Atlantic Revolutions
Introduction
American, French, Haitian, & Latin
American =
The Atlantic Revolutions
Common Threads
• European absolutist and/or colonial
governments were challenged
• Usually, the rising middle class people
were behind the call for change
• Huge changes in social and political
structures resulted
• 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 (Latin America
American
• Overall Causes:
• British colony
• Frustrated by mercantilist policies (econ
exploitation)
• Middle/Upper class wanted a voice in gov’t
• Helped by French military (b/c France
hated Britain)
• End Results:
• Independent from Britain in 1781
• Limited democracy
• Republic
French Revolution
•Overall Causes:
•French gov’t bankrupt
•middle class wanted a say in gov’t (Ancien
Regime was viewed as unjust)
•2 Main Phases
• Moderate Phase (Constitutional Monarchy)
BUT France was invaded by foreign governments
& a crazy “mob mentality” developed
• Radical Phase (cut off King’s head, tried to
implement full democracy)
• End Results
•Dictatorship under Napoleon Bonaparte (17991815)
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, slaves revolted
• End Results
• Independence from France in 1804
• Toussaint L’Ouverture (former slave)
became dictator and set the precedent for
corrupt & dictator-filled Haitian gov’t today
Latin American
• Overall Causes
• Spanish & Portuguese colonies
• Frustrated by mercantilist policies (econ
exploitation)
• Middle/Upper class wanted a voice in gov’t
• 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