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Montesquieu publishes book, "On the Spirit of Laws"
In "On the Spirit of Laws", Montesquieu proposed that separation of powers would prevent any individual or group from gaining total control of the gov. He wrote, "Power should be a check to power." These ideas became the basis for the United States Consitution. -
America declares independence
In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson.The document was influenced by ideas of John Locke and the Enlightenment, stating that all men are equal and have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. -
French Revolution
In addition to the growing resentment among the lower classes, there were other factors that contributed to the start of the French Revolution. Enlightenment ideas spread among the people of the Third Estate, France was expreiencing economic troubles, and Louis XVI proved to be a poor leader. The Third Estate formed the National Assembly, leading to many changes in the gov (although France still had a king at the end of Revolution). -
Napoleon overthrows the Directory through a coup d'etat
In 1799, Napoleon's troops drive out most members of the national legislature. The remaining lawmakers voted to dissolve the Directory, then established a group of three consuls, including Napoleon. Napoleon quickly took the title of first consul and assumed the power of a dictator. -
Haiti wins freedom from France
Boukman, a voodoo priest, first called for the beginning of a revolution in Haiti. During the slave revolt of 1791, Toussaint L'Ouverture emerged as leader. After L'Ouverture was seized by the French, Jean-Jacques Dessalines took up the fight for freedom, and declared Haiti as independent in 1804. -
Napoleon crowns himself emperor, begins to create a vast European Empire
Supported by French voters, Napoleon declares himself as emperor in 1804. At the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Napoleon took the crown from the pope and placed it on his own head. This gesture symbolized his power over the Church, which traditionally crowned the rulers in France. -
Padre Hidalgo calls for Mexican Independence
In the small village of Dolores, Padre Hidalgo rang the bells of his village church. When the peasants assembled in the church, he issued a call for rebellion against the Spanish (grito de Dolores). The next day, Hidalgo and his followers began a march toward Mexico City. Although they were defeated in 1811, they began the fight for Mexican independence. -
Napoleon is defeated at the Battle of Waterloo
The British army, led by the Duke of Wellington, prepared for battle near Waterloo in Belgium. When Napoleon attacked, the British stood their ground. Later in the afternoon, the Prussian army joined the British in attacking Napoleon's troops. After this defeat, Napoleon was shipped to St. Helena by the British.