Atlantic Revolutions Introduction

1
Atlantic Revolutions Introduction

• American, French, Haitian,
• Latin American
• The Atlantic Revolutions

2
Common Themes

• European absolutist and/or colonial governments
  were challenged by people who wanted greater
  democracy
• Usually, a growing middle class of people were
  behind the call for change
• Huge changes in social and political structures
  resulted (but most often the changes were NOT as
  revolutionary as we think they were!)
• 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 (Simon Bolivar in Latin America)

3
American Independence

• Overall Causes
• British colony
• Frustrated by mercantilist policies of the
  British govt (econ exploitation of colonies)
• Middle/Upper class wanted a voice in govt
• Helped by French military (b/c France hated
  Britain)
• End Results
• Independent from Britain in 1783
• Limited democracy with strong checks on the
  peoples power

4
French Revolution

• Overall Causes
• French govt bankrupt
• Middle class wanted a say in govt (Ancien Regime
  was viewed as unjust) weak King Louis XVI
• 2 Main Phases
• Moderate Phase (Constitutional Monarchy) BUT
  France was invaded by foreign governments a
  crazy mob mentality developed
• Radical Phase (cut off Kings head, tried to
  implement true democracy)
• End Results
• Dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte (1799-1815)
  b/c France just wanted stability again!

5
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 during the Radical Phase of their own
  revolution, slaves revolted in their colony
• End Results
• Independence from France in 1804
• Toussaint LOuverture (former slave) became
  dictator
• Corrupt dictator-filled Haitian govt today

6
Latin American

• Overall Causes
• Spanish Portuguese colonies
• Frustrated by mercantilist policies (econ
  exploitation)
• Middle/Upper class wanted a voice in govt
• 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