Atalantic Revoltions

enlightenment ideals

The Enlightenment ideals during the Atlantic Revolutions were principles like reason, liberty, and equality. These ideologies rejected the divine right of kings and absolute monarchy, emphasizing rational thought and sovereignty of the people.

Estates General

The Estates General was an assembly representing France's clergy, nobility, and middle class. It was summoned by King Louis XVI in 1789 for the first time since 1614 to support financial reform measures and prevent an aristocratic revolt. However, the Estates General was marked by a significant conflict over its voting process, leading to the Third Estate (representing the common people) declaring themselves as the National Assembly and vowing not to disperse until constitutional reform had been achieved. The calling of the Estates General and its subsequent transformation into the National Assembly was a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, signifying the erosion of the old regime and the rise of representative government

Bastille

The Bastille was a fortress in Paris that was stormed by rioters on July 14, 1789, to secure gunpowder and weapons. This event is considered the start of the French Revolution. The storming of the Bastille is significant as it symbolized the end of the absolute monarchy and the beginning of the people's uprising against the French monarchy.

tennis court oath

The Tennis Court Oath was a pledge made by the members of France's Third Estate on June 20, 1789. They vowed not to disperse until constitutional reform had been achieved. Marked a departure from the established political structure, with the Third Estate, representing the common people, asserting their political power. The Tennis Court Oath was a defining moment of the French Revolution, symbolizing the rebellion against the traditional hierarchy and the demand for a constitution.

National Assmebly

The National Assembly was a political body that the Third Estate delegates in France named themselves during the French Revolution. They fought for equal representation and the abolishment of the noble veto. Its formation marked a significant shift in power towards the common people and away from the monarchy and nobility. The National Assembly's establishment is considered a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, representing the erosion of the old regime and the rise of representative government.

Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was a document adopted by the French National Assembly in August 1789. It was a statement of democratic principles grounded in the philosophical and political ideas of Enlightenment thinkers. The document proclaimed the Assembly's commitment to replace the old regime with a system based on equal opportunity, freedom of speech, popular sovereignty, and representative government. This significant document marked a major step forward in human rights and is seen as a foundational text of human rights law.

Maximilien Robespierre

Maximilien Robespierre was an influential figure in the French Revolution who dominated the Committee of Public Safety. Known for his radical beliefs, Robespierre played a key role in a series of measures including the Reign of Terror, a 10-month period where suspected enemies of the revolution were executed in large numbers. His reign ended with his own execution in July 1794.

Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror was a 10-month period during the French Revolution where suspected enemies of the revolution were guillotined by the thousands under orders from the Jacobins. This period was marked by extreme measures to suppress counter-revolutionary activities. The Reign of Terror is significant because it represents the most violent phase of the French Revolution. It ended with the execution of its instigator, Maximilien Robespierre, which marked a turning point in the Revolution.

Olympe de Gouges

Olympe de Gouges was a French activist and writer during the French Revolution who advocated for women's rights. She is known for her work, "Declaration of the Rights of Woman," which challenged the male-dominated societal norms of her time. She argued that women should have the same rights as men. Despite her contributions, her ideas were seen as dangerous to the establishment, and she was executed during the Reign of Terror. Her work and sacrifice have made her a significant figure in the history of women's rights.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte was a successful general who rose to power during the French Revolution. He led the army to silence protests against the new regime. His strategic and military prowess helped him to consolidate power, eventually crowning himself as Emperor. His reign had significant impacts on France and Europe, introducing administrative and legal reforms that formed the basis of many legal systems around the world. However, his expansionist ambitions led to the Napoleonic Wars, and his eventual defeat at the Battle of Waterloo. His rule is marked as the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic era.

3 “myths” of the french revolution

The 3 myths of the French Revolution are:

1. The revolution was caused by peasants rising up against King Louis XVI: In reality, it was a complex mix of factors including the aristocracy, a financial crisis, and the bourgeoisie.

2. The Revolution led to equality for all: Despite the ideals of "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," equality was not achieved for everyone. Certain groups, like women and the poor, did not see significant improvements in their status.

3. Revolution would mean the end of the monarchy: The revolution did result in the fall of King Louis XVI, but monarchy was restored later in France, with Napoleon Bonaparte eventually declaring himself Emperor.

