AQA · A-Level · History

    Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017

    Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643– 1715 (A-level only) – Challenges in…

    Full specification wording

    2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643– 1715 (A-level only) – Challenges in Europe, 1685–1697: The challenge of William of Orange: the Dutch-English alliance after the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688

    The 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 fundamentally altered the European balance of power by aligning England and the Dutch Republic under the joint leadership of William of Orange.

    Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .

    • Point 1 of 4
    • 3 key terms

    Study notes

    From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    The idea

    The 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 fundamentally altered the European balance of power by aligning England and the Dutch Republic under the joint leadership of William of Orange. Prior to 1688, Louis XIV had relied on English neutrality or support under Charles II and James II. William’s successful usurpation of the English throne removed this security, creating a formidable Dutch-English alliance dedicated to curbing French expansionism. This personal union provided William with the financial and military resources of England to support the Dutch Republic—which retained its republican institutions—in its existential struggle against France. Consequently, Louis XIV faced a resolute adversary capable of challenging French hegemony.

    What earns the marks

    • Explain the strategic significance of the Glorious Revolution in removing a pro-French or neutral English monarch and replacing him with Louis XIV's greatest rival.
    • Analyse how the Dutch-English alliance combined English financial and naval power with Dutch military and commercial strength.
    • Evaluate William of Orange's personal motivation in prioritising the containment of Louis XIV's expansionism above domestic English issues.
    • Assess the impact of this alliance on Louis XIV's strategic position, forcing France into a prolonged, multi-front war of attrition.

    Common mistakes and how to put them right

    • Assuming England was actively anti-French before 1688.

      Put it right: Emphasise that Charles II and James II were largely sympathetic to, or financially dependent on, Louis XIV.

    • Describing the Anglo-Dutch alignment as a 'dual monarchy'.

      Put it right: Clarify that it was a personal union; William was King of England but Stadtholder in the Dutch Republic, which remained a republic.

    • Stating the Dutch-English alliance immediately defeated France.

      Put it right: Note that the alliance initiated a prolonged period of attrition, notably the Nine Years' War, rather than achieving an instant victory.

    Exam tips

    • When discussing Louis XIV's foreign policy failures, use the 1688 revolution as a key turning point in his diplomatic isolation.
    • Link William's acquisition of the English throne directly to the increased financial resources available for the anti-French coalition.
    • Contrast the Anglo-French relationship before and after 1688 to demonstrate the scale of the challenge William of Orange posed to French dominance.

    Try the lesson

    The start of the 2F The Sun King: Louis XIV, France and Europe, 1643– 1715 (A-level only) – Challenges in Europe, 1685–1697: The challenge of William of Orange: the Dutch-English alliance after the ‘Glorious Revolution’ of 1688 lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.

    Have a go first

    What was the primary strategic consequence for Louis XIV of the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688?

    Listen

    The 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688 fundamentally altered the European balance of power by aligning England and the Dutch Republic under the joint leadership of William of Orange. Prior to 1688, Louis XIV had relied on English neutrality or support under Charles II and James II. William’s successful usurpation of the English throne removed this security, creating a formidable Dutch-English alliance dedicated to curbing French expansionism. This personal union provided William with the financial and military resources of England to support the Dutch Republic—which retained its republican institutions—in its existential struggle against France. Consequently, Louis XIV faced a resolute adversary capable of challenging French hegemony. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explain the strategic significance of the Glorious Revolution in removing a pro-French or neutral English monarch and replacing him with Louis XIV's greatest rival. Analyse how the Dutch-English alliance combined English financial and naval power with Dutch military and commercial strength. Evaluate William of Orange's personal motivation in prioritising the containment of Louis XIV's expansionism above domestic English issues. Assess the impact of this alliance on Louis XIV's strategic position, forcing France into a prolonged, multi-front war of attrition. A common slip: Assuming England was actively anti-French before 1688. Instead, Emphasise that Charles II and James II were largely sympathetic to, or financially dependent on, Louis XIV. Exam tip: When discussing Louis XIV's foreign policy failures, use the 1688 revolution as a key turning point in his diplomatic isolation.

    See it

    A top-down flowchart. The first box states that before 1688 England was neutral or supportive under Charles II and James II. An arrow leads to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, then to William of Orange taking the English throne, then to the Dutch-English alliance under William's joint leadership. From the alliance two arrows branch out: one to English financial and military resources supporting the Dutch Republic, the other to the Dutch Republic retaining its republican institutions. Both branches lead to a box saying Louis XIV faces a resolute adversary challenging French hegemony, which leads to a final box saying this meant a prolonged, multi-front war of attrition rather than instant victory.
    It shows how the Glorious Revolution of 1688 replaced a pro-French or neutral English monarch with William of Orange, creating the Dutch-English alliance that challenged Louis XIV.

    Key words

    Say what each word means before you turn the card.

    Balance of power

    Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.

    Diplomacy and alliances

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    Military strategy

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    See every definition
    Balance of power
    The European balance of power was fundamentally altered by the 'Glorious Revolution' of 1688, which aligned England and the Dutch Republic under William of Orange.
    Diplomacy and alliances
    A formidable Dutch-English alliance was created, dedicated to curbing French expansionism and providing William with English resources to support the Dutch Republic against France.
    Military strategy
    Louis XIV faced a resolute adversary capable of challenging French hegemony, forcing France into a prolonged, multi-front war of attrition.

    Label the diagram

    Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.

    The diagram again, with 3 boxes numbered instead of named. A top-down flowchart. The first box states that before 1688 England was neutral or supportive under Charles II and James II. An arrow leads to the Glorious Revolution of 1688, then to William of Orange taking the English throne, then to the Dutch-English alliance under William's joint leadership. From the alliance two arrows branch out: one to English financial and military resources supporting the Dutch Republic, the other to the Dutch Republic retaining its republican institutions. Both branches lead to a box saying Louis XIV faces a resolute adversary challenging French hegemony, which leads to a final box saying this meant a prolonged, multi-front war of attrition rather than instant victory.

    • 1Box 1

    • 2Box 2

    • 3Box 3

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