Enlightenment and Revolutions

By zswartz1
  • Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws

    Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws

    Montesquieu proposed that seperation of poers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government.
  • America Declares Independence

    America Declares Independence

    America, inspired by Enlightenment ideas, declares its independence from Great Britain
  • French Revolution

    French Revolution

    The French revolution takes place. The people of France overthrow the king.
  • Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d'etat

    Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d'etat

    Napoleon overthrew the Directory and established a group of three consuls. He took the title of first consul, and assumed the powers of a dictator.
  • Haiti wins freedom from France

    Haiti wins freedom from France

    Enslaved Africans under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture siezed control of the colony.
  • Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European empire

    Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European empire

    Napoleon walked down the aisle of Notre Dame Cathedral, took a crown from the Pope, and placed it on his head. This signified that he was more powerful than the Church.
  • Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence

    Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence

    He rang the bells of his village church at an unusual time. When the peasents gathered in the church, he issued a call for rebellion against the Spanish, the Cry of Dolores.
  • Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo

    Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo

    This defeat ended Napolean's last bid for power, called the Hundred Days.