Enlightenment and Revolutions 1750-1900

Measurement Topic 1: Revolutions

• The Enlightenment
• Nationalism and Revolutions in the Period from 1750 to 1900 Empire
• Industrial Revolution Begins
• Industrialization Spreads in the Period from 1750 to 1900

The Enlightenment

• Provided the intellectual basis for various revolutions.
• Reason was emphasized over tradition.
• Enlightenment thinkers focused on rational thought and empirical evidence as primary knowledge sources.
• Scientific methods were extended to social studies.
• Traditional religious authority faced challenges, with philosophers advocating personal interpretation and belief systems like deism and atheism.
• The concept of natural rights emerged, asserting individuals possess inherent rights that governments must respect and protect.
• The idea that governments exist to serve the people was proposed.
• Governments can be overthrown if rights are not protected, becoming a cornerstone of Enlightenment thought.
• Enlightenment ideas catalyzed significant political upheavals.
• These upheavals led to the American, French, Haitian, and Latin American revolutions.
• Early feminist movements surged, with women demanding equal rights, including the right to vote.
• These movements show the period’s broader calls for equality.
• The Enlightenment was a transformative period redefining human understanding.
• Enlightenment thinkers laid the intellectual foundation for modern democracy and social justice movements by emphasizing reason, individual rights, and the social contract.
• There was an ongoing quest for equality among all individuals.
• The impact of these ideas resonates today, emphasizing critical thought and knowledge pursuit in shaping a just society.

Historical Artifact Analysis - The Tricolor Cockade

• The tricolor cockade was a unifying symbol of the French Revolution, representing liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• The tricolor cockade, with blue, white, and red bands, became a symbol of the French Revolution unity and aspirations for liberty, equality, and fraternity.
• It was Initially worn by members of the National Guard.
• The tricolor cockade quickly spread among revolutionaries.
• It became a unifying symbol for the movement

Jigsaw Activity on Revolutions

• Divide students into four expert groups.
• Each group concentrates on a specific revolution: American, French, Haitian, or Latin American.
• Students research their assigned revolution, focusing on causes, key figures, and outcomes.
• Students share findings from the expert groups in their original groups.
• Similarities and differences between the revolutions are analyzed through discussion.
• Identification of common themes and the impact of Enlightenment ideas are identified.

Nationalism and Revolutions (1750 to 1900)

• A powerful sense of common identity influenced revolutions and the quest for self-governance.
• Widespread dissatisfaction with imperial authority pushed people to pursue revolutionary change.
• Philosophers like Locke and Rousseau inspired revolutionary thought, advocating for popular sovereignty and democracy.
• Concepts introduced included natural rights, social contracts, and government authority from the consent of the governed.
• These ideas permeated revolutionary rhetoric and documents, shaping the goals and justifications for upheaval against existing political systems.

American Revolution

• Sparked by British taxation and Enlightenment principles.
• It established a republican model for future revolutions.

French Revolution

• A direct response to absolutism.
• Natural rights and popular sovereignty was emphasized impacting global revolutionary movements.

Haitian Revolution

• The first successful slave-led revolution.
• Established Haiti as the first black republic.
• Influenced other liberation movements.

Latin American Revolutions

• Fueled by Enlightenment ideas and Creole discontent.
• These revolutions led to the independence of numerous colonies from Spanish rule.
• Nationalism, discontent with authority, and Enlightenment ideals fueled revolutionary movements across the Atlantic world.
• Each revolution, while distinct in context and outcomes, shares themes of seeking self-determination and challenging oppressive structures.
• Legacies of these revolutions continue to resonate in contemporary discussions about governance, rights, and national identity.

Industrial Revolution Beginnings

• The Industrial Revolution was a pivotal transition in global history, shifting societies from agrarian economies to industrialized ones.
• Goods production significantly changed from handcrafting to mechanized manufacturing.
• It began in Great Britain around 1750.
• It was driven by geographical advantages, agricultural innovations, urban migration, and legal protections for entrepreneurs.
• Great Britain's proximity to waterways facilitated efficient goods transport, crucial for industrialization.
• The abundance of coal and iron in Britain powered the initial phases of the Industrial Revolution.
• This abundance enabled the production of machinery and infrastructure.
• Britain's expansive empire provided access to raw materials from colonies, enhancing its industrial capabilities.
• Improvements in farming techniques and the introduction of new crops increased food production, supporting a growing population.
• Mechanization in agriculture resulted in a mass movement of workers to urban areas, supplying labor for factories.
• Laws safeguarding private property allowed entrepreneurs to invest in industrial ventures, fostering innovation.
• Wealth accumulated from trade, including the slave trade, provided the financial resources necessary for industrial investment.
• This was complex transformation that reshaped economies, societies, and political landscapes.
• The interplay of geographical advantages, resource availability, agricultural advancements, urban migration, legal frameworks, and capital accumulation created a unique environment in Britain.
• This environment catalyzed this monumental shift

Industrialization Spreads (1750-1900)

• The steam engine dramatically changed industrialization by letting factories be built anywhere, not just near water.
• Industrialized nations increased their part of global manufacturing.
• The world saw a change in economic power.
• France began industrializing post-Napoleon due to limited resources.
• France gradually developed a cotton industry and railroads.
• The U.S. industrialized quickly after the Civil War due to abundant resources and a growing population.
• This led to a prosperous economy.
• Russia industrialized under an absolutist regime, leading to significant projects like the Trans-Siberian Railroad but saw worker uprisings.
• Japan responded to Western pressures by rapidly industrializing during the Meiji Restoration, becoming a major power in Asia.
• Countries like India and Egypt saw declines in their traditional industries due to mass-produced goods from industrial nations.