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Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
Montesqieu believed that the British had the best system of government. Although he oversimlified their system, he wrote a book that inspired many ideas that still impact the world today. He wrote the book, On the Spirit of Laws, to express his ides inclusing, seperation of powers, because he thought that, " powere should be a check to power," which later became known as the idea of checks and balances. -
America declares independence
Americans feel that the king of Britain is not offering them their natural rights, an idea of John Locke, and that they therefore have the right to declare their independence. -
French Revolution
Inspired by the Americans and Enlightenment ideas, the French recognize that king Luis isn't offering them their rights and that they therefore need to do something about it. The french are indeciesive in whether or not to give King Luis an power at all or just to kill him. Eventually King Luis is executed along with his wife -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d’etat
The Directory had lost power and the faith of the french people. Napoleon's friends urged him to take power at this time. Napoleon sent his troups to the national legislature and drove out most of the members. The remaining lawmakers gave most of the power to Napoleon and 2 other consels. Napoleon was the first consul and then he took the title of Dictator soon after. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire
Napoeone declare himself emperor because that declared luis as exiled and that he was the new head. He wanted other countries to recognize that he was the emperor. He also didn't want anyone else to seixe power over him. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
The rebellion began with a revolt of black African slaves. There was a french colony called Saint Domingue. Because they had sugar plantations which require a great deal of slave labor, the slave ratio to slave owner was well in the favor of the slaves. Therefore, the slaves, mullatoes, realized that they had the greater population and that they could therefore take over the french. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
Padre Hidalgo was a priest in a small town called Delores. He was poor yet well educated. He also firmly believed in Enlightenment ideas. In september of 1810 he rang the bells of his church at a different time than the usual, this is now called the Call of Delores, or grito de Delores. The next day Padre and his mestizo, and indian followers followed him in a march to Mexico city. They were defeated in 1811. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
Napoleon was at battle with the British and the British held their ground all day, however when the Prussian army joined the British against the French the French wwere defeated. This major defeat is the cause of modern day's term for weakness "waterloo" this battle determined the fate of Napoleon.
