Final answer:
King James II was a devout Catholic who sought to impose his religious views and absolute monarchical power in England. His efforts led to the dissolution of Parliament, which stirred fears of a Catholic absolutist state. These actions and his Catholicism contributed to his overthrow during the Glorious Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
King James II's Religious Leanings and Attitude Towards Parliament
King James II of England, who ascended the throne in 1685, had strong Catholic leanings, having converted from Protestantism in the late 1660s. His religious stance and his modeling of rule on the absolute monarchy of his cousin, the French Catholic King Louis XIV, worried Protestants throughout his reign. Their fears were warranted as James sought to centralize power, showing intolerant tendencies towards religious diversity.
James II's attitude towards the English Parliament was characterized by contempt for its traditions of law and independence. In an effort to impose Catholic absolutism and to limit the power of Parliament, James dissolved it in 1687. This was a culmination of his pattern of suspending laws that limited Catholic influence and power, including those enshrined in the Test Act of 1673, which had placed restrictions on Catholics holding office.
Parliament had a longstanding opposition to a Catholic monarch due to the fear of the return of a Catholic hegemony similar to that experienced under Mary Tudor. The Glorious Revolution of 1688, which saw James II deposed, was a reaction to his attempts to move towards absolute rule, his open practice of Roman Catholicism, and his disregard for the autonomy of Parliament.