Political Revolutions1750-1914

Vocabulary to KnowMonarchy-undivided rule or absolute

sovereignty by a single personPolitical Revolution-the overthrow of one

government and its replacement with anotherPolitical Philosophy-a theory or set of

theories regarding how a government should be run

Sovereignty-freedom from external control

More VocabularyAbsolute Monarchy-king or Queen who has

absolute power and seeks to control all aspects of society (Louis XIV France)

Limited Monarchy-laws limit the power of a ruler (constitutional monarchy) (England after the Glorious Revolution)

Absolute monarchies may be stable and powerful but rarely do they recognize the importance of individual rights!

Enlightenment-Age of ReasonScientific Revolution-promotes application of reason

and the scientific method to all aspects of society, including government

Social Contract Theory (2 Views)Hobbes-people create government, but give up their

rights to a strong ruler in exchange for law and order-men should put faith in their government to provide stability since life is “cruel, nasty, and short.”

Locke-people have the natural ability to govern their own affairs-natural rights of life, liberty, and property; people can overthrow a government that does not protect these rights! (Heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson)

Enlightenment-Age of ReasonPhilosophes-apply reason to all aspects of life

including truth, nature, happiness, progress, and liberty.Montesquieu-separation of powers-three branches of

government and checks and balances on these powersRousseau-individual freedom-general will (majority)

should decide the laws of the nationMary Wollstonecraft-women deserve the same rights

as menWilliam Wilberforce-British politician who

successfully led the movement to abolish slavery in Britain in 1807

Impact of the EnlightenmentEuropean monarchies make reformsAmerican and French RevolutionsBelief in progress through social equality and

improvements in educationMore secular outlook-questioned religious

beliefs and the teaching of the ChurchImportance of the individual

Enlightenment leads to Revolution!Separation of Powers: power should not rest

in the hands of one or the fewChecks and Balances: measures designed to

prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful

Liberty: Freedom, the ability to make choices, no oppression (social or economic)

Equality: all MEN are equalDemocracy: people make the political

decisions (direct or republic)

Enlightenment leads to Revolution!Popular Sovereignty: political power rests

with the people-voting and participation in government

Human Rights: inalienable rights/individual rights

Constitutionalism: basic principles and laws of a government should be organized into a written document

Nationalism: devotion to the interests or culture of one’s nation-independence from foreign domination-emphasizing national rather than international goals

American Revolution (1775-1783)-CausesGlorious Revolution(limited monarchy) and

Enlightenment(natural rights)“Rights as Englishmen” were violated “No

taxation w/o representation”British policies towards the colonies (taxes)Declaration of Independence (grievances

against King George III)

American Revolution-CharacteristicsStarted by merchant classProtest against taxationMany remained loyal to BritainSuccess due to alliances with France and

SpainBritish overconfidence and fighting a long-

distance war

American Revolution-ConsequencesIndependenceU.S. Constitution (1789) Bill of Rights (1st 10

Amendments)Inspired French Revolution (as well as

Haitian and Latin American)

French Revolution(1789-1795)-CausesEnlightenment and American RevolutionInequality in the class system (1st, 2nd, and 3rd

Estates)Abuses by nobility and kingsDebt and high taxesCrop failures cause price of bread to rise

above the price that peasants can pay (famine)

French Revolution-CharacteristicsOriginates with lower classes (as opposed to

merchants in America)Extreme violence-Reign of Terror, guillotine,

execution of nobility including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

French Revolution-ConsequencesDeclaration of the Rights of ManParliament establishedPeasants freedChaos in government results in Napoleon and

the Army coming to power and creating the French Empire

Impact of Napoleon-FranceRestored order after the Reign of TerrorEfficient tax collection and a national bank

improved the economyLycees set up as government run public

schools to train students as potential government officials

Roman Catholic Church-majority church of France-rejected church control over national affairs

Napoleonic Code-uniform set of laws-limited freedoms of speech and press, as well as women’s rights

Impact of Napoleon-EuropeAnnexed Austrian Netherlands and parts of ItalyPuppet government in SwitzerlandWar against Third Coalition (Britain, Austria, Russia,

Sweden, and Prussia)Britain retains naval supremacy-Battle of TrafalgarContinental System-economic blockade against Britain

unsuccessfulInvades Spain-brother Joseph named KingAttempts to invade Russia, but fails (winter)Defeat at Leipzig-exiled to ElbaReturns to power, but defeated at Waterloo-exiled to St.

HelenaCongress of Vienna-restore balance of power to Europe

Impact of Napoleon-Latin AmericaEstablishment of Haiti as an independent

republic after the first successful slave revolt in history

Napoleon’s troops decimated in Haiti due to yellow fever

Independence movements in Spanish colonies begin when Napoleon conquers Spain in 1808

Spanish creoles had no loyalty and argue that power shifts to the people

American and French Revs influence Latin AmericaAmerican Rev showed that colonies could win

independenceBoth had written declarations that address

natural rightsAmerican allowed a free market to flourishFrench was the uprising of the common manEnlightenment influenced Simon Bolivar in

Colombia and VenezuelaBoth inspire revs in Argentina (Jose de San

Martin), Chile, Peru, and Mexico (Miguel Hidalgo)

Influential DocumentsEnglish Bill of Rights

Limited the monarchNo suspension of Parliament’s lawsNo taxes w/o consent of ParliamentNo suspension of freedom of speech in

ParliamentCitizens have the right to petition the king with

grievances

Influential DocumentsDeclaration of Independence

Unalienable rights-life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

Governments established to protect these rights

People have the right to change or abolish a government that does not protect these rights

Influential DocumentsU.S. Constitution

Three branches-Separation of PowersChecks and BalancesFederal System (power divided between states

and national government)Limits on power of governmentPopular election of executive and legislatorsBill of Rights to protect personal freedoms

Influential DocumentsDeclaration of the Rights of Man and of the

Citizen (France)Men are born and remain free and equalRights include liberty, property, security, and

freedom from oppressionGovernments should preserve these rights“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”