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Explore the legacy and impact of the Enlightenment on the Atlantic Revolutions of 1750-1900, with a focus on key events such as the American and French Revolutions. Compare the various stages and outcomes of revolutionary movements and the implementation of Enlightenment principles.
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Atlantic Revolutions 1750-1900
Crane Brinton, The Anatomy of a Revolution • Every revolution begins with the problems of the Old Regime • 1st stage • increasing dissatisfaction with the Old regime, spontaneous acts of protest and violence, overthrow • 2nd stage • honeymoon with moderate new government • 3rd stage • takeover of the extremists, loss of individualism, the government becomes violent and excessive • 4th stage • reestablishment of some sort of equilibrium, rights, etc., usually under a “strongman”
The Promise of the Enlightenment Contract government (John Locke) • A political theory that views government as stemming from the people, who agree to surrender some personal freedom in return for a government that guarantees protection of citizens’ rights and property. Laissez faire (Adam Smith) • An economic theory that advocates freeing economies from government intervention and control.
The Promise of the Enlightenment Salons • were places where people discussed the ideas of the Enlightenment, published in the Encyclopedia (1751-1772)
Atlantic Revolutions Popular sovereignty authority to govern comes from the people, not from God or tradition.
From 1750-1900 both the American and French Revolution were led by enlightened inspired bourgeoisie hoping to gain popular sovereignty against tyrannical absolutist rule, both employed moderate and radical means by which to gain independence. The American Revolution, however, was successful as it resulted in a lasting constitution providing governmental limits while the French continued the pattern of Revolution with the conservative leadership of Napoleon
North American Revolution1775-1787 • A conservative political movement aimed to preserve colonial liberties, rather than gain new ones. • Colonists regarded autonomy as their birthright. • Colonial society was more egalitarian than Europe or Latin America. • Revolted against “taxation without representation.”
U.S. Constitution was one of the first documents that put the ideas of the Enlightenment into practice. North American Revolution1775-1787
French Revolution 1789-1815 • French government was bankrupt • Unlike the American Revolution, it was driven by social conflicts based on the unfairness of the Old Regime • Effort to create a new society during the Reign of Terror. • Napoleon Bonaparte spread the ideals of the revolution through conquest.
II. Comparing Atlantic Revolutions in a Global Context B. The French Revolution, 1789–1815 1. The American connection: ideas, war debt, and taxes 2. Resentment of privilege and increasing radicalism 3. Inventing a new, rational world
Conservatism is a political philosophy which embodies a desire to prevent change. 19th Century conservatives believed in the power behind absolute monarchy, the aristocracy and the Church. The conservatives of Europe succeeded in creating an era between 1815 and 1914 without war. They did so through repression of dissension and thought. Conservatism:Prince Klemens von Metternich
Santo Domingue was a French Caribbean colony. Regarded as the richest colony in the world. Majority of the population were slaves. Solidarity and suffering made it ripe for revolution. Haitian Revolution, 1791-1804
Haitian Revolution, 1791-1804 • French Revolution inspired revolts and demand for political equality. • In1793, a proclamation granted slaves freedom. • In 1794, the French revolutionary government declared blacks had rights equal to whites. • This created wide-spread rebellions across the Caribbean and Latin America.
Toussaint L’Overture possessed strong military skills and became the leader in the Haitian Revolution. Although he modeled French ideals of freedom and citizenship, he re-enslaved many Haitians. Haitian Revolution, 1791-1804
Latin American Revolutions 1810–1825
Father Miguel Hidalgo opened a campaign against colonial rule in 1810 with the help from the popular classes, natives and creoles. Augustin de Iturbide created a constitutional monarchy in 1821. Mexican Revolution 1810-1821
Took up arms, leading military campaigns , which along with popular uprisings, ousted Spain from much of Latin America. 1830 created the Gran Colombia in northern South America. Simon Bolivar“Liberator”
III. Echoes of Revolution A. The Abolition of Slavery 1. Protestant and Quaker moralism 2. New economic structures 3. Haiti and other slave revolts 4. British leadership
Pedro I, son of Portugal’s king, declared Brazil independent in 1822 and made himself king. More peaceful transition than the rest of Latin America with little change to the social structure. Brazilian Independence
Latin American Revolutions • Creoles were offended by the Spanish monarchy’s efforts to control them in the eighteenth century. • Latin American independence movements were limited at first because there was little tradition of local self-government. • Society was authoritarian, with class divisions.
Latin American Revolutions • Many leaders were liberals and their message appealed to the lower classes. • In reality, the indigenous people and slaves got little benefit from independence. • It was very difficult to unite various Spanish colonies, unlike the United States. • The United States grew more democratic and wealthy while Latin American countries grew more impoverished, undemocratic, and unstable.
Global Impact • Inspired efforts to abolish slavery, give women greater rights, and extend franchise in many countries • Nationalism was shaped by revolutions • Principles of equality eventually gave rise to socialism and communism
