How did the Enlightenment influence the Age of Revolutions?
The Age of Revolutions was vastly influenced by several enlightenment thinkers including John Locke and Baron of Montesquieu, which initiated the rebellion in the United States of America and Brazil as well as introducing the concept of separation of powers in the United States, Thomas Hobbes also influenced places like Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay introducing the limited monarchy. The United States based their Declaration of Independence on these enlightenment thinkers. Uses a lot of Locke’s ideologies including the right to revolt after “a long train of abuses” from the government. Before the American Revolution, Britain had the Colonists very controlled with enforced laws such as Mercantilism. This made the Colonists discomfort grow which started several spark causes like the Boston Massacre or the Boston Tea Party, that led to the American Revolution, and once they were independent all the government was based on the Enlightenment thinkers. Just as the United States, Brazil was also greatly influenced by these thinkers especially John Locke’s ideas stating that: "But if a long train of abuses, prevarications and artifices, all tending the same way, make the design visible to the people, and they cannot but feel, what they lie under, and whither they are going, 'tis not to be wondered, that they should then rouse themselves” (Second Treatise, Chapter 19). Before this Revolution the Brazilian government was completely abused by the Portuguese after the royal family moved to Brazil and had a negative impact causing tension that would then lead to them revolting. The Revolution of Rio de la Plata was also influenced by these thinkers. Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin went to Europe where they read all about Thomas Hobbes and the absolute democracy. They agreed it was the worst type of government, they also son Napoleon’s idea of establishing Joseph as a sign of weakness and an opportunity to become independent of Britain. Overall, these Enlightenment thinker’s ideas were key to the Age of Revolution, inspiring several nations to revolt and and gain their independence.
2. How did the French Revolution cause other revolutions?
The French Revolution, being one of the first ones from 1680-1820, influenced other major revolutions like the Haitian influenced by the Declaration of Rights and Men, the Brazilian due to Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal, and the Rio de la Plata Revolution with Napoleon’s establishment of his brother Joseph in charge of Spain. In 1791, when the Declaration of Rights and Men was written and became official in France, Toussaint L’Overture a black slave stood up for the rest of the slaves in Haiti and led a revolution against France due to their constant violations of the Human Rights. He dictated that the Declaration of Rights and Men became enforced in Haiti too and also fought for the independence of Haiti. The French Revolution also started things up with the Brazilian. When Napoleon invaded Portugal the royal family fled to Brazil where the disagreements grew larger and larger. As soon as the royal family arrived they asked for ridiculous taxes and changed the rules causing rage in the colonists. Once everything was reestablished in Portugal the royal family left Brazil but left don Pedro in charge. After a few years he was asked to return to return to Portugal but his wife, Maria Leopoldina saying: "Do not oppress the poor. Be charitable. Do not complain about what God has given you, but improve your habits. We must strive earnestly to be good” convinced him to stay there and fight for Brazil’s independence from Portugal. The Rio de la Plata revolution was also influenced by the French. When Napoleon took over Spain and placed his brother Joseph in charge, José de San Martín and Simón Bolivar led Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to fight for their independence since they considered Joseph as a sign of weakness. It is evident that the French Revolution impacted the Haitian, Brazilian and Rio de la Plata revolutions with invasions to Spain and Portugal or the Declaration of Rights and Men.
3. What role did inequality play in the Age of Revolutions?
Inequality played a enormous role during the Age of Revolutions including the American, Haitian and Mexican Revolutions. Before the American Revolution Native Americans and Africans were greatly discriminated by the white colonists used as slaves and sometimes even beaten to death. The colonists also abused women from these races and if they resisted they would get beaten as well. In the Haitian Revolution inequality was the main reason why the slaves fought for their independence. Haiti was a place where France would get all their raw materials from. But the reality was that there were thousands of natives there that were forced into slavery. Once the slave could not take it anymore they decided to revolt and claim that the Declaration of Rights and Man should be taken into consideration in Haiti as well as in France. In Mexico the encomienda systems were enforced. These put this of wealth and higher social status with a lot of power, they could even use natives for harsh forced labor, just as if they were slaves. Overall we can see that inequality played a huge role on the Age of Revolutions and caused the American, Haitian and Mexican Revolutions.
4. Why did these revolutions take place, and why did so many of them take place during this period?
During 1680-1720, revolutions became a common thing around the world and they all had one key similarity, they all fought for independence. These were caused by several reasons including the Enlightenment thinkers, other revolutions and inequality. All the Enlightenment thinkers expressed their ideas which were read by the whole world and inspired some very important revolutions such as the American. These thinkers can be considered the most influential philosophers of all time. Other revolutions were caused by earlier revolutions. For example the French Revolution impacted the Brazilian, Haitian and Rio de la Plata. Two of these were actually due to Napoleon’s invasions to Spain and Portugal. Inequality was also present during that time and it can be considered a major cause in certain revolutions such as the Haitian or the Mexican. This inequality caused political, economic, and social instability in many places around the world. Influenced by the philosophers the people gathered up enough courage to finally fight for their freedom. This whole process occurred so early because of these thinkers therefore they can be considered the most influential of all time.
