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Enlightenment Thinkers
From 1650s to 1790s was the Age of the Enlightenment, an age that housed ideas of religion, reason, politics and the world. These ideas and questions came from some of the most important figures in world history. -
The Publication of the "Leviathan" by Thomas Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes believed that people were vain, selfish, and evil in nature, believing that a sovereign would be the best solution to enforce laws, and keep people in their place. He wrote his thoughts into a book, the "Matter, Forme and Power of a Commonwealth, Ecclesiastical and Civil," or the "Leviathan." He wrote and published the book in 1651. -
The Publication of the "Two Treaties of Government" by John Locke
In 1689, the "Two Treaties of Government" by John Locke was published. John Locke wrote this to express his rejection of the absolute monarchy, and his ideas of natural rights: the rights to life, liberty and property. -
Estates-General Meeting
King Louis XVI thought the only way to raise money, since the banks wouldn't lend him any, was through the raising of taxes. Since the Third Estate was already paid 98% of taxes, King Louis XVI decided to tax the nobility. This enraged the nobles, causing a meeting with the three Estates, the Estates-General Meeting. The Third Estate would be outvoted by the nobility and the clergy. -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution spanned from 1789, with the storming of the Bastille, and ended in 1799 with the new rule of Napoleon. This revolution introduced many vital figures. -
Tennis Court Oath
After the Estates-General Meeting, the middle class of the Third Estate, or the bourgeoisie, decided to develop their own governing body. The Tennis Court Oath was taken as a promise for a new constitution to be established in France. They broke into an old and abandoned tennis court and announced they would not leave until they were heard. -
The Storming of the Bastille
King Louis XVI, who was concerned for his safety, hired the Swiss Guard, a group of soldiers to protect him. The people of Paris had thought that the Swiss Guard were out to kill them, so they wanted to protect themselves. On July 14, 1789, the people of Paris stormed an old prison, the Bastille for firearms, ammunition, gunpowder, and other supplies. -
The Beginning of the Great Fear
Shortly after the storming of the Bastille, riots broke out between the Third Estate and the Second Estate. This wave of violence swept across France, being known as the Great Fear. -
Publication of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was modeled after the United States of America's Declaration of Independence. This book has the thoughts of Enlightenment thinkers in it. It contained the slogan: "Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite." This means Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood. King Louis XVI did not approve of this book. -
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Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution spanned from 1791 to 1804. The Haitian Revolution sought the fight to abolish slavery and declare Haiti's independence. -
The Slaves Rise up on Northern Plantations of St. Domingue
After the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen was published, around 50,000 free blacks, runaway slaves and former slaves began to revolt against the whites. A man named Dutty Boukman arranged a rebellion. This caused the whites to be afraid and killed hundreds of slaves, attempting to thwart the effort. -
The Execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
King Louis and Marie Antoinette attempted to escape France, playing as servants. Their plan was thwarted however, when a man recognized King Louis, since his face was on the country's currency. After they were escorted back to Paris, Louis could no longer be trusted to lead France, not even as a constitutional monarch, and was deemed a traitor by the radicals of the revolution. King Louis would be executed in the Place de la Revolution in Paris, via the guillotine, with Marie following after. -
The Beginning and End of the Reign of Terror
After the execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, around thousands of citizens were also executed by Maximillien Robespierre, considered to be "enemies of the revolution." Robespierre had little to no evidence against the accused. He also rejected religion, and was replaced by reason. The French citizens were upset with Robespierre and his reign of terror. They arrested Robespierre and sent him to execution via guillotine. He was executed on July 28, 1794, ending his reign of terror. -
The Directory Takes Control of France
After the Reign of Terror period, and the execution of Robespierre, a new constitution was established; the Directory. The Directory was ran by only five members. They wanted to build elite schools, recover France's economy, and make peace with Prussia and Spain. The Directory ended looking for help from Napoleon Bonaparte. -
War of Knives begins for control of St. Domingue
Toussaint L'Ouverture and Andre Rigaud fought for control over St. Domingue. This battle would be called the War of Knives, which lasted for over a year. Rigaud and his educated free blacks and ex-slaves were ultimately defeated by L'Ouverture and his less educated and poor ex-slaves. This caused Rigaud to flee. -
The Rise of A New Constitution Marks the End of the French Revolution
The Directory in France would be overthrown by Napoleon in a coup d'etat, replacing it with the Consulate. With this, Napoleon became France's first consul, then eventually first emperor. This coup d'etat would mark the end of the French Revolution, and the beginning of the Napoleonic Era. -
Toussaint L’Ouverture Proclaims a New Constitution in St. Domingue and is declared Governor for Life
After securing his power, L'Ouverture created a new constitution, outlawing slavery and voodoo, the common religion for the people of St. Domingue. He gave the citizens equal rights as well. He was also made leader for life. The citizens were angry and rebelled. Napoleon was angered with L'Ouverture's constitution, thinking it gave the people too much power and wanted slavery to be brought back. -
Dessalines Proclaims Haiti’s Independence.
After L'Ouverture was captured by the French Army, everyone in St. Domingue join together to put an end to the French colonial rule on the island. Napoleon underestimated the amount of soldiers that were needed for the fight. Jean-Jacques Dessalines and the people of St. Domingue were able to drive Napoleon's army out of the island. Then, Dessalines declared St. Domingue to be the first independent nation of ex-slaves. He also had the island's name returned to the Taino name; Haiti. -
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The Revolutions of Latin and South America
The South American Revolution spanned from 1810 to 1830. This revolution freed South American countries, such as Peru, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and many others. These countries were freed from Spain's control. -
Mexico Declares Independence from Spain
Father Miguel Hidalgo, a creole priest, was the first to begin the push for independence in Mexico. After Hidalgo's death, a mestizo priest by the name of Jose Morelos continued with the push, wanting to end slavery and give everyone the right to vote. He was also killed. The king of Spain was forced to sign a new constitution. Augustin de Iturbide fought for Mexico's independence, and eventually won, creating the Republic of Mexico. -
Simon Bolivar Arrives at Merida, Venezuela
A creole by the name of Simon Bolivar led revolutions down in South America. His attempts led him to exile twice to Haiti. He attacked the Spanish from over the Andes Mountains and defeated their forces in Colombia. He ended up driving the Spanish out of Caracas, Venezuela, and freed Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru. This gave him the moniker "Liberator." -
Peru Declares Independence
Simon went further down south and received help from another creole, Jose de San Martin. Jose was trained in military school in Europe. Simon Bolivar, with the newly acquired help of Jose de San Martin, were able to free Argentina, Chile and Peru from the Spanish.
