Section 5: High-Yield Review & Connections (All revolutions and Enlightenment Impact)

American Revolution (1776–1783)

Colonists used Enlightenment ideas to gain independence from Britain; inspired by Natural Rights and Social Contract.

Haitian Revolution (1791–1804)

First successful slave

Connection: Enlightenment → Revolutions

Enlightenment ideas about reason, equality, and natural rights inspired revolutions worldwide.

Natural Rights Summary

Life, Liberty, Property, and Health; the foundation for democratic revolutions.

Social Contract Summary

People give consent to be governed; government must protect rights, or people can revolt.

Consent of the Governed Summary

Power comes from the people; key principle in revolutions and democracy.

Impact on Democracy

Enlightenment encouraged limited monarchy, representative government, and democracy instead of absolute rule.

Impact on Women

Thinkers like Wollstonecraft and de Gouges pushed for women’s education and rights; some ideas were suppressed.

Abolition of Slavery

Wilberforce and Equiano used Enlightenment ideas to fight the Atlantic slave trade.

Spread of Revolutions

“When France sneezed, Europe caught a cold” = revolutionary ideas spread across nations.

Autocrats vs Enlightenment

Some leaders (like Catherine the Great, Putin, Bolsonaro) use Enlightenment or democracy for appearances but centralize power.