The Road to the
Atlantic
Revolutions
th
th
15 – 18 centuries
1. The Renaissance
G 1350-1500
G “rebirth” of classical
learning associated
with the Italian citystates
G Renaissance
humanism put
emphasis on the
greatness of man &
led to a growing
secularism in society.
2. Protestant Reformation
G Massive schism in Western Christendom
(16th c.)
G Encouraged skepticism toward authority
& tradition
3. The Scientific Revolution
G Mid-16th c. through
early 18th c.
G Fundamentally
altered ideas about
the place of
humankind w/in the
universe
G Knowledge & truth
could be derived
through the
scientific method
4. The Age of “Enlightenment”
G a.k.a. Age of Reason (18th c.)
G Scientific methods could be used to discover
natural laws that govern human society
G Gave birth to the ideas of the “individual”, human
rights & liberties, and the notion of progress.
“DARE
TO
KNOW!”
ECHOES
of
the Atlantic
Revolutions
What is an Ideology?
G Ideology  sets of political ideas or
philosophies that take root so firmly
that political action of some sort or
another follows
G The Atlantic Revolutions gave birth to
three new political ideologies that
would echo throughout the 19th c. and
beyond…
 Nationalism
 Liberalism
 Conservatism
19th c. Ideologies of Change
1. Nationalism  Idea that humans are divided
into separate nations, each with a distinct
culture & territory & deserving an
independent political life.
2. Liberalism  political philosophy originally
based largely on Enlightenment principles,
holding that people should be as free as
possible from gov’t restraint & that civil
liberties – the basic rights of all people –
should be protected.
3. Conservativism  political philosophy based
on tradition & social stability, favoring
obedience to political authority & organized
religion.
“Third of May 1808” by Goya
American Women’s Suffrage Parade,
1912
Echoes of Revolution
1. The Abolition of Slavery

Largely ended around world (1780-1890)

Reasons  fear of rebellion, economic
inefficiency, & moral concerns

Little improvement in economic lives of former
slaves (ex. sharecroppers in the U.S.)

Large #’s of indentured servants from India &
China imported to work on plantations.
2. Feminist Beginnings

Feminist movement developed in 19th c.

Focused mostly on suffrage by 1870s

Women had gained more opportunities in
education & rights to property & divorce (1900)

Led to discussion of role of women in society