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Montesquieu Publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
In his book, Montesquieu proposes the ideas of the separation of powers and checks and balances. These ideas would later be adopted in the US's Constitution. -
America Declares Independence
On the 4th of July, 1776, America declared their independence from Great Britain. With the Declaration came the document titled the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. -
French Revolution
In 1789, the French overthrew their king because he mistreated them. The Revolution was sparked by Enlightenment and led to the creation of a French Republic. -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d’etat
In 1799, Napoleon returned to Europe and found a weak government and fearing for France and its people, he overthrew the government through a coup d'etat. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire
In 1804, Napolean declared himself emperor and looked to reestablish France as a European power by creating a vast Empire. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
As the Enlightenment ideas begin to reach Haiti (then known as Saint Domingue), slaves and planters began to demand their freedom and rights. Consequently they revolted and won the battle and rid themselves of the French. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
When the Spanish King tried to tighten control over Mexico, the Mexicans were angered and rose in revolt. The revolt was successful and overthrew the king. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
On June 18, 1815, Napoleon's French army and the Duke of Wellington's British army clashed at Waterloo, Belgium. The battle was even until later in the afternoon, the Prussian army arived to aid the British in victory defeating Napoleon for the last time.