What is a Revolution?

In the 1500s and 1600s the Scientific Revolution changed the way Europeans looked at the world. People began to make conclusions based on experimentation and observation, instead of merely accepting traditional ideas. The Scientific Revolution

Until the mid 1500’s, European scholars accepted and believed the teachings of Ptolemy, an ancient Greek astronomer. Ptolemy taught that the Earth was the center of the universe. Ptolemy ( A.D.) Before the Scientific Revolution… It was not until some startling discoveries caused Europeans to change the way they viewed the physical world. People felt this was common sense, and the geocentric theory was supported by the Church.

In 1543 Copernicus published On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres. Nicolaus Copernicus Copernicus was a Polish astronomer who studied in Italy. In his book, Copernicus made two conclusions: 1.The universe is heliocentric, or sun- centered. 2.The Earth is merely one of several planets revolving around the sun.

What led to the writing of the Declaration Of Independence and the Revolutionary War?

French and Indian War Britain helped colonists defeat French in war Britain needed money to pay for war expenses Taxed colonists, restricted settlements and limited self-government

Sugar Act and Stamp Act British taxed colonists on many of the goods coming into the colonies from other places British imposed taxes upon all paper products and stamped the item once the tax had been played.

Colonists react… “No Taxation Without Representation!”

The French Revolution

Absolute monarchs didn’t share power with a counsel or parliament “Divine Right of Kings” Ruled from 1643– 1715 Reduced the power of the nobility Fought four wars Greatly increased France’s national debt Absolutism King James I of England Louis XIV of France

Louis XV War fought in Europe, India, North America France ends up losing some of its colonial possessions Increases French national debt The Seven Years’ War Louis XV French and English troops fight at the battle of Fort St. Philip on the island of Minorca

New ideas about society and government The social contract The Enlightenment John Locke Jean-Jacques Rousseau

The Industrial Revolution The Revolution that changed the world forever

Industrial – Having to do with industry, business or manufacturing Revolution – a huge change or a change in the way things are done Industrial Revolution – a change from making things by hand to making them in factories.

Transportation Before the Industrial Revolution, people relied on the horse and their own feet to get around. With the invention of the steam locomotive, transportation took a huge step forward. The first two major railroad companies were the Union Pacific and Central Pacific Railroads.

Electric light Can you imagine what life would be like without electric light? Thomas Edison invented electric light. Thomas Edison also invented many other things, like the phonograph.

Henry Ford Henry Ford invented the first practical car, the Model T. The car had been invented earlier, but Ford was the first to make the car affordable.

The Haitian Revolution

Saint Domingue’s Racial Breakdown in the 18 th Century 25,000 whites 4% 30,000 free people of color 5% 15,000 mulattos 3% 500,000 slaves 88%

What was the situation in Haiti before 1791? France controlled the western part of the Island. Near the end of the 18th century, 500,000 people, mainly of western African origin, were enslaved by the French. Colony of Saint Domingue is the most lucrative colony in the world. French plantation owners were watching the events of the French Revolution.

What was Haitian Slavery Like? The conditions on the island were the worst in the world. The death rate of slaves was around 50%. Most died of overwork in the sugar, coffee and indigo plantations. Torture of slaves who resisted was common. Most slaves had memories of freedom in Africa.

How did the Revolt Begin? The upper, middle, and Mulatto classes were at odds with each other. Black slaves rebelled against their owners in 1791 taking advantage of the situation. – Killed whites and destroyed plantations Boukman Dutty, a Vodou priest led over one hundred thousand slaves against the vastly outnumbered and infinitely hated French

Russian Government Before Revolution Monarchy: The Czar (Tsar) Until 1905 the Tsar's powers were unlimited. Russia had no constitution, No political party system to check the Tsar's power A strong secret police which terrorized the people.

Czar Nicholas II (1894) Last Czar of Russia Nicholas II was a harsh and weak ruler The Russian economy was bankrupt because of the Russo-Japanese War and WWI Russia’s entry into WWI became very unpopular.

Russia and World War I Russia declares war on Austria-Hungary War becomes unpopular Rationing leads to starvation Nicholas II leaves St. Petersburg to war front

Revolutions can come in all types of forms, shapes and sizes… Of A Revolution OAR is one of Mr. Benfield’s favorite bands of all-time and has seen them live in concert SEVEN times