Unit 5 Revolutions Notes

Unit 5 Revolutions

Divine Right vs. Social Contract

  • Divine Right:
    • Monarchs believed they were ordained by God to rule.
    • The Church allied with strong monarchs.
  • Social Contract:
    • Governments exist to meet social and economic needs.

Enlightened Monarchs

  • Utilized ideas of tolerance and justice.
  • Focused on improving the quality of life.

American Revolution

  • Background:
    • Britain defeated France in the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War over American territory.
  • Causes of Revolution:
    • British attempts to raise revenue through acts like:
      • Revenue Act
      • Stamp Act
      • Tea Act
  • Colonial Opposition:
    • Colonists opposed these laws (e.g., the Boston Tea Party).
  • Key Figures/Documents:
    • Thomas Paine: "Common Sense" advocated for independence.
    • Declaration of Independence.

French Revolution

  • Causes:
    • France was running out of money due to spending on wars.
    • Louis XVI raised taxes.
    • The Estates-General was shut out, leading to the formation of the National Assembly.
  • Key Events:
    • France became a republic.
    • The Committee of Public Safety enforced the revolution.

Haitian Revolution

  • France enslaved many Haitians.
  • The enslaved people revolted and successfully gained independence.

Industrial Revolution

  • Impact:
    • Industrial countries gained power quickly.
  • Agricultural Advancements:
    • New farming technologies.
  • Origin:
    • Began in Britain.
  • Urbanization:
    • A natural consequence of industrialization.
  • Domestic System vs. Factories:
    • Domestic system: Most work was done at home, in small shops, or on farms.
  • Key Inventions:
    • Cotton gin: Processed cotton quickly.
    • Telegraph: Enabled communication over great distances.
    • Steam engine & steam ships.
    • Major developments in math & science.
  • Factory Production:
    • Rapid creation of products in factories.
    • Workers often overworked; described as "man became the machine."
  • Social Changes:
    • New social classes formed.
    • Luddites: Workers who destroyed machines at night.
    • Factory Act: Limited working hours and banned women labor.
    • Public education increased.
    • Slave trade abolished.
    • Women were often more limited to traditional roles.

Nationalism

  • The desire to be an independent nation.

Heimler Video - Enlightenment Ideas and Their Effects

  • Individualism:
    • The individual as the most basic element of society.
  • Natural Rights:
    • Humans are born with these rights.
  • Social Contract:
    • Government protects those rights.
  • Effects of Enlightenment Ideas:
    • Major Revolutions (e.g., American, French)
    • Nationalism: A sense of commonality.
    • Suffrage: Expansion of voting rights.
    • Abolition of slavery.
    • Feminist movements: Advocating for equality.