The document summarizes political and intellectual developments between 1750-1914 that led to revolutions in America and France, including the Enlightenment, social contract theory, influential philosophers like Locke and Montesquieu, and key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and Declaration of the Rights of Man. It also discusses the impact of the American and French Revolutions, including inspiring independence movements in Latin America.
2. Vocabulary to Know
Monarchy-undivided rule or absolute sovereignty by a
single person
Political Revolution-the overthrow of one government
and its replacement with another
Political Philosophy-a theory or set of theories
regarding how a government should be run
Sovereignty-freedom from external control
3. More Vocabulary
Absolute Monarchy-king or Queen who has absolute
power and seeks to control all aspects of society (Louis
XIV France)
Limited Monarchy-laws limit the power of a ruler
(constitutional monarchy) (England after the Glorious
Revolution)
Absolute monarchies may be stable and powerful but
rarely do they recognize the importance of individual
rights!
4. Enlightenment-Age of Reason
Scientific Revolution-promotes application of reason and
the scientific method to all aspects of society, including
government
Social Contract Theory (2 Views)
Hobbes-people create government, but give up their rights to
a strong ruler in exchange for law and order-men should put
faith in their government to provide stability since life is
“cruel, nasty, and short.”
Locke-people have the natural ability to govern their own
affairs-natural rights of life, liberty, and property; people can
overthrow a government that does not protect these rights!
(Heavily influenced Thomas Jefferson)
5. Enlightenment-Age of Reason
Philosophes-apply reason to all aspects of life
including truth, nature, happiness, progress, and
liberty.
Montesquieu-separation of powers-three branches of
government and checks and balances on these powers
Rousseau-individual freedom-general will (majority)
should decide the laws of the nation
Mary Wollstonecraft-women deserve the same rights as
men
William Wilberforce-British politician who successfully
led the movement to abolish slavery in Britain in 1807
6. Impact of the Enlightenment
European monarchies make reforms
American and French Revolutions
Belief in progress through social equality and
improvements in education
More secular outlook-questioned religious beliefs and
the teaching of the Church
Importance of the individual
7. Enlightenment leads to Revolution!
Separation of Powers: power should not rest in the
hands of one or the few
Checks and Balances: measures designed to prevent
one branch of government from becoming too
powerful
Liberty: Freedom, the ability to make choices, no
oppression (social or economic)
Equality: all MEN are equal
Democracy: people make the political decisions (direct
or republic)
8. Enlightenment leads to Revolution!
Popular Sovereignty: political power rests with the
people-voting and participation in government
Human Rights: inalienable rights/individual rights
Constitutionalism: basic principles and laws of a
government should be organized into a written
document
Nationalism: devotion to the interests or culture of
one’s nation-independence from foreign domination-
emphasizing national rather than international goals
9. American Revolution (1775-1783)-
Causes
Glorious Revolution(limited monarchy) and
Enlightenment(natural rights)
“Rights as Englishmen” were violated “No taxation w/o
representation”
British policies towards the colonies (taxes)
Declaration of Independence (grievances against King
George III)
10. American Revolution-
Characteristics
Started by merchant class
Protest against taxation
Many remained loyal to Britain
Success due to alliances with France and Spain
British overconfidence and fighting a long-distance
war
12. French Revolution(1789-1795)-
Causes
Enlightenment and American Revolution
Inequality in the class system (1st, 2nd, and 3rd Estates)
Abuses by nobility and kings
Debt and high taxes
Crop failures cause price of bread to rise above the
price that peasants can pay (famine)
13. French Revolution-Characteristics
Originates with lower classes (as opposed to
merchants in America)
Extreme violence-Reign of Terror, guillotine, execution
of nobility including King Louis XVI and Marie
Antoinette
14. French Revolution-Consequences
Declaration of the Rights of Man
Parliament established
Peasants freed
Chaos in government results in Napoleon and the
Army coming to power and creating the French
Empire
15. Impact of Napoleon-France
Restored order after the Reign of Terror
Efficient tax collection and a national bank improved
the economy
Lycees set up as government run public schools to train
students as potential government officials
Roman Catholic Church-majority church of France-
rejected church control over national affairs
Napoleonic Code-uniform set of laws-limited
freedoms of speech and press, as well as women’s
rights
16. Impact of Napoleon-Europe
Annexed Austrian Netherlands and parts of Italy
Puppet government in Switzerland
War against Third Coalition
(Britain, Austria, Russia, Sweden, and Prussia)
Britain retains naval supremacy-Battle of Trafalgar
Continental System-economic blockade against Britain
unsuccessful
Invades Spain-brother Joseph named King
Attempts to invade Russia, but fails (winter)
Defeat at Leipzig-exiled to Elba
Returns to power, but defeated at Waterloo-exiled to St. Helena
Congress of Vienna-restore balance of power to Europe
17. Impact of Napoleon-Latin America
Establishment of Haiti as an independent republic
after the first successful slave revolt in history
Napoleon’s troops decimated in Haiti due to yellow
fever
Independence movements in Spanish colonies begin
when Napoleon conquers Spain in 1808
Spanish creoles had no loyalty and argue that power
shifts to the people
18. American and French Revs
influence Latin America
American Rev showed that colonies could win
independence
Both had written declarations that address natural
rights
American allowed a free market to flourish
French was the uprising of the common man
Enlightenment influenced Simon Bolivar in Colombia
and Venezuela
Both inspire revs in Argentina (Jose de San
Martin), Chile, Peru, and Mexico (Miguel Hidalgo)
19. Influential Documents
English Bill of Rights
Limited the monarch
No suspension of Parliament’s laws
No taxes w/o consent of Parliament
No suspension of freedom of speech in Parliament
Citizens have the right to petition the king with
grievances
20. Influential Documents
Declaration of Independence
Unalienable rights-life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness
Governments established to protect these rights
People have the right to change or abolish a government
that does not protect these rights
21. Influential Documents
U.S. Constitution
Three branches-Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Federal System (power divided between states and
national government)
Limits on power of government
Popular election of executive and legislators
Bill of Rights to protect personal freedoms
22. Influential Documents
Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen
(France)
Men are born and remain free and equal
Rights include liberty, property, security, and freedom
from oppression
Governments should preserve these rights
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”