The Atlantic Revolutions

The North American Revolution (1775-1787):

-Struggle for independence from oppressive British rule

-Launched with the Declaration of Independence in 1776

-Military victory in 1781

The French Revolution (1789-1815):

-French government aided the Americans in an effort to undermine British rivals

-Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen: "Men are born and remain free and equal in rights"

-Driven by sharp conflicts within french society

-Violent and radical

-Laid foundation for modern feminism 

 

The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804):

-Made up about 500,000 slave labor force ----> 40,000 slave owners

-Inspired by the French Revolution

-Meant different things to different people

  -rich white landowners: greater autonomy for the colony and fewer economic restrictions on trade.

  -Petits blancs: sought equality of citizenship for all whites

-Slaves took over

-"Freedom" in Haiti meant end of slavery rather than the establishment of political rights for all

Spanish American Revolution (1808-1825):

-Spanish and portuguese colonies 

-Whites in Latin America were outnumbered by Native Americans

-"Political change could easily get out of hand and was fraught with danger to themselves."

-"Imperial state was destroyed in Spanish America"

3 Major Revolutions:

-Abolitionists sought to end slavery 

-Nationalists hoped to foster unity and independence from foreign rule

-Feminists challenged male dominance