britain and later the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland from the 17th to the early 19th centuries.-Overview:...
, who, although supporting the new monarchs in a de facto sense, were disturbed by the disruption to the divine succession which the Glorious Revolution entailed.
Outside of this division was the Court/Country axis. Court politicians were either in government or sought to be, and were thus supportive of centralized power and the dominance of Parliament by the executive. Country politicians distrusted centralized power and were keen to secure the independence of Parliament.