1. Democratic Revolutions

2. 1689
England’s Democracy
In 1750 most empires were ruled by absolute monarchs
England’s system was an exception
In 1689 parliament established a constitutional monarchy during the Glorious Revolution (the rich nobles were scared that the king might make and keep England Catholic again)
Before the revolution, the King ruled England (absolute monarchy).
After the revolution, Parliament ruled England (constitutional monarchy).
The monarch operated under the law and in tandem with the parliament
England’s style of constitutional monarchy became the style of government all European kings would accept

3. Magna Carta “Great Charter” 1215
1st document to limit the King’s powers
King must respect individual (nobles) rights & liberties
Provided for due process of the law and right to a jury trial

4. English Bill of Rights
William & Mary signed it making England a Constitutional Monarchy in 1689
Formal summary of the rights & liberties believed to be essential to the people
Forbid excessive bail & cruel & unusual punishment
Served as an example for America

6. Constitutional Monarchy
The King/Queen was now limited by the English Constitution.
Kings had to share power with Parliament.
Ceremonial Monarchy
Today, the Prime Minister is the most powerful person in England.
She runs Parliament. The Queen is a figurehead.
Theresa May

7. 1776
American Revolution
The 1st revolution where the enlightenment ideas were tried on a large scale.
You know the story: “No taxation without representation”
Results: The idea that a group of colonies could overthrow their “oppressors” and establish – on purpose – a representative government based on the Enlightenment inspired revolutionaries around the world.
How democratic was the United States? You decide!
But, the US had more democratic participation in government than any other nation in the world.

8. American Declaration of Independence
The United States is breaking up with Britain
Written by Jefferson in 1776
Based on Locke & the Enlightenment
Natural Rights-life, liberty & pursuit of happiness
Ended by declaring independence from England
Influenced the French Revolution
Protect the rights of the people

9. U.S. Constitution Supremacy of the law – no one is above the law
Universal suffrage – all can participate and vote
Lasting document
Representative government with 3 branches

10. U.S. Bill of Rights
In order to get the US constitution passed, federalists included a Bill of Rights (1787)
First 10 amendments to the constitution
Protect basic rights such as freedom of speech, press, assembly & religion
Influenced by Voltaire, Rousseau & Locke
Put Enlightenment ideas into action

12. 1776
French Revolution
The French people revolted against their king (not a colonial struggle)
“Liberty, equality, fraternity (brotherhood)”
They attempted a constitutional monarchy, but king was found guilty of treason and was executed by guillotine

13. French Declaration of Rights of Man & Citizen
1789 – Reflected ideals of American Dec of Independence
Protects the rights of the people – free & equal, life, liberty, property, security & resistance to oppression
Guaranteed equal justice freedom of speech and religion
“Life, Equality, Fraternity”

14. French Revolution A “republic” was established
But it was radical, as many as 30,000 people died by guillotine because of overenthusiastic revolutionary leaders
Those leaders were eventually killed and were replaced by a military dictator who restored order, Napoleon Bonaparte (he took power in a coup ‘ d eta)

15. Napoleon Bonaparte He claimed to be a child of the enlightenment
He did enact reforms such as equality before the law
BUT he was not a fan of republics (elected representatives)
Napoleon took much of Europe but was ultimately defeated by a coalition of other European nations including Britain & Russia
The Congress of Vienna reorganized Europe’s boundaries to include several new nations

17. The Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution
In 1794 cane cutters in Haiti rebelled against their French colonial masters.
They were led by former slave Toussaint L’Overture who believed that rights being fought for in France should extend to people in the French colonies.
In 1804 Napoleon’s troops were defeated making Haiti the first successful slave revolt and independent nation in Latin America.

19. Latin American Revolutions
By 1830 the success of the Haitian revolution inspired the rest of Latin America’s colonies to rise up against Spanish & Portuguese rule
Led by upper-class Creole elites – the most famous was Simon Bolivar (became known as the continent’s “liberator.”) – one by one the colonies gained independence through military victories
Creating the decline of Spain as a world power
Latin American countries had an enormous social and economic divide between the few elite and the many poor
Establishing stable governments was difficult for many of the new Latin American nations, including Mexico and Brazil
There was a lack of significant social and economic change for the non-elites

21. Which inspired the American Revolution …
The Enlightenment was inspired by the Greeks & Romans, religion and the English Parliament …
Which inspired the American Revolution …
The American Revolution inspired the French …
The French Revolution catalyzed the people of Haiti …
Their success led to the struggle for independence for all of the Americas …