·    Political philosophies of the Enlightenment fueled revolution in the Americas and France.

·    Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence incorporated Enlightenment ideas.

The Constitution of the United States of America and Bill of Rights incorporated Enlightenment ideas.

·    Applied reason to the human world, as well as to the rest of the natural world

·    Stimulated religious tolerance

·    Fueled democratic revolutions around the world

 

Enlightenment thinkers and their ideas

·    Thomas Hobbes’ Leviathan: Humans exist in a primitive “state of nature” and consent to government for self-protection.

·    John Locke’s Two Treatises on Government: People are sovereign and consent to government for protection of natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

·    Montesquieu’s The Spirit of Laws: The best form of government includes a separation of powers.

·    Jean-Jacques Rousseau’s The Social Contract: Government is a contract between rulers and the people.

·    Voltaire: Religious toleration should triumph over religious fanaticism; separation of church and state.

·    Influence of Enlightenment ideas

·    Influence of the American Revolution

 

Events of the French Revolution

·    Storming of the Bastille

·    Reign of Terror

 

Outcomes of the French Revolution

·    End of the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI

Rise of Napoleon

·    Johann Sebastian Bach: Baroque composer

·    Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Classical composer

·    Voltaire: Philosopher

·    Miguel de Cervantes: Novelist

·    Eugène Delacroix: Painter (transition to the Romantic School of the nineteenth century)

 

New schools of art and forms of literature

·    Painting depicted classical subjects, public events, natural scenes, and living people (portraits).

·    New forms of literature evolved, such as the novel (e.g., Cervantes’ Don Quixote).

·    All-weather roads improved year- round transport and trade.

·    New designs in farm tools increased productivity (agricultural revolution).

Improvements in ship design lowered the cost of transport

·    Slaves in Haiti rebelled, abolished slavery, and won independence.

·    Father Miguel Hidalgo started the Mexican independence movement.

·    French, Spanish, and Portuguese colonies gained independence.

 

Selected countries that gained independence during the 1800s

·    Mexico

·    Haiti

·    Colombia

·    Venezuela

Brazil