Exam Prep and Historical Overview: James II, Locke, and Imperial Wars
Exam Instructions and Logistics
Writing Utensils: Students are required to write exams in pen. If a mistake is made, draw a single line through it rather than erasing. This allows the instructor to still count correct information that might have been erased due to self-doubt.
Exam Books: Exam books will be provided; students do not need to bring their own.
Exam Format: The exam is entirely essay-based. There are no multiple-choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, or true/false questions.
Questions: Students will receive two essay questions derived from covered material, specifically from the study guide (after some eliminations). Students are to choose and answer only one question – preferably the one they feel most confident about.
Length and Content: There is no fixed length requirement for the essay (e.g., three or four pages). The emphasis is on content, not quantity. Some students write concisely (e.g., three pages) while others elaborate more (e.g., five to six pages on average, or even up to 11 pages in extreme, often unhelpful cases). The key is to thoroughly answer all parts of the question, provide good examples, and explain concepts clearly.
Time Allotment: The exam is generally designed to take approximately minutes to hour. Students who finish very quickly (e.g., to minutes) either know the material exceptionally well or know very little.
Finishing Up: If students are still writing at the very end of the class, an extra or minutes may be granted to wrap up.
Review Session: A review session with breakfast will be held on Monday at AM. Students should come prepared with questions and a pen.
Study Guide: Students should review the study guide once it's available, comparing it with their notes to ensure they feel comfortable enough to write an essay on any of the listed topics. If there are gaps in knowledge (e.g., due to missed classes), questions should be asked during the review session.
Instructor's Role: The instructor emphasizes that their role is to help students succeed, not to assign bad grades. Students are encouraged to ask questions if they are struggling or need further clarification, as the instructor cannot provide individual attention to such a large class without active engagement from the students.
James II and the Glorious Revolution
James II's Character: James II was egotistical and power-hungry, believing no one had the right to oppose him. He ignored advice, even from closest advisors, to moderate his rule.
Initial Overthrow Efforts: A group of key parliamentary and military leaders, initially not a majority, began negotiations. They approached James's daughter, Mary, in the Netherlands.
Mary and William of Orange: Mary was married to William of Orange, who was the head of the Netherlands at this point. The delegation offered Mary the English throne if she would accept it, promising to depose her father.
Mary's Condition: Mary, having little affection for her father, agreed on one condition: her husband, William, would rule as co-monarch. The delegation accepted this.
Negotiations and Conditions: The group returned to England, secretly meeting with other members of Parliament and the military to solidify support. They then developed a set of conditions that Mary and William would have to agree to in order to receive the throne.
Ultimatum to James: After months of negotiation, a delegation met with James II, presenting him with two choices:
Abdicate the throne voluntarily.
Face a Dutch army invasion without military defense, leading to his forced removal.
James's Reaction: James was furious, threatened the delegation, and attempted to rally support. He did not abdicate.
Lack of Support: Even many English Catholics, despite James being Catholic, considered him a