Atlantic Revolutions 1750-1900

Political Spectrums

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)

authority to govern comes from the people, not from God or tradition. Atlantic Revolutions The North American Revolution 1775–1787 The French Revolution 1789–1815 Haitian Revolution 1791-1804 Latin American Revolutions 1810-1825 Popular sovereignty authority to govern comes from the people, not from God or tradition.

Comparisons Similarities Differences All bourgeoisie ( creole, gentlemen of color, middle class) revolutions. All inspired by enlightened (liberal)ideals All against absolute ( conservative) monarchs All in response to taxes paid to high war debts All wanted popular sovereignty All will follow a pattern of conservative to moderate to radical back to conservative rule ( crane Brinton’s anatomy of a revolution) All will lead to revolutionary wars All will lead to constitutions America retains popular sovereignty France returns to revolutionary cycle several times ( Which French Revolution?) Latin American creole’s failure to achieve full independence leads to the rise of caudillos( military strongmen/meet the new boss, same as the old boss) Haitian only slave uprising Mexico led by Catholic priests and lower classes Latin America , Haiti and France attempted to aim slavery North America inspiration for all

Crane Briton’s Anatomy of a Revolution 1. People from all social classes are discontented.   2.  People feel restless and held down by unacceptable restrictions in society, religion, the economy or        the government.   3.  People are hopeful about the future, but they are being forced to accept less than they had hoped        for.   4.  People are beginning to think of themselves as belonging to a social class, and there is a growing        bitterness between social classes.   5.  The social classes closest to one another are the most hostile.   6.  The scholars and thinkers give up on the way their society operates.   7.  The government does not respond to the needs of its society.   8.  The leaders of the government and the ruling class begin to doubt themselves.   Some join with the        opposition groups.   9.  The government is unable to get enough support from any group to save itself. 10.  The government cannot organize its finances correctly and is either going bankrupt or trying to tax        heavily and unjustly.

Revolutions take their course 1. Impossible demands made of government which, if granted, would mean its end. 2. Unsuccessful government attempts to suppress revolutionaries. 3. Revolutionaries gain power and seem united. 4. Once in power, revolutionaries begin to quarrel among themselves, and unity begins to dissolve. 5. The moderates gain the leadership but fail to satisfy those who insist on further changes. 6. Power is gained by progressively more radical groups until finally a lunatic fringe gains almost complete control. 7. A strong man emerges and assumes great power. 8. The extremists try to create a "heaven on earth" by introducing their whole program and by punishing all their opponents. 9. A period of terror occurs. 10. Moderate groups regain power. The revolution is over

North American Revolution 1775-1787 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.”

North American Revolution 1775-1787 U.S. Constitution was one of the first documents that put the ideas of the Enlightenment into practice.

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.

Legacy of the French Revolution: Birth of -isms Nationalism Create a nation-state unified under the rule of law. Liberalism Create centralized nation-states ruled under a constitution Conservatism Maintain the status-quo, tradition, continuity and monarchies. Romanticism Glorified nature, emotion, and the imagination in art and philosophy.

Nationalism

Liberalism and Romanticism

Conservatism: Prince Klemens von Metternich 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.

Haitian Revolution, 1791-1804 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 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.

Haitian Revolution, 1791-1804 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.

Latin American Revolutions 1810–1825

Mexican Revolution 1810-1821 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.

Simon Bolivar “Liberator” 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.

Brazilian Independence 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.

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

Did the revolutions achieve their goals? Yes no Popular sovereignty was achieved New constitutions enshrined with enlightened ideals were formed Some economic freedoms were achieved by elite (Bourgeoisie, Creoles, freed men of color) Nationalism increased with new national identity Limits were placed on conservative forces (church, nobility) Still slavery although abolition movement would increase (but why?) Women still not provided rights Economic ties to European monarchs still exist (economic imperialism) War debts tied new nations to debtors Freedoms don’t apply equally to all Racism only increases (now a burgeoning scientific theory known as social Darwinism is perpetuated)