COT Theses Atlantic Revolutions From 1750 1900 the

COT Theses Atlantic Revolutions � From 1750 -1900, the American Revolution became the first successful revolution to bring about popular sovereignty and democratic constitutionalism, however, the abolition of slavery would take another 75 plus years with the establishment of the 13 th Amendment and women would not be granted the right to vote until the 19 th amendment and all would come about due to the enlightened ideals espoused in the constitution � The French Revolution form 1750 -1900 would undergo a series of repetitious cycles from liberal to radical to conservative, enlightened ideals would be enshrined in constitutions and laws (Code Napoleon) , however the Catholic Church would maintain strong influence and women would struggle with suffrage until after WWI. � The Haitian Revolution 1750 -1900 would see the birth of the first successful slave rebellion and the first constitutionally democratic state in the Caribbean in the Age of Atlantic Revolution, however, due to fear of slave uprisings and institutionalized racism, Haiti's independence will be hindered by crippling debt and lack of Hemispheric diplomacy. � The Latin America Revolutions of 1750 -1900 would see the rise of nationalism and newly independent nation-states throughout Latin America, however, failure of the newly formed constitutional democracies and the crippling war debts incurred from the Revolutions would lead to the rise of the military strong-man known as the caudillos whose interest lie in “foreign” ties and their own self interest rather than liberty and equality. � The Mexican Revolution from 1750 -1900 would see its independence form Spanish control and the establishment of a constitutional democracy , however, the loss of territories to War as well as crippling war debt would see the rise of conservative governments which would exclude women and indigenous populations amongst so many others.

Atlantic Revolutions 1750 -1900 Continuities Changes Native Indigenous populations not included in Constitutions Women remained left out of new governments Great resistance to the abolition of slavery European monarchs still retained some influence and power over their former colonial territories (France goes back to monarchs) Caudillos (military strong men) very similar rule to that of absolute monarchs Nationalism still meets monarchal resistance (Ukraine and Poland with Russia and Ireland with Great Britain) Economic imperialism in Latin America maintains some mercantilist ties with Europe (and U. S) Racism only increases ( now burgeoning new theory known as social Darwinism only reinforces it) Freedoms don’t apply equally to all War debts of revolutions still lead to heavy dependence on stronger economies (mother countries? Popular soveirgnty achieved (U. S, Haiti, France briefly, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Mexico) Constitutions with rights (inspired by enlightenment) establish new nation-states Nationalism spreads throughout Europe leading to independence Greece and Serbia from Ottoman and unification of Italy and Germany. Slowly slavery will be abolished Suffrage will eventually be increased to men and feminism will increase ( including the fight for women’s suffrage) Czechs and Hungarians will demand more rights from Austrian empire European Jews will seek a homeland in Palestine Increased wars between nationalist groups Nationalism perpetuated the notion that a nation’s strength lie in the amount of territory they controlled New imperialism would see the capture of Asian, African and Asian territories (under the principles of social Darwinism and Christianizing, civilizing and commercializing) Nationalism taking on the ideology that nation comes first and can do no wrong (how is this different from patriotism? )

Goals of Revolution �Popular Sovereignty ( independence) freedom from the absolute monarchy with an emphasis on power residing in the many and not the one or few, �Free trade ( Laissez-Faire Capitalism) �Enlightened ideals- freedoms of life, liberty, property, speech, religion etc. �Constitutions which provided a framework for those rights and roles of governmental power.

Effects of Revolution: Did they Achieve their Objectives? � Doc #1 written by Bourgeoisie elite with such enlightened inspired ideals like freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, rights to redress of grievances”. Jefferson added these after returning from France to further the inalienable rights. The purpose of this document was to establish a government of popular sovereignty, develop a better tax code, but limited freedoms to “free persons” and not Indians, slaves, women etc. � This document can be grouped politically, economically, and/or culturally. It may be grouped by cause to the subsequent revolutions or that the objectives were partially fulfilled limited rights, duties and responsibilities to a few and not the many � Remember, these rights and privileges were not extended to women, slaves, native Americans and non -land holding men. Historians often refer to the American Revolution as a Bourgeoisie revolution impacting those specific individuals. It is important to note that Thomas Jefferson would attempt to find scientific differences between races (many framers were slave owners) and the constitution would be put into peril on many occasions( Whiskey rebellion, Louisiana Purchase, etc. )