The Age of Revolutions was vastly influenced by several enlightenment thinkers including John Locke and Baron of Montesquieu, which initiated the rebellion in the United States of America and Brazil as well as introducing the concept of separation of powers in the United States, Thomas Hobbes also influenced places like Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay introducing the limited monarchy. The United States based their Declaration of Independence on these enlightenment thinkers. Uses a lot of Locke’s ideologies including the right to revolt after “a long train of abuses” from the government. Before the American Revolution, Britain had the Colonists very controlled with enforced laws such as Mercantilism. This made the Colonists discomfort grow which started several spark causes like the Boston Massacre or the Boston Tea Party, that led to the American Revolution, and once they were independent all the government was based on the Enlightenment thinkers. Just as the United States, Brazil was also greatly influenced by these thinkers especially John Locke’s ideas stating that: "But if a long train of abuses, prevarications and artifices, all tending the same way, make the design visible to the people, and they cannot but feel, what they lie under, and whither they are going, 'tis not to be wondered, that they should then rouse themselves” (Second Treatise, Chapter 19). Before this Revolution the Brazilian government was completely abused by the Portuguese after the royal family moved to Brazil and had a negative impact causing tension that would then lead to them revolting. The Revolution of Rio de la Plata was also influenced by these thinkers. Simon Bolivar and Jose de San Martin went to Europe where they read all about Thomas Hobbes and the absolute democracy. They agreed it was the worst type of government, they also son Napoleon’s idea of establishing Joseph as a sign of weakness and an opportunity to become independent of Britain. Overall, these Enlightenment thinker’s ideas were key to the Age of Revolution, inspiring several nations to revolt and and gain their independence.
2. How did the French Revolution cause other revolutions?
The French Revolution, being one of the first ones from 1680-1820, influenced other major revolutions like the Haitian influenced by the Declaration of Rights and Men, the Brazilian due to Napoleon’s invasion of Portugal, and the Rio de la Plata Revolution with Napoleon’s establishment of his brother Joseph in charge of Spain. In 1791, when the Declaration of Rights and Men was written and became official in France, Toussaint L’Overture a black slave stood up for the rest of the slaves in Haiti and led a revolution against France due to their constant violations of the Human Rights. He dictated that the Declaration of Rights and Men became enforced in Haiti too and also fought for the independence of Haiti. The French Revolution also started things up with the Brazilian. When Napoleon invaded Portugal the royal family fled to Brazil where the disagreements grew larger and larger. As soon as the royal family arrived they asked for ridiculous taxes and changed the rules causing rage in the colonists. Once everything was reestablished in Portugal the royal family left Brazil but left don Pedro in charge. After a few years he was asked to return to return to Portugal but his wife, Maria Leopoldina saying: "Do not oppress the poor. Be charitable. Do not complain about what God has given you, but improve your habits. We must strive earnestly to be good” convinced him to stay there and fight for Brazil’s independence from Portugal. The Rio de la Plata revolution was also influenced by the French. When Napoleon took over Spain and placed his brother Joseph in charge, José de San Martín and Simón Bolivar led Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay to fight for their independence since they considered Joseph as a sign of weakness. It is evident that the French Revolution impacted the Haitian, Brazilian and Rio de la Plata revolutions with invasions to Spain and Portugal or the Declaration of Rights and Men.
3. What role did inequality play in the Age of Revolutions?
Inequality played a enormous role during the Age of Revolutions including the American, Haitian and Mexican Revolutions. Before the American Revolution Native Americans and Africans were greatly discriminated by the white colonists used as slaves and sometimes even beaten to death. The colonists also abused women from these races and if they resisted they would get beaten as well. In the Haitian Revolution inequality was the main reason why the slaves fought for their independence. Haiti was a place where France would get all their raw materials from. But the reality was that there were thousands of natives there that were forced into slavery. Once the slave could not take it anymore they decided to revolt and claim that the Declaration of Rights and Man should be taken into consideration in Haiti as well as in France. In Mexico the encomienda systems were enforced. These put this of wealth and higher social status with a lot of power, they could even use natives for harsh forced labor, just as if they were slaves. Overall we can see that inequality played a huge role on the Age of Revolutions and caused the American, Haitian and Mexican Revolutions.
4. Why did these revolutions take place, and why did so many of them take place during this period?
During 1680-1720, revolutions became a common thing around the world and they all had one key similarity, they all fought for independence. These were caused by several reasons including the Enlightenment thinkers, other revolutions and inequality. All the Enlightenment thinkers expressed their ideas which were read by the whole world and inspired some very important revolutions such as the American. These thinkers can be considered the most influential philosophers of all time. Other revolutions were caused by earlier revolutions. For example the French Revolution impacted the Brazilian, Haitian and Rio de la Plata. Two of these were actually due to Napoleon’s invasions to Spain and Portugal. Inequality was also present during that time and it can be considered a major cause in certain revolutions such as the Haitian or the Mexican. This inequality caused political, economic, and social instability in many places around the world. Influenced by the philosophers the people gathered up enough courage to finally fight for their freedom. This whole process occurred so early because of these thinkers therefore they can be considered the most influential of all time.