World Historic Events: The Age of Revolutions (American, French, Haitian)

Flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on the Age of Revolutions, the American Revolution, its global context, and its lasting implications.

What is the 'Age of Revolutions' and its approximate timeframe?

The period roughly from the 1750s to the early 1800s (approximately 1750s–1820s) when revolutions reshaped the Atlantic world.

What is a world historic event?

An event with global impact that has a 'before' and 'after' and creates ripple effects across places.

Name the three major revolutions discussed and their chronological order.

American Revolution (earliest), French Revolution (middle), Haitian Revolution (latest and most radical).

Define the difference between a war and a revolution.

A revolution involves profound, structural change to a society after upheaval; a war is a conflict that may or may not result in such foundational change.

What was the Stamp Act of 1765?

A tax on all paper goods in the American colonies, fueling resistance under the slogan 'no taxation without representation.'

Describe the Boston Massacre and its significance.

March 5, 1770; British troops fired on protesters in Boston; Crispus Attucks, a free person of color, was among the first killed; it intensified colonial protests.

What happened on December 16, 1773 in Boston?

The Boston Tea Party: colonists dumped British tea into the harbor as a protest against taxation and monopoly; an act of economic sabotage.

What is the 'shot heard round the world' and when did it occur?

The first shot at Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775, signaling the start of the armed phase of the American Revolution.

What roles did France and Spain play in supporting the American Revolution?

France provided military and naval aid; Spain contributed support including campaigns in Florida/Pensacola and cooperation to pressure Britain; the conflict became international.

What does it mean that many American leaders were 'deists' during the Revolution?

A belief in a non-interventionist God who created the world but does not actively control everyday events; leaders like Jefferson, Washington, Paine are described as deists.

What is the significance of the Declaration of Independence?

Articulates natural rights and the concept of citizenship; asserts that all men are endowed with life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments derive their authority from the governed.

Who could voting in the early United States and what were the limitations?

Voting was generally limited to white male landowners; women, enslaved people, and Indigenous people largely lacked voting rights.

How did colonial protests escalate toward insurrection?

Protests intensified into organized actions (e.g., Boston Tea Party) aided by pamphleteers like Thomas Paine; militias formed, and British troops were deployed to enforce authority.

Who was Crispus Attucks and why is he notable in the Boston Massacre?

A free Black man who was among the first to die in the Boston Massacre, highlighting the diverse participants in the revolutionary era.

What issue did the Continental Congress postpone addressing, leading to ongoing debate?

Slavery; there were fierce debates, but the issue was kicked down the road rather than resolved.

What is the symbolic distinction between 'citizens' and 'subjects' in the revolutionary era?

The revolution advanced the idea of citizenship and individual rights for some groups, but many people (Indigenous peoples, enslaved individuals, and women) remained excluded from full rights.

Which document begins with 'Behold these truths' and what does it proclaim?

The Declaration of Independence; proclaims that all men are created equal and endowed with unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and happiness.