Enlightenment and Revolutions: Europe and the Americas A Time of Change Enlightenment and Revolutions: Europe and the Americas

The Enlightenment Europe 1720-1790 Changes in thinking led to reforms in government

Enlightenment Thinkers Thomas Hobbes Ideas of a social contract Leviathan Man is evil, must have a strong government John Locke Ideas regarding natural rights Two Treatises on Government Man has rights to life, liberty, property

The Philosophers advocate reason Voltaire Used satire Wrote many essays Defended tolerance, reason, freedom of speech and religion Montesquieu Political liberty Admired Britain’s balanced government Separation of powers Rousseau Committed to individual freedom Social contract Government by consent of the governed

Impact of the Enlightenment Salons Secular outlook on life Importance of the individual Ideas of freedom and rights Enlightened despots Democracy

The Road to Revolution People were dissatisfied with governments. Citizens often did not have a voice in government. People decided to fight for their freedom. Wars for freedom were called revolutions.

Most of the revolutions occurred between 1775 and 1826. 1775 - 1781 = American Revolution 1789 - 1799 = French Revolution (1799 – 1815) = Napoleon’s rule 1810 - 1826 = Latin American Revolution

The American Revolution 1775-1781 Great Britain’s King George III ruled the American colonies The 13 colonies paid taxes to England but had no representation in Parliament Colonists were angry Wrote the Declaration of Independence Broke ties with Great Britain George Washington led the American troops to victory!

The French Revolution 1789-1799 French people were angry over high taxes, unfair class systems (3 estates), and poor standard of living Influenced by ideas of Enlightenment and American independence, the French people revolt!

Revolution! The Third Estate creates a series of new, unsuccessful governments Many innocent people died in the bloody violence Both King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were guillotined during the reign of terror “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity!” was the slogan of the revolution

Napoleon’s new government 1799-1815 Napoleon Bonaparte, a national hero, leads the new government and appoints himself Emperor of France. Napoleon wants to conquer the world. Becomes very powerful and makes his brother king of Spain. After a series of wars with Europe, Napoleon is defeated and exiled.

Latin American Revolutions 1810-1826 Spain had colonies in Latin America. Latin America includes the countries south of the United States. The people of Latin America wanted their freedom from Spain. 1813 - Napoleon lost power in Europe. The people of Latin America chose this time to revolt.

Latin American colonies win independence Haiti was the first colony to win independence in 1804 Father Miguel Hidalgo helped Mexico win its freedom from Spain Simon Bolivar fought for the freedom of Venezuela and many other colonies Jose de San Martin fought for Argentina’s freedom Peru was the last colony to gain independence in 1826

Congress of Vienna: 1814-1815 European countries needed to restore stability and restructure pre-Napoleonic boundaries Austria’s conservative foreign minister Metternich, led a meeting in Vienna His goals were to: Restore legitimacy of the monarchs Restore the balance of power Weaken France Compensate severely damaged countries (reparations)

New political philosophies were born The Congress of Vienna was successful; however, democratic ideas could not be erased New political philosophies were born Conservatism: keep the old ways Radicalism: violent changes Liberalism: small reforms, no violence Nationalism: love of one’s country