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Explore the transformative forces that drove the American and French Revolutions in the West. From Enlightenment ideals to social upheavals, discover how key events, leaders, and ideologies shaped the course of history. Follow the journey from rebellion to constitutional government, Reign of Terror to Napoleon's rule, and Congress of Vienna's aftermath. Uncover the roles of Conservatives, Liberals, and Radicals in shaping modern societies. Experience the echoes of a revolutionary era that continue to influence our world today.
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Revolutions in the West Chapter 23
The Age of Revolution -3 Forces in Europe • Cultural – Enlightenment thinkers called for religious freedom, aristocratic reform, and democracy • Commercialization – stirred the economy, new merchant class challenged aristocrats, promoted technology in production • Population Revolution – ceased movement of disease, improved nutrition, decrease in the death rate
American Revolution • 1775, rebellion of British colonies • Taxes, Stamp Act • Declaration of Independence • Based on Enlightenment principles • 1789 – Constitutional government based on checks and balances
French Revolution • French Revolution, 1789, shaped all of western Europe • Enlightenment thinkers – limit Catholic Church, aristocracy, monarchy • Middle class • Peasantry • French government was unwilling to change • 1787-1789, economic slump, bad harvests • King Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates-General, Parliament to talk of reform
July 14, 1789 Bastille Day • Bastille prison stormed by angry Parisians • Estates-General became the National Assembly • Declaration of the Rights of Man • freedom of thought • Natural rights “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression” • Banning of Manorialism • Catholic Church attacked • Birth of a new constitution – freedom of religion, press, and property • Strong parliament was created to limit power of the king
Reign of Terror “Let them eat cake” • Monarchies of Britain, Prussia, and Austria opposed this reform • Radical takeover who abolished the monarchy • King Louis XVI took a trip to the guillotine, with his wife • Execution of several thousand radical enemies • If you looked at a radical wrong, it could cost you your head
Maximillien Robespierre • Enlightenment lawyer • Led execution of King Louis XVI • Took over leadership of the government • “Cult of the Supreme Being” • Called for a purge of moderate leaders – he was the one who lost his head
Who could now restore order?A bold, short, French military officer?Will the Revolution fall into reversal?
Napoleon Bonaparte • 1799, coup d’etat, government takeover • Upheld religious freedom, equality of men and women • Napoleonic Code – improvement on education, banking, and the legal system • Expansion abroad • 1807, Napoleon ruled largest empire since the Romans • 1812 invasion of Russia…brrrrrrrrrr….failed • Exiled in Elba, only to return for the famous Hundred Days • Legacy – revolutionary legislation
Congress Of Vienna • 1815 • Efforts to reach a peace settlement in France • Strong powers were set up around France – Germany, Piedmont • Britain gained new territories • Russia got a part of Poland • Stability fro 50 years • Idea was to restore French monarchy and unify the church and kings of Europe
Conservatives • Advocated restoration of the monarchy • Defended the Church • Opposed revolutionary goals
Liberals • Stressed limited state interference in individual life • Urged importance of constitutional rule and parliaments • Protection of religion, press, and assembly • Middle class • Economic reform + better education = industrial growth
Radicals • Advocated broader voting rights than liberals • Outright democracy • Social reform for the lower classes (communism)