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Revolution

Revolution
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From 1775 to 1848 there were many revolutions throughout the world. Some fought for their personal liberties, while others sought to end slavery within their nations. What inspired these revolutions? What did they have in common? Which ones were successful? Let's answer those questions and more!

Revolutions: A Definition

Revolutions happen when the functions and roles of a government are quickly and drastically changed. This means one form of government was rapidly replaced with another. They tended to have a few things in common. They are caused when elites aren't pleased, when the state is in crisis, when the masses are frustrated, and when people have shared motivations.

Before we can look at different revolutions, their impacts, and inspirations, we first must look at the people who inspired them. Many revolutions were inspired by the political philosophers of the Age of Enlightenment. We won't be able to look at all of them, but let's tackle three of the most influential.

Thomas Hobbes was an English philosopher who wrote the Leviathan. He believed that people were naturally greedy and evil. The government needed to control them or else they would commit crimes.

Revolutions John Locke StudySmarterJohn Locke. Source: Wikimedia.

John Locke, another Englishman, wrote the Two Treaties on Government. He believed that people were naturally good and that they had the right to life, liberty, and property. The government was meant to protect and serve the people, not the other way around. If a government didn't serve the people, then the people could revolt.

Sound familiar? That's because John Locke inspired Thomas Jefferson and the Declaration of Independence!

The last philosopher that we are going to look at is Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This French philosopher believed that everyone was equal. Each person should abide by the rules that they created for themselves. Society would function because everyone would be orderly. Rousseau wrote about these ideals in the Social Construct.

Revolution Timeline

DateRevolution
1381The Peasants Revolt in England
1688 - 1689The Glorious Revolution
1760 - 1840The Industrial Revolution
1765 - 1783The American Revolution
1789 - 1799The French Revolution
1791 - 1804The Haitian Revolution
1911The Chinese Revolution
1917The Russian Revolution
1853 - 1959The Cuban Revolution

The above chart is a timeline of some important revolutions of the modern era.

Revolution Examples in History

Now that we know what a revolution is and who inspired them. Let's take a closer look at two examples of successful revolutions, then one that failed. The successful revolutions will be the Glorious Revolution, the American Revolution, and the Haitian Revolution. One unsuccessful revolution example will be the French Revolution.

The Glorious Revolution

The Glorious Revolution, or the English Revolution, was a major contributor to modern England's system of government. In 1688, Parliament was tired of Catholic rulers. At this point, England was a Protestant nation, but it had a few of Catholic rulers after Charles I married a French, Catholic princess.

In 1688, King James II, a Catholic, led England. James II had a Protestant daughter named Mary II. Parliament invited Mary's husband, William of Orange, to take the throne. William successfully drove James II from England. Before his coronation, Parliament had William and Mary sign the Declaration of Rights.

Revolutions William and Mary StudySmarterMary II and William of Orange.

The declaration specified the rights of the English people. Some of those rights included that the people would elect the legislative body, the king wasn't above the law, and English monarchs had to be Protestant. This was the first revolution in modern history.

American Revolution

The American Revolution was the first revolution in modern history and sparked many others. The French and Indian War was called the Seven Years' War in Europe. It was fought between the French, partnered with some indigenous people of North America, and the English, plus the American colonists.

Revolutions American Revolution StudySmarterAmerican Revolution. Source: Wikimedia.

The English and the colonists won the war and pushed the French further North into the Ohio Valley. The English had even more land to expand the American colonies into. The problem was that the English wanted to make up for the capital lost in the war. Since the war was fought for the colonists, who better to pay it off than the colonists?

George Grenville then Charles Townsend passed legislation for the English royalty that levied new taxes against the colonists. Some of these included the Revenue Act (1764), the Stamp Act (1765), and the Tea Act (1773). The colonists didn't have representation in Parliament, which meant that they were taxed without representation.

AP exams will not want specific details about the Revolutionary War's battles and events. Focus instead on the key events that sparked it and the outcome!

Inspired by Enlightenment philosophers, the elites of the colonists revolted. The elites, like Thomas Jefferson, had the funds to assist in sponsoring the Revolution and the education to understand the Enlightenment thinkers. Philosophies from the Enlightenment were often reserved for the rich who could afford education.

When the colonists won the war, they created the new country of America. The American government had to be created from the ground up. In some aspects, it was similar to the British government. The new American government was also inspired by Enlightenment thinkers, like John Locke.

Haitian Revolution

Saint Domingue, today called Haiti, was a French colony. The other half of the island was called Santo Domingo and was owned by the Spanish. The colonies created profits by cultivating sugar and coffee. These goods were grown and processed by enslaved people.

