usa lgbta

American Revolution

The first major revolution inspired by Enlightenment principles (1765-1783), where American colonists fought British rule over taxation without representation.

Declaration of Independence

Document written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776, declaring American independence and based on John Locke's ideas of social contract and popular sovereignty.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the government's power comes from the consent of the governed (the people).

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a national (federal) government and state governments.

Third Estate

The commoners of France who formed the National Assembly in 1789, sparking the French Revolution.

National Assembly

Formed by the Third Estate in 1789 with the goal of creating a constitutional monarchy in France.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

French document written in 1789, inspired by the American Revolution, declaring the rights of citizens.

Reign of Terror

Period (1793-1794) during the French Revolution where radicals led by Maximilien Robespierre executed thousands to eliminate opposition.

Jacobins

A radical political faction during the French Revolution that led the Reign of Terror.

Napoleon Bonaparte

French military leader who staged a coup in 1799, crowned himself Emperor in 1804, and expanded French territory across Europe.

Napoleonic Code

A comprehensive legal system established by Napoleon in 1804 that ensured legal equality for men but restricted women's rights and reinstated slavery.

Napoleonic Wars

A series of wars (1800-1815) fought by Napoleon to expand French territory, which spread nationalism across Europe.

Haitian Revolution

The successful slave revolt (1791-1804) in Saint-Domingue (Haiti), leading to the first Black-led republic in the Americas.

Toussaint Louverture

Former slave and Enlightenment-educated leader of the Haitian Revolution.

Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Successor to Louverture who declared Haiti's independence in 1804.

Social Hierarchy in Haiti

1. Grand/Petit Blancs (whites), 2. Gens de couleur libres (free mixed race), 3. Enslaved people.

Simon Bolivar

A Creole revolutionary known as "The Liberator" who led South American independence movements against Spain.

Gran Colombia

The large unified republic envisioned by Bolivar, comprising modern Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Creole

American-born descendants of Spanish settlers in Latin America who often led independence movements.

Caudillo

A military strongman or dictator who ruled in Latin America after independence.

Enlightenment

An intellectual movement emphasizing reason, individual rights, and government by consent, which inspired these revolutions.

Social Contract

The idea that governments exist by the consent of the people to protect their rights, and can be overthrown if they fail.

Separation of Powers

Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, judicial) to prevent concentration of power.

Latin American Outcomes

After independence, Latin America faced disunity, caudillo rule, corruption, and persistent social/racial divisions.

Outcomes in Europe

After Napoleon, Europe saw a conservative revival but also growing nationalism.

Outcomes in the USA

Established a stable republic based on popular sovereignty, though it struggled with expansion and equal rights.

Enlightened Despot

A ruler with absolute power who uses it to implement Enlightenment-inspired reforms (e.g., Napoleon).

Nationalism

A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's nation, often fueled by revolutionary wars and independence movements.