dbq vocab

ATLANTIC REVOLUTION

series of revolution in atlantic world, including american, french, and latin rev, triggered by spread of enlightenment ideas to overthrow absolutism and colinal rule

Declaration of Independence (1776)

A document declaring the American colonies’ separation from Britain, asserting natural rights and the right to overthrow unjust governments.

Thomas Jefferson

The primary author of the Declaration of Independence, influenced by Enlightenment ideas, especially John Locke.

Grievances

Formal complaints listed in the Declaration of Independence describing abuses of power by the British king.

Mercantilism

An economic system in which colonies exist to benefit the mother country through controlled trade and resource extraction.

U.S. Constitution (1787)

The foundational framework of the U.S. government establishing federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances.

King Louis XVI & Queen Marie Antoinette

The French monarchs whose extravagant spending and poor leadership contributed to France’s financial crisis and revolutionary unrest.

Palace of Versailles

The lavish royal residence symbolizing absolute monarchy and social inequality in France.

Bourgeoisie

Middle-class professionals and merchants who led revolutionary calls for political equality and representation.

National Assembly

A representative body formed by the Third Estate to create a constitution and end absolute monarchy.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789)

A document asserting natural rights, legal equality, and popular sovereignty in revolutionary France.

Olympe de Gouges & Declaration of the Rights of Woman and the Female Citizen

A feminist response demanding equal rights for women, exposing the limits of revolutionary equality.

National Convention

Reign of Terror

A period of extreme violence (1793–1794) led by Robespierre, during which perceived enemies of the revolution were executed via the gullitine

Napoleonic Wars

A series of wars led by Napoleon that spread revolutionary ideas across Europe while establishing French dominance.

Peninsulares

People born in Spain who held the highest political and social positions in Latin America.

Creoles

American-born people of Spanish descent who led independence movements but lacked top political power.

Mestizos

People of mixed European and Indigenous ancestry, forming a large laboring class.

Mulattoes

People of mixed European and African ancestry.

Native Indians

Native Indians

Indigenous peoples of the Americas who faced exploitation under colonial rule.

Slaves

Enslaved Africans forced into labor, particularly on plantations and in mines.

Napoleon Invaded Spain (1808)

Napoleon’s invasion weakened Spanish authority, triggering Latin American independence movements.

Toussaint L’Ouverture

A formerly enslaved leader who led the Haitian Revolution (w mostly slaves fighting) against French rule.

Jamaica Letter

Bolívar’s essay outlining his vision for Latin American independence and unity.

Dom Pedro

The Portuguese prince who declared Brazil’s independence and became its first emperor.