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Montesquieu publishes book, On the Spirit of Laws
Montesquieu proposed that seperation of poers would keep any individual or group from gaining total control of the government. -
America Declares Independence
America, inspired by Enlightenment ideas, declares its independence from Great Britain -
French Revolution
The French revolution takes place. The people of France overthrow the king. -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d'etat
Napoleon overthrew the Directory and established a group of three consuls. He took the title of first consul, and assumed the powers of a dictator. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
Enslaved Africans under the leadership of Toussaint L'Ouverture siezed control of the colony. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European empire
Napoleon walked down the aisle of Notre Dame Cathedral, took a crown from the Pope, and placed it on his head. This signified that he was more powerful than the Church. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
He rang the bells of his village church at an unusual time. When the peasents gathered in the church, he issued a call for rebellion against the Spanish, the Cry of Dolores. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
This defeat ended Napolean's last bid for power, called the Hundred Days.
