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The Spirit of Laws
Baron de la Brede et de Montesquieu published his book The Spirit of Laws, in which he asked: What can reason tell us about how people should be governed. He also described the three kinds of governments - monarchies, republics, and despotic governments. -
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Events Leading up to theAmerican and French Revolutions
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French & Indian War/Taxation without representation
The Proclomation of 1763 stated that colonists must stay east of the Appalachian Mountains, ending the war. Parliament also decided to raise the taxes for the colonists to help support the troops. So they raised taxes on goods such as sugar, paper, and tea. -
Boston Massacre
An angry crowd began taunting a small group of british soliders, pelting them with garbage and chunks of ice. The soliders then opened fire on the angry mob and killed 5 people. This became known as the boston masacre and angered a lot of people. -
Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress in Philadelphia voted to adopt the Declaration of Independence, which THomas Jefferson drafted. -
Revolutionary War Ends
The British signed a peace treaty that recognized the United States of America as an independent nation. -
Frances Bad harvests
France suffered bad food harvests that led to a sharp increase in the price of food. -
The Tennis Court Oath
When the national Assembly tried to meet up, they found the door of their hall locked against them. They moved to an indoor tennis court, where they swore an oath. They vowed to never disband until they had drafted a new constitution for the french government. -
Frances New Constitution
The Assembly proposed a constitution for France, which provided a limit to monarchy. It was like England's, with the king's power seperate from the powers of an elected legislature. -
King louis XVI is Beheaded
King Louis XVI is beheaded. -
Reign of Terrors End
The guillotine ended Robespierre's life and the Reign of Terror. Power shifted from the radicals to the middle class.