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Thesis
Following many important changes in the way people viewed their rights as citizens, such as the American and French Revolutions, a continuous flow of ideas of independence and government systems based on democracy spread all over the world. -
Period: to
The Dawn of the Industrial Age
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Beginning of the American War for Independence
The British colonies in North America declared independence and began a war against "taxation without representation". After gaining their independence, the Americans began a republic and established an elected president, George Washington. This was a change in colonial patterns because this was one of the first successful colonial rebellion against a European power and the new government system was imitated by later new governments. -
Beginning of the French Revolution
The French Revolution was started due to unhappiness with the monarchy and set into motion many changes in popular opinion of government. This change brought new thoughts about citizens' rights to participate in government, resulting in widespread democracies for the first time in world history. -
Haiti Declares Independence
Haiti's revolution and becoming its own country was a huge change in world history because it was the first slave rebellion that actually won its independence, setting in motion a whole wave of Latin American independence movements. -
Monarchy Established in Brazil
In 1808, a violent uprising in Portugal caused the royal family to flee to their colony of Brazil, where they set up their new monarchy. This is a change because it is the first monarchy diretly established and controlled in an American colony. -
Start of Period of Spanish-American Wars for Independence
After watching the success of Haiti's revolution, many countries in Spanish America followed suit in declaring their independence. This period, lasting until 1825, shows continuity starting in Haiti and flowing throughout south and central America. -
Brazil Declares Independence from Portugal and Starts Empire
After a brief period of monarchy, Brazil declared its independence from Portugal in 1822. This is an example of the continuity of South American nations gaining independence from their European controllers. -
Start of Mexican-American War
After many rebellions in Mexico, a full on war for independence broke out. This is, once again, a continuation of Latin American trends in this time period. -
Boer Republics Set Up in Orange Free State and Transvaal
The Boers were the descendants of the original Dutch settlers in souther Africa. After being driven away from their homes by newly arrived Europeans, they established new settlements and eventually set up republics through the 1850s. This is continuity of the pattern of democratic republics spreading all over the globe. -
Brazilian Empire Falls, Republic Put in Its Place
Finally, after a period of having an empire, Brazil set up a republic as its central government. This is further continuity of the spread of democracy in the Indutrial Age. -
Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution resulted in extended rights of peasants and, more importantly, Russia's first constitution. This is a continuation of both the extension of democratic government and Russia's history of imitating the West.