The French enslavers were especially cruel to the enslaved Black people. This cruelty and the French Revolution made the enslaved people decide to revolt. The island had enslaved Black people and Free People of Color. The Free People of Color were considered free, but they didn't have the same rights as the white people on Saint Domingue. The enslaved people joined forces with the Free People of Color to revolt against their white oppressors.

Revolutions Hattian Revolution StudySmarterHaitian Revolution. Source: Wikimedia.

The Haitian Revolution was the only successful revolt of enslaved people. It was the first successful Latin American revolution and the second colonized country to gain independence. After the formerly enslaved people won the revolution, they renamed the island Haiti. Haiti was the first nation to outlaw slavery.

Failed Revolutions

Failed revolutions might make one think that the revolution didn't accomplish anything, but this isn't true. A failed revolution might inspire another revolution. What makes a revolution a failure is when it doesn't change the government for the long-term. Let's take a closer look at the French Revolution.

French Revolution

According to English historian Simon Schama, the French Revolution was a failure.1 The French monarchy had massive war debts from the War of Spanish Succession, the Seven Years' War, and the American Revolution. The king needed to raise funds, but the wealthy nobles refused to have spending restrictions. Due to drought and a poor harvest, France suffered from famine. The king called an Estates General, which had the ability to grant the king certain legislative powers.

Estates General

It was made of the three Estates. The First Estate represented the clergy. Some clergy were poor and worked in smaller villages, while others were from noble families. The Second Estate was the noble class. The Third Estate was the largest of all, everyone else.

Each Estate got one vote, that sounds fair, right? Nope! The First and Second Estates, both smaller than the Third, would work to vote together against the Third Estate. Even though the Third Estate represented the majority of the French population, their vote was the smallest.

When the king called the Estates General, the Third Estate felt that the First and Second would team up against them again. The Third Estate was blocked from re-entering the assembly, they left to form their own constitution. On the tennis court, the Third Estate became the National Assembly, and thus was the start of the revolution.

The National Assembly would go on to create the Declaration of the Rights of Man, which was partially inspired by Rousseau. It recognized the natural rights of men, but wasn't intended to include enslaved people. When the Rights of Man declared the rights of men, it referred to white men.

Revolutions French Revolution StudySmarterFrench Revolution, Source: Wikimedia.

The National Assembly wouldn't last, and many of its new legislation would die away once Napoleon Bonaparte took power. This is the reason that many historians, like Shama, consider the French Revolution to be a failure. Unlike the Haitian and American revolutions, the French Revolution didn't establish a lasting government.

Revolutions

Revolutions began for different reasons. Some were started because the elite was displeased with the government. Others came from the mass frustration of the commoners. State crises, like the over-taxation of the poor, could inspire a revolution. Most revolutionaries had a shared motive.

While they had some similar characteristics, each one was different. They were inspired by Enlightenment thinkers like Locke, Hobbes, and Rousseau. The American Revolution was an inspiration for the French Revolution, which went on to inspire the Haitian Revolution. Revolutions, both successful and unsuccessful, changed the course of world history.

Revolution - Key takeaways

  • Revolutions were inspired by Enlightenment Thinkers
  • They are caused when elites aren't pleased with their government, when there are state crises, when the masses are frustrated, and when people have shared motivations.
  • The American Revolution would inspire others
  • The Haitian Revolution was the only successful revolution led by enslaved people

References

  1. Simon Schama, Citizen: A Chronicle of the French Revolution, 1989.

Frequently Asked Questions about Revolution

The first revolution in modern history was the Glorious Revolution. Also known as the British Revolution, this event changed the course of English history. The outcome was a weaker version of the monarchy and a stronger Parliament.

Some examples of revolutions are the American Revolution, French Revolution, and Haitian Revolution. 

Revolutions are caused when elites aren't pleased with their government, when there are state crises, when the masses are frustrated, and when people have shared motivations. 

The purpose of a revolution is to suddenly and drastically change the functions and role of a government. 

Revolutions changed societies because they changed governments, for example, the Haitian Revolution ended slavery in Haiti. The American Revolution ended Britain's control in North America and inspired other revolutions. 

Final Revolution Quiz

Revolution Quiz - Teste dein Wissen

Question

What other revolutions inspired the Haitian Revolution?

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Answer

US independence and the French Revolution inspired the Haitian Revolution.

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What was Haiti's colonial economy based on?

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Sugar and Coffee plantations

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How much of the population were slaves in Haiti before the revolution?

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90%

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Who became the leader of the Haitian Revolution, leading the slave armies?

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Answer

Toussaint Lourveture

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Why did the Haitian Revolutionary forces realign with France?

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The French promised to end slavery if they helped them defeat the Spanish and British forces on the island.

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Why did Napoleon send troops to Haiti?

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He wanted to rebuild the colony as part of the French Empire, including restoring white rule.

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How did Toussaint Louverture die?