French Constitution � Document #2 also written by bourgeoisie from the third estate in France establishes the identity and rights of citizenship in France and the rights which are tied to it. The limitations of citizenship appear to be less limited than the United States and include public education, public relief in addition to speech, press and religion. It does not specify slavery (which it had abolished) nor property holders. � This may be grouped politically, economically or culturally. It may also be grouped by far more inclusive than the United States of America which may also help to understand why it was short-lived. Napoleon will take over after the chaos of the radical phase ( which may be grouped juxtaposed against moderate grouping with Doc #1) � Many of these ideas would be extended through Napoleon’s code of Laws throughout Continental France establishing public schools, legion of honor, equal tax system and dissolution of feudalism. The constitution would not be honored as France would go from a republic to Napoleon (strong-man stage 4) and then a monarchy again (Louis XVII) : The Congress of Vienna installed would see this return to the legitimacy of the Monarchs of Europe and a balance of power to bring a semblance of peace to Europe after the Napoleonic wars. Nationalism in France will inspire unification movements in Germany, Italy, Czechoslovakia, Greece and Serbia “When France sneezes, the rest of Europe gets a cold” and will increase France’s imperialistic desires ( which were contradictory in many ways to the constitution).

Haiti’s Constitution � Document #3 is written by a former slave Toussaint L’ouverture and is also inspired by the Revolutionary events in America and France but takes a more moderate approach to ensuring that laborers continue to work on the lucrative sugar plantations. His purpose is to keep the labor in both formerly Saint Dominguez and Spanish-owned portion of the island (Dominican Republic) keep its output and that laborer (although freed) keep working and not remain idle. His audience are the people of the island to instruct them to respect the freed slaves and allow a peaceful transition without tensions between the former slaves and former lave owners. � This proclamation is primarily economic but inspired by the cultural components of the enlightenment. It may be grouped by moderate as it is trying to prevent a radical reaction ( usually reigns of terror) or by direct French inspiration. � While slavery would be abolished in Haiti, neighboring French colonies like Saint Lucia, Martinique as well as the United Stares would maintain slavery due to the lucrative plantation economies and the systemic racism associated with chattel slavery would be perpetuated in foreign policy by Europeans and their lending programs as Haiti’s economy was decimated by war and disease.

Latin American Constitution � Document #4 written by Creole Simon Bolivar in this meeting preceding the Latin American constitution in Angostura wishes to create a government of hereditary legislature instead of the elected one. He seems to be appealing to the British form rather than the North American one perhaps to gain the British support in the Wars against Spain in the Latin American (Bolivarian) Revolutions. He seems suspicious of the gullibility of people in elections. � This can be grouped politically through the role of government and the underpinnings of constitutions. It may also me grouped either moderately or even conservatively through the inherited senate who , by virtue of birth, seem to have legislative power for life � The rise of caudillos and debt to European and later U. S. business interests would see the wealth creole elite gain substantially from these constitutions but indigenous, women, mestizos and Mullatoes would continue to be marginalized and slavery would become abolished slowly seeing an end later in sugar producing nation-states like Cuba and Brazil. Bolivars dream of an Gran Colombia would not be realized but, rather contributing to the nationalist desires, Venezuela, Ecuador and Peru would gain their own sovereignty and their own constitutions.

Mexican Constitution 1824 � Document #5 was written by primarily Catholic creole elites for the purpose of popular sovereignty and an official state religion in addition to providing powers for congress for education and rights like liberty and press. This constitutions purpose was to protect the liberties of a newly independent Mexico and help to promote its independence through competing with former colonial holdings in the region through science, engineering and military. � This can be grouped politically or culturally ( France in document #2 was the only other which identified public education as a right), it can be grouped moderately or even conservatively as the Catholic Church remains a holder although the revolution was led by a priest (Father Miguel Hidalgo) who was killed. � The Mexican Constitution, like many others, did not address land distribution (equitable), widespread poverty, status of Mexican Indians, access to public education, and limitation on the role of the Catholic church. Like Latin America, the caudillo like Iturbide or Santa Anna would see restrictions on these rights in favor of foreign business interests.

