# Revolutions during 1750-1900 (mostly 1776-1822)

## Historical Context
- Americas revolution = democratic, enlightened
  - Enlightenment ideas
  - Fighting against oppression
- Haitian Revolution
- Latin American Independence Movements

## Atlantic Revolutions
- Shared common ideas
- Atlantic basin = intellectual & cultural exchange
- Printing press
- "Human actions can improve systemic flaws"

## American Revolution
- Launched Declaration of Independence in 1776
- Made constitution in 1787
- Hope to increase liberties
  - Britain unfairly taxes colonies
- French government assists colonies
  - Probable reason for winning
- Brits tried to replace self-government
- Salutary Neglect

## French Revolution
- 1789-1815
- Soldiers inspired
- King Louis XIV
  - Absolute Monarch
  - Creates Estates System
    - 3 Estates: Clergy, nobility, and commoners (97-98%)
    - Commoners taxed more than other estates combined
- National assembly of foreigners forms, claiming sole right to lawmaking
  - Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
  - 1st, 2nd estate exclude 3rd.
    - 3rd estate bands together in "Tennis Coourt Oath"
  - Civil conflict much more radical than American (because led by commoners/middle class)
    - Censored
  - Storm Bastille to take weapons
- Reign of Terror
  - Robespierre leads arrests and execution of nobility
  - He too is guillotined.
- Napoleon Bonaparte
  - Tames the revolution
  - Founds army from commoners' nationalism

## Haitian Revolution
- Saint Domingue
  - Rich French Colony
  - Mostly Slaves
- Toussaint Loverture, a former slave, runs the revolution

## Latin American Independence Movements
- Decentralized, Plural
- Overthrowing racial hierarchy
- Against Spain, led by elite
  - Bolivar's letter from Jamaica to Britain requests aid against France
- Class Division
  - Oppressive Taxes
- Mexican Revolution by Hidalgo and Morelos (Priests)
  - Have to unite social classes against elite despite many-tiered hierarchical divisions