🌍AP World History: Modern Unit 5 – Revolutions (1750-1900)

Key Revolutionary Events

• American Revolution (1765-1783) overthrew British colonial rule and established the United States as an independent nation
• French Revolution (1789-1799) abolished the monarchy, established a republic, and led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
  • Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789 marked the beginning of the revolution
  • Execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette in 1793
• Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a successful slave revolt that led to the establishment of Haiti as the first independent black republic
• Latin American Revolutions (1808-1826) resulted in the independence of many Latin American countries from Spanish and Portuguese rule
  • Revolutions in Mexico, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and Peru
• Revolutions of 1848 were a series of political upheavals across Europe that challenged traditional monarchies and sought liberal reforms
  • Revolutions in France, Germany, Italy, and the Austrian Empire

Causes and Catalysts

• Enlightenment ideas of natural rights, individual liberty, and popular sovereignty challenged traditional political and social structures
• Economic inequalities and social stratification led to growing discontent among the lower and middle classes
• Fiscal crises and heavy taxation burdened the population and fueled resentment towards ruling authorities
  • France's financial crisis due to excessive spending and the cost of supporting the American Revolution
• Influence of successful revolutions, such as the American Revolution, inspired others to seek change
• Nationalism and the desire for self-determination motivated colonized peoples to fight for independence
• Technological advancements, such as the printing press, facilitated the spread of revolutionary ideas
• Political oppression and lack of representation in government decision-making processes

Major Figures and Leaders

• George Washington, commander of the Continental Army and first President of the United States
• Thomas Jefferson, primary author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States
• Maximilien Robespierre, a prominent figure in the French Revolution known for his role in the Reign of Terror
• Napoleon Bonaparte, a French military leader who rose to power in the aftermath of the French Revolution and established the First French Empire
  • Implemented significant reforms, such as the Napoleonic Code
• Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave who became a leader of the Haitian Revolution
• Simón Bolívar, a key figure in the Latin American independence movement, known as "The Liberator"
  • Played a crucial role in the revolutions of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia
• José de San Martín, an Argentine general who fought for the independence of Argentina, Chile, and Peru

Ideologies and Philosophies

• Liberalism emphasized individual rights, limited government, and free markets
  • John Locke's ideas of natural rights and the social contract
  • Adam Smith's economic theories of laissez-faire and the "invisible hand"
• Republicanism promoted the idea of a government without a monarch, with power derived from the people
• Nationalism encouraged pride in one's nation and the belief that each nation should have its own independent state
• Socialism called for the collective ownership of the means of production and the distribution of goods based on need
  • Emerged as a response to the inequalities and exploitation brought about by industrialization
• Conservatism sought to maintain traditional social hierarchies and institutions, often in opposition to revolutionary changes
• Enlightenment thinkers, such as Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau, challenged traditional authority and advocated for reason, tolerance, and progress

Social and Economic Impacts

• Abolition of feudalism and the old regime in France, leading to a more egalitarian society
• Redistribution of land and property, as seen in the confiscation of church and noble lands during the French Revolution
• Expansion of political participation and the concept of citizenship, with the granting of suffrage to larger segments of the population
• Emergence of the middle class and the bourgeoisie as influential social and economic forces
• Industrialization and the growth of capitalism, facilitated by the removal of traditional economic barriers
  • Development of factory systems and the rise of the working class
• Urbanization and the growth of cities as people migrated from rural areas in search of employment
• Disruption of traditional social hierarchies and the decline of the aristocracy's power and influence
• Increased social mobility and opportunities for education and advancement

Political Transformations

• Shift from absolute monarchies to constitutional monarchies or republics
  • Establishment of the United States as a federal republic
  • France's transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, and eventually to a republic
• Separation of powers and the development of checks and balances in government
• Adoption of written constitutions that outlined the rights and responsibilities of citizens and the limits of government power
  • U.S. Constitution (1787) and the Bill of Rights (1791)
  • French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1789)
• Expansion of democratic principles and the idea of popular sovereignty
• Emergence of new forms of political participation, such as political parties and elections
• Decentralization of power and the granting of greater autonomy to local or regional governments
• Establishment of international diplomatic norms and the concept of national sovereignty

Global Connections and Influences

• Spread of revolutionary ideas and principles through trade, travel, and intellectual exchange
  • Influence of the American Revolution on the French Revolution and other movements
• Emergence of the Atlantic World as a site of revolutionary fervor and the exchange of ideas
• Role of colonialism and imperialism in shaping revolutionary movements, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean
• Diplomatic alliances and international support for revolutionary causes
  • French support for the American Revolution
  • British and Spanish involvement in the Latin American independence movements
• Economic interdependence and the global impact of revolutionary events on trade and commerce
• Circulation of pamphlets, books, and newspapers that disseminated revolutionary ideas across borders
• Emigration and exile of revolutionary figures, leading to the cross-pollination of ideas and strategies

Legacy and Long-term Effects

• Establishment of new nation-states and the redrawing of political boundaries
  • Creation of the United States, Haiti, and various Latin American republics
• Inspiration for future revolutionary movements and struggles for independence, such as the decolonization movements of the 20th century
• Development of modern political ideologies and the shaping of contemporary political discourse
• Expansion of human rights and the recognition of individual liberties as fundamental principles
  • Influence on the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
• Economic and social reforms that laid the foundation for modern societies
  • Abolition of slavery and serfdom
  • Improvements in education and public health
• Artistic and cultural expressions that reflected revolutionary themes and ideals
  • Neoclassicism and Romanticism in art and literature
• Enduring symbols and commemorations of revolutionary events and figures
  • July 4th celebrations in the United States
  • Bastille Day in France