Effects of the American &
French Revolution
Europe
Latin America
The French Revolution
 More fundamental and profound
consequences than the American
Revolution
 France = most powerful and populous state
in Europe
 Massive social revolution
 Creates political consciousness among people
 Worldwide impact
 Becomes model for future revolutions
Declaration of the Rights of Man—
August 27, 1789
 Men are born free and equal
 All governments should protect




life, liberty and property.
Liberty is the freedom to do that
which injures no one else;
Law is based on the general will
[not the king’s will]
Rulers answer to the people.
Rights include Freedom of
Speech, Religion and Press.
Liberty
Equality
 The notion of individual 
human rights
 Government in which

the people are
sovereign

 The importance of a
representative
assembly
 The importance of a
written constitution
 The notion of selfdetermination
 Freedom to
accumulate property
Equality of rights and civil
liberties
Equality before the law
No special privileges for
the rich
 Equality of opportunity
 “Careers Open to Talent”
Liberty Leading the People, 1830
Nationalism
The unique cultural identity of a people based
on
common language,
common religion &
Common national symbols.
Napoleon teaches Europe how to rally around
a patriotic cause
Congress of Vienna (1815)
 Kings meet to restore the status quo
 They restore Europe to approx. 1789 borders,
 Agree to support each other & the status quo
 Agree to keep balance of power among the states
 This WORKED !!! They kept the peace
between themselves for 100 years
 But they under-estimated the tidal wave of
political revolution
Toussaint L’Ouveture
Leads a Revolution
in Haiti (1804)
• 100,000 slaves revolt
against the French and WIN
• Haiti becomes the 1st
independent state in Latin
America
South American
Revolutions
 By 1800, S.A. is
controlled mostly by
Spain & Portugal
 Simon Bolivar and
others lead successful
revolutions
 After 35 years, South
America is almost
completely free from
European control
Louisiana
Purchase
(1803)
 Napoleon is short
on cash due to war
 Napoleon offers to sell all French holdings in
N. America to the U.S. for $15 million (cheap!)
 Jefferson agrees & Doubles the size of the US
 US now owns land from Atlantic to Pacific.
 America will turn this land into wealth and
power – Thank you French Revolution !!!!
War of 1812
 England is fighting Napoleon
 English military ships begin kidnapping
American merchant sailors as new
“recruits.”
 Eventually, U.S. declares war on
England to protect its merchant sailors.
 U.S. wins! England stops kicking us
around.
Revolutionary Movements in
Early 19c Europe (1820’s & 30’s)
Fail
Success
 France
 Spain^
 Sicily^
 Greece*
 Russia
 Serbia*
 Poland*
 Belgium*
Ltd monarch for Bourgeoisie
*These
people arefail
breaking
away
from
rulers that
^These
Revolutions
because
other
European
do not share
a language,
Monarchs
help crush
them. religion
Greece and
and culture
Serbia .
They are
drivenno
byone
Nationalism
trying
create
succeed
because
wants to -help
thetoMuslim
a new Empire
national identity.
Ottoman
Revolutions of Unification
ITALY (1831-1832)
 This revolt was an
attempt to unify
northern Italy.
 Austrian troops
invade the northern
provinces and the
revolt is suppressed.
GERMANY (1830-33)
 Germans upset
restricted freedom.
 Metternich especially
frightened by talk of
nationalistic interests
 He uses the Congress
system to put the revolt
down.
Both revolutions are an attempt to unify people with
common language, religion and culture
1848
Virtually every Major European country has a
revolution starting with
France
(again !!!!)
(this the Revolution of “Les Mis”)
 They oust the king, but have no clear agreement
on how to run a Republic.
 All men are given the vote.
 1852 – 97% promptly elect Napoleon III as
Emperor.
 With the apparent success of this French
Revolution, every rebel in Europe is inspired
25 revolutions and 5 peaceful reform movements
1848 – the Aftermath
 Most fail outright, due to help from
neighboring monarchs
 Those that succeed are temporary
 Like the French Republic, the victors are
ineffective leaders
 NOBODY knows how to run a republic!
 Soon, every monarchy is back in power.
 BUT nothing will ever be the same again
Legacy of the French Revolution
1. People gain a sense of Liberty, Equality and
Nationalism and they are willing to get involved.
2. Latin America is free from European Control
3. America controls most of North America.
4. As long as European Monarchs work together,
they keep the status quo
5. Constitutional monarchy is on the rise and divine
right is disappearing.
6. These failed revolutions left a seething,
unsatisfied working class.
Final score
out of 50 Revolutions
18
32
But the seeds of liberty
have been planted
Submitted for your
consideration
Why, after 65 years and 3 Bloody
Revolutions, did the French public elect
Napoleon III to be emperor?