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Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution has often been described as the largest and most successful slave rebellion in the Western Hemisphere. Slaves initiated the rebellion in 1791 and by 1803 they had succeeded in ending not just slavery but French control over the colony.The Haitian Revolution is the only successful slave revolt in history, and resulted in the establishment of Haiti, the first independent black state in the New World. -
Mexican War of Independence
On September 16, 1810, a Catholic priest, Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, led a call for revolution from the town of Dolores, officially starting the Mexican Revolution. Today, September 16th is celebrated as Mexican Independence Day. -
Latin American Wars of Independence (North, Simon Bolivar)
Simon Bolivar lived a short but comprehensive life. History records his extraordinary versatility. He was a revolutionary who freed six countries, an intellectual who argued the problems of national liberation, a general who fought a war of unremitting violence. He inspired extremes of devotion and detestation. -
Latin American Wars of Independence (South, San Martin)
Jose de San Martin defeated the Spanish in Chile in 1817. This was the first true victory against the Spanish by the Latin Americans. This victory set off a tide of victories for the cause of Latin American Independence. Bolivar defeated the Spanish, thus liberating an area he called Grande Colombia. They would later separate into the countries Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador. -
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary, musical and intellectual movement that originated in Europe toward the end of the 18th century and in most areas was at its peak in the approximate period from 1800 to 1850.Romanticism proper was preceded by several related developments from the mid-18th century on that can be termed Pre-Romanticism. -
Brazilian Independence
This was the last straw for Pedro. He addressed his friends and Guard of Honour, informing them that any ties that they had once held with Portugal were now broken. He instructed them to remove their blue and white armbands. For my blood, my honour, my God, I swear to give Brazil freedom. Independence or death!” -
Italian Unification
The countries of Europe today are almost second nature to those of us who grew up in Western society. Italy, Germany, England - all of these and others conjure certain images of landmarks, people, and food. Considering this, it may come as a surprise to some to learn that as little as 150 years ago, Italy as a cohesive political entity didn't exist! In this lesson, we'll trace the 19th-century developments which fostered the unification of Italy. -
German Unification
Germany is a relatively modern state. In the mid nineteenth century Germany was a collection of smaller states that were linked as a German confederation. This confederation was dominated by Austria, which as a large imperial power was politically and economically superior to the smaller Germanic states. In the 1860's the dominance of Austria was challenged by Prussia and the process of unification and codification of German law began.