Life in Saint-Domingue

Life in Saint-Domingue, which is today known as Haiti, was marked by an unstable social pyramid. At the top were the grand blancs, or white plantation owners, followed by the petite blancs, or working class and civil servants. Despite often being wealthy and even owning plantations, free people of color did not enjoy the same rights due to their skin color. The majority of the population consisted of enslaved Africans working under brutal conditions in the plantations, producing much of the world's sugar and coffee. These harsh conditions led to the Haitian Revolution.

Social Classes in Saint Domingue

In Saint-Domingue, the society was structured as an unstable social pyramid. At the top were the grand blancs, or wealthy white plantation owners. Below them were the petite blancs, the working class and civil servants who often conflicted with the free people of color, who were often wealthy but did not enjoy the same rights due to their skin color. The majority of the population were enslaved Africans, forced to work under brutal conditions. This social structure, marked by severe inequality, was a major factor leading to the Haitian Revolution.

Toussaint Louverture

Toussaint Louverture was a former slave who became a key leader in the Haitian Revolution. He led the enslaved population in a revolt against the plantation owners, overcoming internal resistance and foreign powers. He even defeated Napoleon's attempt to reestablish French control. His leadership and the success of the Haitian Revolution made him a symbol of the fight against slavery and colonial oppression.

Haiti’s Independence debt

The "Independence Debt" refers to the enormous financial burden the French imposed on Haiti after its independence in 1804. France demanded a massive indemnity in exchange for recognizing Haiti's independence, arguing it was compensation for the French colonists who had lost their plantations. This debt crippled Haiti's economy, as it took over a century to pay off, contributing to Haiti's enduring poverty and political instability.

Jean- Jacques Dessalines

Jean-Jacques Dessalines was the first head of state of Haiti after its independence. He declared Haiti's independence on January 1, 1804, symbolizing a break with Europe and a connection with the long-deceased native inhabitants of the land. Dessalines was significant in defining all Haitian citizens as "black" and legally equal regardless of color or class, challenging elite preferences for lighter skin. His leadership was significant in creating a nation of small-scale farmers producing mostly for their own needs, with a much smaller export sector.

Casta System (Peninsulares, Creole, Mestizo, People of Indigneous and African Descent)

The Casta System in Latin America, including Saint-Domingue, was a hierarchical racial classification created by Spanish elites. At the top of this pyramid were the Peninsulares, or those born in Spain. Below them were the Creoles, or descendants of white European colonial settlers born in the Americas. Next were the Mestizos, people of mixed European and Indigenous descent. At the bottom were people of Indigenous or African descent. This system had implications for social status, wealth, power, and opportunity. It was a source of discontent and, in many cases, a catalyst for revolutions.

Simon Bolivar

Simón Bolívar was a key figure in the Latin American independence movement against Spain. He was a military leader who played a significant role in achieving independence for several Latin American countries. Bolívar hoped for a united Latin America, but unfortunately, this did not happen. He was a Creole (a person of European descent born in the Americas), born in Venezuela.

Jose de San Martin

José de San Martín was a significant military leader in the Latin American independence movement. He played key roles in the independence of Argentina, Chile, and Peru from Spanish rule.

Tupac Amaru

Tupac Amaru was a leader of an indigenous uprising in Peru in the early 1780s. He claimed direct descent from the last Inca emperor. His rebellion served as a reminder of the potential for social rebellion from oppressed people of color.

Hidalogo-Morelos Rebellion

The Hidalgo-Morelos Rebellion was a peasant insurrection led by priests Miguel Hidalgo and José Morelos in Mexico between 1810-1811. The rebellion was driven by a desire for land and high food prices, and it threatened the social order of the time.

Outcomes of revolution in Brazil, Argentina, and Venezuela

In Venezuela, the revolution led to some degree of self-rule, representative government, and the abolition of slavery. However, it took time for these changes to be effective, and not all people were granted equal rights initially.

The revolution in Argentina resulted in self-rule and the abolition of slavery. Despite transitioning to a dictatorship after the war, Argentina eventually established a constitution granting equal rights to all men and boosted the economy.

In Brazil, the revolution led to the establishment of a republic and the abolition of slavery, but it did not initially create a constitution or grant new rights to its citizens. It was only after a military coup overthrew Dom Pedro II that a republic was established and a new constitution was approved. However, despite these changes, women were not granted the right to vote.