Revolutions Chapter 23

Age of Revolution New ideas helped stimulate a wave of revolutions in the west from the 1770s to 1848 Began roughly with the American Revolution and ended with the French in 1789 and other smaller movements up to 1848 Three forces were at work: Cultural Commercialization Population Shifts

Cultural Enlightenment thinkers – challenged regimes that that did not grant religious freedom Many called for a greater voice in government Rousseau argued for a government based on general will and democratic voting Enlightenment thinkers encouraged economic and technological change

Commercialization This stirred the economies of the west Businesspeople began to challenge the idea that aristocrats hold all the power Many wanted more commercial techniques put into place to produce Some might resist such as artisans and craftsmen

Population Jump Western Europe experienced a huge population jump after 1730 France’s population rose 50% Britain and Prussia rose 100% This was due to improved nutrition Population jumps put pressure on people Upper class families with more children now had more reason to re-assert their power

This rise in population also prompted a rapid expansion of domestic manufacturing in western Europe More jobs meant more money and villagers began wearing urban clothing This symbolized a shift to a more consumer interest Pre-marital sex increased Out of wedlock births rose Political authority began to decline Youthful independence Defiance of authority

American Revolution 1775 – rebellion Stamp Act of 1765 Declaration of Independence in 1776 French aided the Americans Won independence in 1789 Set up a new govt structure based on enlightenment principles

French Revolution Enlightenment thinkers challenged govt Wanted to limit the powers of the church, aristocracy, and monarchy Middle class wanted a larger political role The French govt was incapable of reform Louis XVI – French King – under attack A book – “The Declaration of the Rights of Man” proclaimed freedom of thought

Popular riot – July 14 1789 – storming of the Bastille A new constitution was written Monarchs elsewhere feared their power Louis was killed by Guillotine – decapitation The new leader was Robespierre Pushed revolutionary reforms A new spirit of nationalism spread across France – even got a national anthem – the 1st The radicals fell to make way for a new leader - Napoleon

Napoleon Bonaparte Reduced parliament Confirmed liberal gains – religious freedom Centralized education Expansion was big An attempt to invade Russia in 1812 proved unsuccessful and Napoleon was removed from power

New Ideas All of this sparked a clear division in thought about how nations should be governed – 3 ideas Conservatives Liberals Radicals

Conservatives Opposed revolutionary goals Defended the church and the kings

Liberals Wanted to limit state interference in individual life

Radicals Accepted most liberal reforms but also wanted to extend voting rights Wanted social reforms for the lower class Wanted a movement more towards socialism