english revolution: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowAcademic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “english revolution” mean?
A term referring to the period of political and social upheaval in England during the mid-17th century, primarily the English Civil Wars (1642–1651) and the establishment of the Commonwealth and Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell.
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Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A term referring to the period of political and social upheaval in England during the mid-17th century, primarily the English Civil Wars (1642–1651) and the establishment of the Commonwealth and Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell.
The term can also be used more broadly to describe the transformative changes in English government, society, and thought during the 17th century, including the overthrow of the monarchy, the execution of Charles I, and the rise of parliamentary authority and republican ideals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the term is used specifically for the 17th-century events. In American English, it is sometimes conflated with or mentioned alongside the 'American Revolution' in comparative historical discourse.
Connotations
In British usage, it carries strong connotations of civil war, regicide, and a unique republican experiment. In American usage, it may be framed as a precursor to democratic revolutions.
Frequency
More frequent in British academic and educational contexts. In general American discourse, 'American Revolution' is vastly more common, making 'English Revolution' a more specialized term.
Grammar
How to Use “english revolution” in a Sentence
The English Revolution [VERB]...During the English Revolution, [CLAUSE]The [ADJECTIVE] English Revolution led to...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “english revolution” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The period was revolutionised by new printing technologies.
- Cromwell's forces sought to revolutionise the government.
American English
- The colonists' arguments were revolutionised by English precedent.
- Ideas that revolutionised English politics crossed the Atlantic.
adverb
British English
- The country changed revolutionarily between 1640 and 1660.
- Power shifted revolutionarily away from the Crown.
American English
- The ideas spread revolutionarily through the colonies.
- The government was revolutionarily restructured.
adjective
British English
- The revolutionary period saw the trial of the king.
- His revolutionary ideals were rooted in Puritan thought.
American English
- The English revolutionary model influenced the Founding Fathers.
- They studied English revolutionary pamphlets.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used. Might appear in metaphors for disruptive market change: 'The new policy caused an English Revolution in the industry.'
Academic
Common in history, political science, and literature departments when discussing 17th-century Britain, state formation, or revolution theory.
Everyday
Very rare. Most non-specialists would refer to the 'English Civil War'.
Technical
Used as a precise historiographical term to denote the broader transformative process beyond just the military conflicts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “english revolution”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “english revolution”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “english revolution”
- Using 'English Revolution' to refer to the Industrial Revolution.
- Confusing it with the 'American Revolution'.
- Capitalising incorrectly: it should be 'English Revolution' as a proper noun.
- Using it as a general term for any change in England.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. 'English Civil War(s)' usually refers specifically to the armed conflicts (1642–1651). 'English Revolution' is a broader term encompassing the wars, the political revolution, the execution of Charles I, and the republican experiment under Cromwell.
The core period is generally considered to be from 1640 (the summoning of the Long Parliament) to 1660 (the Restoration of the monarchy), with the wars fought between 1642 and 1651.
It is called a revolution in retrospect because it involved the fundamental overthrow of the existing political system (absolute monarchy) and an attempt to replace it with a new form of government (a republic/commonwealth), representing a radical and lasting change in sovereignty.
Although the monarchy was restored in 1660, the revolution established that the monarch could not govern without Parliament, limited royal power, and strengthened constitutional government, paving the way for the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
A term referring to the period of political and social upheaval in England during the mid-17th century, primarily the English Civil Wars (1642–1651) and the establishment of the Commonwealth and Protectorate under Oliver Cromwell.
English revolution is usually academic, historical in register.
English revolution: in British English it is pronounced /ˌɪŋɡlɪʃ ˌrevəˈluːʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌɪŋɡlɪʃ ˌrevəˈluːʃ(ə)n/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Turn the world upside down (a phrase used by contemporaries to describe the period's upheaval)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ENGLISH' (England) + 'REVOLUTION' (overthrow). It's the 1600s version of a king vs. parliament showdown, ending with a king losing his head.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE BODY POLITIC IS A HUMAN BODY (the head of state was removed), NATION AS A SHIP (changing course radically), POLITICAL CHANGE AS AN EARTHQUAKE/UPHEAVAL.
Practice
Quiz
Which of these is a common synonym for 'English Revolution' in academic writing?