Unit 5.2: Nationalism and Revolutions in the Period from c. 1750–1900

American Revolution

A colonial revolt against British rule that lasted from 1775 to 1783, resulting in the founding of the United States of America. It involved principles of Enlightenment thought and the assertion of rights, leading to the establishment of a democratic government.

Declaration of Independence

The document adopted on July 4, 1776, which declared the thirteen American colonies free and independent from British rule, outlining grievances against King George III.

Treaty of Waitangi

A document signed in 1840 between the British Crown and various Māori chiefs, establishing British law in New Zealand while recognizing Māori land rights.

Māori People

Indigenous people of New Zealand, with a rich culture and history.

Māori King Movement (Kingitanga)

A political movement established in the 1850s to unify the Māori people under a single monarch, aimed at preserving autonomy and land rights against colonial encroachment. This fostered Māori unity and nationalism.

Saint Domingue

Former French colony that became Haiti, known for the first successful slave rebellion leading to independence.

Santo Domingo

Capital of the Dominican Republic, established during Spanish colonization.

Gland Blancs

Descendants of European colonists in Haiti, who held power and were rich white landowners before the Haitian Revolution.

Petit Blancs

The lower class of white colonists in Haiti, primarily composed of artisans and laborers who resented the wealth and privilege of the Gland Blancs. They were the poor white people.

Gens de Couleur

Free people of color in Saint-Domingue, often of mixed African and European descent, who sought equal rights and often owned property.

Maroons

Runaway slaves in the Caribbean who formed independent communities. They wanted equal treatment for all people regardless of race.

Slaves

Individuals who were forced into labor and denied personal freedom, primarily of African descent in the Americas, who resisted oppression and sought liberation. They fought for personal freedoms.

Haitian Revolution

A successful revolt against French colonial rule in Saint-Domingue, leading to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic in 1804.

French Revolution

A period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799, characterized by the overthrow of the monarchy, the rise of radical political factions, and the establishment of the First French Republic.

Boukman

A leader of the Haitian Revolution, known for his role in the early stages of the revolt. He famously was a voodoo priest that united enslaved people in their fight for freedom.

Toussaint L’Overture

A former enslaved person and key leader in the Haitian Revolution. He played a crucial role in the successful fight for independence from French colonial rule and governed Haiti until his capture in 1802. He created a constitution and that failed to declare independence and was later captured and sent to France with a death in prison.

Napoleon Bonaparte

A French leader who sent troops to Hispañola that were successful at first but were later defeated by the resistance and disease, most notably the yellow fever.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

A general in the Haitian Revolution who succeeded Toussaint L'Overture and declared Haiti's independence in 1804, becoming its first ruler. He was the man to give Haiti its name.

Haiti

The first independent black-led republic in the world, established in 1804 following the successful revolution against French colonial rule. It became the second independent republic in the western hemisphere. All of its people were considered “black” and were all equal. They also entered a cycle of poverty and political violence in the 19th century.

Louisiana Territory

A vast region sold by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1804, doubling the size of the United States and significantly expanding its territory westward.

Father Miguel Hidalgo

A Roman Catholic priest in Mexico, he is best known for leading the Mexican Independence Movement against Spanish rule.

Agustin de Iturbide

The Mexican general and politician who became the first Emperor of Mexico in 1822 after leading the country to independence from Spain.

Simon Bolivar

A Venezuelan military and political leader who played a key role in Latin America's successful struggle for independence from Spanish rule. He was a creole who believed in Enlightenment ideas and promoted the formation of Gran Colombia.

The Jamaica Letter

A document written by Simon Bolivar in 1815, outlining his vision for Latin America and the need for independence from Spanish rule. It emphasized unity among South American nations and the importance of liberty and democracy.

Gran Colombia

A republic that included several modern-day countries in South America, established by Simon Bolivar after the independence from Spanish rule.

Jose San Martin

An Argentine general and key leader in the South American wars of independence. He played a crucial role in liberating Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish rule.

Dom Pedro I

The first Emperor of Brazil, known for declaring Brazil's independence from Portugal in 1822 and later establishing a constitutional monarchy.

Caudillos

Military or political leaders in Latin America who often gained power through force and maintained authority over regions. They were called political strongmen.

Lola Rodriguez de Tio

A Puerto Rican poet and political activist known for her advocacy for independence and her work in promoting the rights of women and her opposition to colonial rule. She was forced into exile twice.

Propaganda Movement

A nationalist movement in the Philippines during the late 19th century aimed at political reform under Spanish colonial rule, advocating for representation and rights through educational and literary efforts.

José Rizal

A Filipino nationalist, reformist, and writer whose works inspired the Philippine Revolution against Spanish colonization. He advocated for greater autonomy for the Philippines.

The Philippine Revolution

An armed conflict from 1896 to 1898 that sought independence from Spanish colonial rule, fueled by nationalist sentiments and reformist ideologies. They failed through due to the Spanish-American War and subsequent American colonization of the Philippines.

France

In 1848, this nation had an election of a new president by all males that set up the Second Republic.

Germany

In 1848, this nation had 38 states that tried to unify together but failed.

Austria

In 1848, this nation consisted of many different nationalities and all wanted their own government, but were all put down by their military.

Italy

In 1848, this nation consisted of nine separate kingdoms and two revolted against Austria; they failed.

Giuseppe Mazzini

An Italian nationalist leader and key figure in the movement for Italian unification, known for promoting the idea of a united Italy and founding the Young Italy movement.

Count Camillo di Cavour

An Italian statesman and a leading figure in the movement for Italian unification, known for his diplomatic skills and role as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sardinia. He wanted Austria out of Italy and allied Italy with Napoleon III with France.

Giuseppe Garibaldi

An Italian general and nationalist who played a crucial role in the unification of Italy. He is best known for his military campaigns, particularly helping to secure Southern Italy.

Victor Emmanuel II

The first King of a united Italy, who played a significant role in the unification process and was a key ally of both Cavour and Garibaldi.

Austria and Prussia

The two largest states of Unified Germany.

Otto Von Bismarck

A Prussian leader known for orchestrating the unification of Germany through a series of wars and diplomatic strategies. He served as on of the first prime ministers of the German Empire.

Seven Weeks’ War

A conflict between Austria and Prussia in 1866 that resulted in Prussia's dominance over Germany and led to the exclusion of Austria from German affairs.

Zollervein

A free trade zone developed within Unified Germany that all German states can trade with no taxes besides Austria.

Franco-Prussian War

A 1870-1871 conflict between France and Prussia that led to the unification of Germany and established German imperial power after Prussia defeated French troops.

Second Reich

The German Empire established in 1871 after the unification of Germany, marking a period of German imperial rule.

France

The nation who overthrew its leader, Napoleon III, in 1870 and created the Third Republic.

Balkans

A region in Europe that many states within in began to gain their own independence from the declining Ottoman Empire by the late 1870s. Some include Greece and Serbia.

Ottomanism

A political and social movement aimed at creating a sense of unity and citizenship among the diverse ethnic groups within the Ottoman Empire, primarily during the 19th century. It sought to modernize the empire and create a unified state.

French Revolution

A period of radical social and political change in France from 1789 to 1799, characterized by the end of monarchy and the rise of republicanism.