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Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
Montesquieu was an influential French writer who devoted himself to the study of political liberty. He believed that Britain was the best-governed country because the King held executive power and carried out the laws; the Parliament held legislative power and made the laws; and the judges held judicial power to interpret the laws. This idea was part of his book, On the Spirit of Laws in 1748. He introduced the idea of Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances. -
America declares independence
In July of 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence which was written by Thomas Jefferson. The declaration was based off of the ideas of John Locke and many other Enlightenment thinkers. It stated a land list of King George III's wrongdoings as well as rights that the colonists should have. After the Declaration of Independence was published, Britain and the colonists went to war. The Americans had won and in 1781, they were free from Britain. -
French Revolution
Before the French Revolution, France was split into 3 social classes: the 1st estate, 2nd estate, and 3rd estate. The people of the third estate were angry and wanted a change in government. King Louis XVI was a bed leader. He decided to call for an Estate General but the 3rd estate was locked out. They changed their name to the National Assembly and decided to make a new constitution. Presents thought Louis was going to attack so they stormed the Bastille and the Great Fear swept through France -
French Revolution (continued)
The National Assembly soon came to power and they created the Legislative Assembly which was made up by Radicals, Conservatives. and Moderates. The Jacobins were extreme Radicals and started the National Convention. During this time a war between French and Austria and Prussia has been going on. In 1793, Robespierre and Jacobin leader came to power. He became a dictator and used the guillotine on over 40,000 people. This period was known as the Reign of Terror. -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d’etat
When the Reign of Terror ended and leaders in the National Convention came up with a new plan of government. This plan included having an executive body of 5 men; known as the Directory. Napoleon was born in Corsica but was a general for France who won many battles and when the Directory began to loose power, people urged him to seize power. They then gave control to 3 consuls, one of which was Napoleon. He quickly seized control as a dictator. This sudden seize of power is known as coup d’Etat. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire
In 1800 a plebiscite or vote of the people, was held to approve the new constitution. This new constitution gave Napoleon almost full power so in 1804, he made himself Emperor and the French voters supported him. Napoleon took the crown from the pope and placed it on his own head, showing that he is more powerful than the Church since they usually crown the rulers of France. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
Slaves in the French colony of Saint Domingue began to rise up against their French masters and in 1791, 100,000 slaves began a revolt. This revolt was led by Toussaint L'Ouverture. In 1802, French troops came to Saint Domingue to remove L'Ouverture from power. He agreed only is they promised to end slavery. Then captured him and his lieutenant Jean-Jacques Dessalines took over for him. In 1804, Dessalines declared the colony and independent country and named it Haiti. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
Padre Miguel Hidalgo was a priest from a small village of Dolores. He was first to start Mexican independence. He believed in the enlightenment and called for rebellion against the Spanish in 1810. Soon after, he led a march toward Mexico City. The Spanish Army and Creoles defeated them and Padre Jose Maria Morelos took over for Hidalgo. Then. a creole officer Austin de Iturbide defeated him. He then proclaimed independence in 1821. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon had lost many battles and his victors sent him to the island of Elba. He soon escaped and made his way back to France. He was welcomed and he again became the emperor of France. The British army was mad that he was back and their army led by the Duke of Wellington prepared for battle near Waterloo in Belgium. On June 18th, 1815 he attacked but the Prussian army was aiding the British and they defeated Napoleon. Napoleon was then sent to the island of St. Helena, never to be seen again.