Winds of Change: Age of Revolutions
The Age of Revolutions analyzes major political and social upheavals from the late 18th to early 19th centuries, including the American, French, Haitian, and Latin American revolutions. These movements challenged monarchies, colonial powers, and social hierarchies, driven by Enlightenment ideas of liberty and equality, reshaping nations and inspiring global demands for freedom and self-governance.
Timeline of Age of Revolutions
This section outlines the key phases of these revolutionary movements. Here’s the breakdown:
- American Revolution (1775-1783): Colonies fight for independence from Britain.
- French Revolution (1789-1799): Overthrow of monarchy, rise of radical change in France.
- Haitian Revolution (1791-1804): Enslaved Africans revolt, creating the first Black-led republic.
- Latin American Revolutions (1808-1833): Independence movements against Spanish and Portuguese rule.
Key Figures and Events
This section highlights the main individuals and pivotal moments that shaped this era:
- George Washington (1775-1783): Led the Continental Army to victory in the American Revolution.
- Declaration of Independence (1776): American colonies declared freedom from Britain.
- Maximilien Robespierre (1793-1794): Key figure in the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.
- Storming of the Bastille (1789): Symbolic start of the French Revolution, attacking the monarchy.
- Toussaint Louverture (1791-1804): Led the Haitian Revolution, abolishing slavery in Haiti.
- Simón Bolívar (1810-1825): Liberator of South America, led independence in multiple nations.
Examples of Age of Revolutions
American Revolution (1775-1783) Examples
- The Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775 marked the start of armed conflict.
- The Treaty of Paris in 1783 officially ended the war, recognizing U.S. independence.
- The revolution inspired democratic ideals, influencing the U.S. Constitution in 1787.
French Revolution (1789-1799) Examples
- The Tennis Court Oath in 1789 united revolutionaries to create a new constitution.
- The execution of Louis XVI in 1793 ended the monarchy, establishing a republic.
- The Napoleonic Code of 1804 spread revolutionary legal reforms across Europe.
Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) Examples
- Enslaved Africans burned plantations in 1791, launching a rebellion against French rule.
- Haiti declared independence in 1804, becoming the first nation led by former slaves.
- The revolution inspired other anti-slavery movements, alarming colonial powers.
Latin American Revolutions (1808-1833) Examples
- Simón Bolívar’s campaigns liberated Venezuela and Colombia by 1821, earning him the title “The Liberator.”
- Mexico gained independence in 1821 after Miguel Hidalgo’s 1810 call for rebellion.
- Brazil achieved independence from Portugal in 1822, led by Pedro I, with less violence.