20 Times Monarchies Narrowly Survived a Revolution

James II was effectively driven from the throne in 1688 when Parliament invited William of Orange to intervene. James fled to France, and power changed hands without the bloodshed seen elsewhere in Europe. The monarchy survived, but only by accepting the constitutional limits imposed by the 1689 Bill of Rights, which permanently curtailed royal authority.

Long before 1789, the French crown faced serious unrest during the Fronde, a series of civil wars involving the nobility and the Parliament of Paris. The royal family was forced to flee the capital while the factions vied for power. The monarchy held firm, but this experience left a deep impression on Louis XIV, who subsequently centralized power to prevent such an event from happening again.

The wave of revolutions that swept across Europe in 1848 reached Denmark and challenged absolute power. Faced with growing pressure, King Frederick VII accepted a constitution in 1849, bringing an end to centuries of absolute monarchy. 

In 1905, Norway dissolved its union with Sweden after years of political tensions. Sweden mobilized its military, and the situation could have escalated into war. Instead, negotiations prevailed, and although Sweden lost Norway, the Swedish monarchy itself survived the crisis.

A bloodless coup in 1932 brought an end to the absolute monarchy in Siam, now Thailand. King Prajadhipok remained on the throne temporarily, but with greatly reduced powers under a constitutional system. 

The uprising of 1830 led to Belgium’s separation from the United Kingdom of the Netherlands. King William I lost a significant portion of his kingdom, which dealt a severe blow to the prestige and influence of the Netherlands. 

Queen Isabella II of Spain was deposed in 1868 following widespread discontent with her reign. Spain experienced a short-lived monarchy under Amadeo I, followed by a republic. In 1874, however, the Bourbon monarchy was restored.

The Meiji Restoration dismantled the Tokugawa shogunate and restored power to the emperor. Although the emperor was not the target of the revolution, Japan’s political order was profoundly transformed. 

Following the military defeat in the Russo-Japanese War and widespread unrest, Tsar Nicholas II was faced with strikes, mutinies, and demonstrations throughout the empire. He responded with the October Manifesto, which established a legislative assembly known as the Duma. 

King Otto of Greece faced a revolt backed by the army, which demanded a constitution. Rather than attempting a violent crackdown, he relented and granted one. The monarchy remained in place, but it was now subject to constitutional limits.

The Qajar dynasty faced sustained protests demanding a parliamentary government and limits on royal power. After significant unrest and political strife, a constitution was adopted and a parliament was established. The monarchy survived, but only by accepting a drastic reduction in its authority.

During World War I, political tensions in Sweden pushed the country toward democratic reform. King Gustaf V eventually agreed to the transition to a fully parliamentary government. By stepping back from active political control, the monarchy preserved its existence.

After World War II, King Leopold III’s conduct during the war led to deep national division in Belgium. A referendum narrowly approved his return, but protests and strikes followed. Leopold eventually abdicated in favor of his son, allowing the monarchy to survive by sacrificing the reigning king.

King Edward VIII’s determination to marry Wallis Simpson sparked a constitutional crisis. Faced with opposition from the government and a large portion of the public, he chose to abdicate. The monarchy survived under George VI, and the institution itself remained stable.

In 1990, mass protests in Nepal called for democratic reform and an end to the absolute monarchy. King Birendra agreed to constitutional changes that introduced a multiparty democracy. The monarchy narrowly avoided immediate abolition by adapting to the people’s demands.

After the death of Francisco Franco, Spain restored the monarchy under King Juan Carlos I. Many feared a return to authoritarianism or a republican uprising. By actively supporting democratic reforms, Juan Carlos helped ensure the monarchy’s survival in a transformed political landscape.

During the Arab Spring, Morocco experienced large-scale protests calling for political reform. King Mohammed VI responded with constitutional amendments that expanded the powers of Parliament. 

When Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940, King Haakon VII refused to recognize the occupation government. He went into exile but remained a powerful symbol of resistance. 

The student protests of 1973 toppled Thailand’s military government. King Bhumibol Adulyadej intervened during the crisis and distanced the monarchy from the regime. By positioning himself as a stabilizing force, he enabled the monarchy to survive these upheavals.

In 1957, political unrest and alleged coup plots threatened King Hussein’s reign in Jordan. He took decisive action against his political opponents and dissolved parliament.