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Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
Montesquieu's aim in The Spirit of the Laws is to explain human laws and social institutions. -
America declares independence
Congress asked Thomas Jefferson and others to write a
declaration of independence. They needed a document to
declare why the colonies had to become independent of
Britain. -
French Revolution
During the French Revolution, the previous absolute monarchy and the entire social three estate system was overthrown. -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d’etat
It was the take over of the Directory by the three Consuls of France. Napoleon had control over the military and mandated his selection as the First Consul. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire
Napoleon crowned himself Emperor Napoleon I at Notre Dame de Paris. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
Slaves initiated the rebellion in 1791 and by 1803 they had succeeded in ending not just slavery but French control over the colony. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
Mexican independence was set by political and economic changes in Europe and its American colonies of the late 18th and 19th centuries. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
In 1815, twenty five years of war finally came to an end with the surrender of the Emperor Napoleon and his banishment to the Mediterranean island of Elba.
