Page:Outlines of European History.djvu/784

 6/8 Outlifies of European History The Test Act War with Holland more wise and not be catched." A few years later Charles II issued a declaration giving complete religious liberty to Roman Catholics as well as to Dissenters. Parliament not only forced him to withdraw this enlightened measure but passed the Test Act, which excluded every one from public office who did not accept the views of the English Church. The old war with Holland, begun by Cromwell, was renewed under Charles II, who was earnestly desirous to increase Eng- lish commerce and to found new colonies. The two nations were very evenly matched on the sea, but in 1664. the English seized some of the West Indian Islands from the Dutch and also their colony on Manhattan Island, which was re-named New York in honor of the king's brother, the Duke of York. In 1667 a treaty was signed by England and Holland which confirmed these conquests. Section 120. The Revolution of 1688 James II, 1685-1688 The revolu- tion of 1688 and the accession of William III, 1688-1702 Upon Charles II's death he was succeeded by his brother, James II, who was an avowed Catholic and had married, as his second wife, Mary of Modena, who was also a Catholic. He was ready to reestablish Catholicism in England regardless of what it might cost him. Mary, James's daughter by his first wife, had married her cousin, William III, Prince of Orange, the head of the United Netherlands. The nation might have tolerated James so long as they could look forward to the accession of his Protestant daughter. But when a son was bom to his Catholic second wife, and James showed unmistakably his purpose of favoring the Catholics, messengers were dispatched by a group of Protestants to William of Orange, asking him to come and rule over them. William landed in November, 1688, and marched upon Lon- don, where he received general support from all the English Protestants, regardless of party. James II started to oppose Wil- liam, but his army refused to fight and his courtiers deserted