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He was captured by the French and sent to France where he died in prison.

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Who became the leader of the Haitian Revolution after Lourverture's death?

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Jacques Dessalines

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What factors explained the French army's defeat?

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Diseases such as yellow fever and successful guerrilla tactics by independence forces.

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What was the name of the French colony in Haiti?

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Saint-Domingue

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Why did Haiti adopt the name Haiti after independence?

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It was the indigenous name for the island before coloniazation.

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How did the Haitian Revolution impact the Louisiana Purchase?

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With French forces unable to control Haiti, Napoleon decided to give up the idea of an empire in the Americas, selling the colony of Louisiana to the US.

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Toussaint Louverture was born a slave but later became free.

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True

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Toussaint Louverture fought against what 3 empires?

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France, Spain, and Britain

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Toussaint Louverture did what during the Haitian Revolution?

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He first joined the armies as a doctor but quickly became a leading general and later governor of the colony.

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Why did Toussaint earn the nickname Louverture?

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His skills as a military tactician, known for finding openings in the enemy's lines.

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Why did Napoleon decide to remove Louverture?

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Naploeon wanted to rebuild France's empire in the Caribbean and he thought Louverture's leadership of the colony was a threat to doing so.

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Why had Louverture been willing to ally with the French against the Spanish and British?

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They had promised to permanently end slavery.

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Why can Louverture's time as governor be considered as important for Haiti's independence?

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He ruled the colony as practically independent, signing a new constiution.

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How did Toussaint Louverture die?

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He was imprisoned by the French and died in prison from illness.

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When did Haiti become independent?

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Haiti became independent on January 1, 1804, about 8 months after Louverture's death.

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Who led the final struggle for independence after Lourverture's capture and death?

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Jacques Dessalines

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Jean Jacques Dessalines was born into slavery.

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True

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Jean Jacques Dessalines was treated well by his owners.

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True

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What leader did Jean Jacques Dessalines serve under in the Haitain Revolution?

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Toussaint Louverture

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Why was Dessalines given the nickname of "the Tiger?"

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He was a fierce military leader.

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Why did Dessalines resume fighting the French in 1803?

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He believed they intended to reintroduce slavery and white rule.

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When did Dessalines declare Haiti's independence?

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On January 1, 1804.

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Why was Jean Jacques Dessalines considered a brutal ruler?

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He instituted forced labor on the plantations and killed many white landowners.

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Which of Dessalines's former allies rebelled against him?

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Alexandre Petión and Henri Christophe

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How did Jean Jacques Dessalines die?

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He was killed in an ambush by rebel forces.

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What happened after Dessalines's death?

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Haiti entered into civil war.

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What are Labor Unions?

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A labor union in the terms of employment is an organization formed with the intent to use collective bargaining to improve working conditions.

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Are Labor Unions active today?

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Yes, there are international labor unions that represent tradesmen across the globe.

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What other issues do Labor Unions work to improve?

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The UAW is known for endeavors outside of the workplace, with efforts in advancing Civil Rights, Medicare, The Fair Housing Act as well as others. 

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Is there more than one type of labor union?

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In Europe, a labor union is traditionally a political activism group. 

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Were labor unions successful in the 1800s?

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Labor Unions were a direct response to the industrial revolution and the resulting working conditions.

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What United States legislation banned "closed shops"?

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The Taft-Harley Act of 1947.

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What are "right to work" laws?

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In order to prevent unions from functioning some state governments pass laws that negate the requirement for workers to register with their relevant union in order to work. 

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How do proponents of "Right to Work" laws promote their views to workers?

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Answer

The proponents of "Right to Work" laws state that these laws allow workers to be free of required union affiliation and should  individually bargain.

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The Industrial Revolution changed Europe and America socially, economically, and culturally. 

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Answer

True.

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Where did the Industrial Revolution begin?

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Answer

Great Britain.

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Question

What period of conflict in the early 19th century predated the New Zealand Wars?

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Answer

The Musket Wars.

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Which treaty was concluded between the British and Māori people in 1840?

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Answer

The Treaty of Waitangi.

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What did the Treaty of Waitangi entail?

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It protected Māori ownership of land and property but gave Britain exclusive buying rights to land and the Māori had to become British subjects.

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What was the Wairau Affray in 1843?

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Answer

The first armed conflict between European settlers and Māori tribesmen.

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What is the Māori word for a tribal chief or leader?

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Answer

Rangatira.

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What motivated Hōne Heke and Te Ruki Kawiti's rebellion?

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Answer

Grievances concerning the Treaty of Waitangi.

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Which Māori chief sided with the British during the Flagstaff War?

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Answer

Tāmati Wāka Nene.

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What punishment did the defeated Māori leaders receive in the peace ending the Flagstaff war?

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Answer

They were not punished.

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