Enlightenment Ideas and American Revolution

Enlightenment Ideas

• Enlightenment challenged traditional authority, advocated individual rights, and promoted democracy.
• Key philosophers and their ideas:
  • John Locke: Natural rights (life, liberty, property); government responsible for protecting them or be overthrown.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau: Social contract; government rules with people's consent.
  • Voltaire: Freedom of speech and religious tolerance.
  • Montesquieu: Separation of powers in government (checks and balances).
  • Mary Wollstonecraft: Early feminist; women deserve education and rights.
  • Adam Smith: Laissez-faire economics; government shouldn't interfere with businesses (foundation for capitalism).
• Enlightenment was analogous to a modern social movement (e.g., "woke Twitter").

American Revolution (1776-1783)

• Colonists fought for representation and freedom from British taxation.
• Events included the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and a successful war against Britain with help from France, resulting in U.S. independence.
• The revolution influenced subsequent revolutions worldwide.

French Revolution (1789-1799)

• France's economic troubles, aristocratic inequality, and a weak monarchy caused unrest.
• Events included the storming of the Bastille (symbol of oppression), the Reign of Terror (Robespierre's rule), and Napoleon Bonaparte's rise to power.
• The revolution influenced Haitian and Latin American revolutions.

Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)

• Enslaved people in Haiti rebelled against French planters who exploited them.
• Toussaint Louverture led the revolution against French troops.
• Haiti successfully won its independence in 1804, becoming the first independent Black republic.

Latin American Revolutions (1810-1830s)

• Inspired by the American and French Revolutions, Latin American colonies sought independence from Spain.
• Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín led independence movements across South America.
• By the 1830s, most of Latin America gained independence.

Industrial Revolution (Early 1700s - 1800s)

• Began in Britain due to abundance of natural resources (coal, iron). Stable government, Enclosure Movement, and innovation further spurred its development.
• Key inventions:
  • Steam engine: Powering factories, trains, ships, enabling faster production and global trade.
  • Spinning Jenny: Increased textile production making clothing cheaper and more accessible.
  • Interchangeable parts: Standardized machine parts for increased efficiency in factories.

Global Industrialization

• Industrialization spread globally.
  • US: Rapid industrialization due to resources and immigration.
  • Russia: Construction of the Trans-Siberian railway, but industrialization lagged behind.
  • Japan: Meiji Restoration modernized the country and transitioned into an industrial power.
• Industrialization either spurred economic development or exploitation, worldwide.

Capitalism vs. Socialism

• Adam Smith and capitalism: emphasis on laissez-faire economics with rich business owners.
• Karl Marx and Communism: predicted workers would overthrow capitalists.

Arbeiter (Working) Class Response to Industrialization

• Labor unions emerged to advocate for better wages, working conditions, and reduced working hours.
• Socialist and Communist movements gained support as workers fought against exploitation and abuse.
• Reform movements pushed for governmental regulation to improve conditions for workers.

Social Hierarchies and the Industrial Revolution

• Middle class emerged as factory owners and merchants prospered.
• The working class faced hardships with long hours, low wages, and often dangerous or exploitative conditions.
• Women joined the workforce, yet were often expected to continue their traditional domestic duties.
• Abolitionist movements brought about the end of slavery, impacting social hierarchies.

Governmental Responses to Economic and Social Change

• Ottoman Empire: Initially attempted modernization through Tanzimat Reforms; however, these efforts did not succeed.
• China: Implemented the Self-Strengthening Movement as a form of modernization; however, this was ultimately unsuccessful.
• Japan: Meiji Restoration successfully transformed Japan into a modernized industrial power.

Summary of Unit 5 (1750-1900)

• Enlightenment ideas sparked revolutions aimed at freedom, democracy, and individual rights.
• Industrialization revolutionized the economy creating factories, capitalism, and urbanization.
• Individuals & groups challenged the negative aspects of industrialization bringing about socialism, communism, and labor movements.
• Some nations successfully adapted to industrialization while others lagged.