�From 1750 -1900 the Revolutions of the Atlantic world worked to developed governments of popular sovereignty providing rights to people through newly established constitutions, establishing a fairer tax code based on further representation in governments and providing rights and liberties to the citizens of the newly formed government. Not all people would enjoy these liberties in all regions nor would these constitutions create lasting governments in every revolution. A document from one of the caudillos in Latin America after the failure of the would provide Latin American Revolutions would help illustrate how nationalism and chaos gained the further support of the military and people.

The Abolition of Slavery � 1780 – 1890 = slavery lost its legitimacy and was largely ended �Multiple strands of anti-slavery thinking: Secular = slavery is a violation of natural rights and the ideas of liberty and equality Religious = slavery is a moral; a “crime in the sight of God” Economic = slavery is not necessary for economic progress; countries can be successful with paid labor Political = slavery is unwise because obviously slaves aren’t content and could rise up and revolt

The Abolition of Slavery �Most powerful abolitionist movements = in Britain �Growing pressure on the government to take action techniques included: Public Meeting Featuring an Abolitionist Speaker Pamphlets featuring descriptions of slavery Petitions to Parliament Lawsuits Boycotts of slave-produced sugar Public meetings most of which featured testimony of former slaves

The Abolition of Slavery � 1807 = Britain ended the sale of slaves within its empire � 1834 = Britain freed all remaining slaves �British naval vessels patrolled the Atlantic, intercepted illegal slave ships, and freed the people on board �Other countries followed suit over the next half century

Resistance to Abolition �Abolition was not easy �Plantation owners = fiercely resisted the efforts of abolitionists �Both European and African slave traders also resisted abolitionists �Most intense resistance to abolition and persistence of slavery = in the southern United States Took a WAR to end slavery!

Effects of Abolition �Economic and political lives of former slaves = did not improve dramatically at all �Often could not find work or found work, but were paid VERY little �No political equality in many places, former slaves couldn’t vote and had to live with harsh segregation laws �Former slaves had to deal with persistent racism, discrimination, and violence

What is a Nation? � A “state” = political territory that does not necessarily coincide with the culture of a certain group of people � For most of world history, people have been organized into great empires or smaller states like this These entities governed culturally diverse societies � A “nation” = has a distinct culture and territory and deserves an independent political life Citizens of a nation = feel connected to their fellows by ties of blood, culture, or common experience Not simply common subjects of a ruling dynasty

What did Nationalism Inspire? � 1871 = the political unification of Italy and Germany �Greeks and Serbs = asserted their independence from the Ottoman Empire �Czechs and Hungarians = demanded more independence within the Austrian Empire �Poles and Ukrainians = became more aware of their oppression within the Russian Empire �Irish = sought separation from Great Britain �European Jews = sought a homeland in Palestine

Results of Nationalism �Intensified rivalries between European states �Fueled a highly competitive drive for colonies in Asia and Africa �One of the leading causes of World War I

Different Versions of Nationalism �“Civic Nationalism” = the nation is a particular territory and people of various cultural backgrounds can assimilate into the dominant culture Example: “becoming American” �Other versions = defined the nation in racial terms, which excluded those who did not share common ancestry Example: Germany expelling all “non. German”, especially Jewish people

Europe around 1880

Feminist Beginnings �Feminist movements took shape mostly in Europe and North America �Believed revolutionary ideas of liberty and equality applied to women also �First organized women’s rights conference = in Seneca Falls, NY in 1848 Leading feminist and speaker = Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Major Goals of the Feminist Movement �Access to schools and universities �Access to more professions �Suffrage (the right to vote) 1893 = New Zealand is the first country to grant all women the right to vote 1920 = 19 th Amendment passed in the U. S. Most countries did not grant female suffrage until after WWI

Some Accomplishments of the Movement �Increased entrance to universities and increasing women’s literacy rates �Many U. S. states passed laws to let women control and manage their own property and wages �Increased access to professions Medicine opened to a few Teaching Social work (invented by Jane Addams) Nursing (professionalized by Florence Nightingale)

Opposition to Feminism �Many viewed feminists as selfish and willing to sacrifice their families and/or the nation in order to pursue individual goals �Some argued: the strains of education and life in the world outside the home would cause reproductive damage What many believed women should keep doing Result: it would depopulate the nation