Atlantic Revolutions, Industrialization, Imperialism

• The era from 1750 to 1914 was marked by revolutions in the Atlantic world, industrialization, and imperialism.
• Enlightenment thought influenced revolutionary movements.
• The Industrial Revolution transformed economies and societies.
• Imperialism led to the domination of much of the world by European powers.

Revolutions in the Atlantic World

• The Enlightenment (18th century) emphasized reason, individualism, and human rights.
• Enlightenment thinkers include John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau.
• Locke advocated for natural rights: life, liberty, and property.
• Montesquieu promoted the separation of powers in government.
• Rousseau argued for the social contract and the general will of the people.
• The American Revolution (1775-1783) was influenced by Enlightenment ideals, particularly those of Locke.
• American colonists protested British policies such as taxation without representation.
• The Declaration of Independence (1776) declared the colonies' separation from Britain.
• The French Revolution (1789-1799) was caused by social inequalities, financial crisis, and Enlightenment ideas.
• The French monarchy, under Louis XVI, was seen as extravagant and out of touch.
• The Estates-General was convened in 1789 but quickly led to the formation of the National Assembly.
• The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, symbolized the beginning of the revolution.
• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen proclaimed equality and liberty.
• The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a period of extreme violence led by Robespierre and the Jacobins.
• Napoleon Bonaparte came to power in 1799 and established a dictatorship.
• The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a slave revolt led by Toussaint Louverture.
• Haiti became the first independent Black republic in the world.
• Revolutions in Latin America were inspired by the American and French Revolutions.
• Simón Bolívar led independence movements in Venezuela, Colombia, and other South American countries.
• José de San Martín played a key role in the independence of Argentina, Chile, and Peru.

The Industrial Revolution

• The Industrial Revolution began in Britain in the late 18th century.
• Factors contributing to industrialization in Britain included its natural resources, capital, and stable government.
• Key inventions included the steam engine (James Watt), the cotton gin (Eli Whitney), and the power loom.
• The factory system emerged, concentrating labor and machinery in one place.
• Mass production led to increased efficiency and lower prices.
• Industrialization spread to other parts of Europe, the United States, and Japan.
• Industrialization led to urbanization and the growth of cities.
• New social classes emerged: the industrial working class and the industrial middle class.
• Working conditions in factories were often harsh, with long hours and low wages.
• Child labor was common.
• Labor unions formed to advocate for workers' rights.
• Industrialization had a significant impact on the environment, including pollution and deforestation.

Imperialism

• Imperialism is the policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, diplomacy, or military force.
• European powers sought colonies for economic, strategic, and political reasons.
• The "Scramble for Africa" (late 19th century) saw European powers rapidly colonize the African continent.
• The Berlin Conference (1884-1885) regulated European colonization and trade in Africa.
• British imperialism in India was characterized by economic exploitation and political control.
• The British East India Company initially controlled much of India.
• The Sepoy Rebellion (1857) was a major uprising against British rule.
• India became a British colony under direct rule.
• China faced increasing foreign influence and control in the 19th century.
• The Opium Wars (1839-1842, 1856-1860) were fought between Britain and China over the opium trade.
• China was forced to sign unequal treaties that granted concessions to foreign powers.
• The Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) was an anti-foreign uprising in China.
• Japan industrialized rapidly during the Meiji Restoration (1868-1912).
• Japan became an imperial power, expanding its influence in Asia.
• Imperialism led to resistance movements in colonized areas.
• Nationalism became a powerful force in both Europe and the colonized world.

Key Concepts

• Enlightenment: Emphasized reason, individualism, and human rights.
• Revolution: A fundamental change in political power or organizational structures.
• Industrialization: The development of industries in a country or region on a wide scale.
• Imperialism: A policy of extending a country's power and influence through colonization, diplomacy, or military force.
• Nationalism: Identification with one's own nation and support for its interests, especially to the exclusion or detriment of the interests of other nations.
• Social Contract: An implicit agreement among the members of a society to cooperate for social benefits, for example by sacrificing some individual freedom for state protection.
• Separation of Powers: An act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.
• Natural Rights: Rights that all people are born with, such as the right to life, liberty, and property.
• Mass Production: The manufacture of large quantities of standardized products, often using assembly line technology.
• Urbanization: The process of making an area more urban.
• Labor Unions: An organized association of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.
• Colonialism: The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country, occupying it with settlers, and exploiting it economically.
• Unequal Treaties: Treaties signed between Western powers and other nations (particularly China) during the 19th and early 20th centuries that were highly disadvantageous to the latter.