Atlantic Revolutions Introduction American French Haitian Latin American

Common Threads • European absolutist and/or colonial governments were challenged • Usually, the rising

American • Overall Causes: • British colony • Frustrated by mercantilist policies (econ exploitation)

French Revolution • Overall Causes: • French gov’t bankrupt • middle class wanted a

Haitian Revolution • Overall Causes • Most Haitians were slaves (more than 90% of

Latin American • Overall Causes • Spanish & Portuguese colonies • Frustrated by mercantilist

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Atlantic Revolutions Introduction American, French, Haitian, & Latin American = The Atlantic Revolutions

Common Threads • European absolutist and/or colonial governments were challenged • Usually, the rising middle class people were behind the call for change • Huge changes in social and political structures resulted • All were inspired by Enlightenment thinkers • All created important documents – Declaration of Independence (USA) – Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (France) – Jamaica Letter (Latin America

American • Overall Causes: • British colony • Frustrated by mercantilist policies (econ exploitation) • Middle/Upper class wanted a voice in gov’t • Helped by French military (b/c France hated Britain) • End Results: • Independent from Britain in 1781 • Limited democracy • Republic

French Revolution • Overall Causes: • French gov’t bankrupt • middle class wanted a say in gov’t (Ancien Regime was viewed as unjust) • 2 Main Phases • Moderate Phase (Constitutional Monarchy) BUT France was invaded by foreign governments & a crazy “mob mentality” developed • Radical Phase (cut off King’s head, tried to implement full democracy) • End Results • Dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte (17991815)

Haitian Revolution • Overall Causes • Most Haitians were slaves (more than 90% of the population) • The French Revolution occurred “back home” (Haiti was a French sugar colony) • While France was busy with foreign invasions and mob rule, slaves revolted • End Results • Independence from France in 1804 • Toussaint L’Ouverture (former slave) became dictator and set the precedent for corrupt & dictator-filled Haitian gov’t today

Latin American • Overall Causes • Spanish & Portuguese colonies • Frustrated by mercantilist policies (econ exploitation) • Middle/Upper class wanted a voice in gov’t • Fought wars of liberation led by Creole generals Bolivar & San Martin • End Results • Independence • No single nation formed (as in USA) • Attempted democracy, but upper class creoles held onto power/wealth at expense of the poor