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Enlightenment Thinkers
This timespan will explore several of the thinkers from the Enlightenment and their works. -
Publication of Leviathan
The author of Leviathan, Thomas Hobbes, was an English philosopher in the 1500-1600s. His book touches on several different topics but is centered around the nature of humans and their behavior. Hobbes details the uncivilized life of humankind outside of an organized society but argues that a hypothetical social contract with sovereign power keeps them in line. This book is seen as an influential and preliminary example of the social contract theory.
http://stanford.io/3pfqzRk -
Publication of Two Treatises of Government
John Locke was an English philosopher in the 1600s. In his book Two Treatises of Government, Locke refutes the divine right of kings and argues for people's natural rights. He especially supports one's right to property and insists on the need for separation of powers within the government. John Locke is one of the most influential political philosophers from the Enlightenment and had a beneficial impact on numerous people and those who drafted following constitutions.
http://stanford.io/3jE407M -
Publication of The Spirit of Laws
The author of The Spirit of Laws, Baron de Montesquieu, was a French philosopher in the 1600-1700s. In his book, he strongly argues the importance of a constitutional government and the separation of powers within the government. Montesquieu's aim in this text is to explain human laws and social institutions. Drafters of differing constitutions were influenced by Montesquieu's standpoint on the separation of powers and incorporated those ideas into their laws.
http://stanford.io/2ZaM2QO -
Publication of The Social Contract
Jean Jacques Rousseau was a French philosopher during the 1700s and wrote The Social Contract. In this book, Rousseau argues against the divine right of kings. He also advocates for a direct democracy where everyone votes, but on a small scale like his city-state Geneva and equality in society. Rousseau's work inspired several reforms or revolutions specifically in France but also in other places across Europe.
https://www.bl.uk/collection-items/the-social-contract-by-jean-jacques-rousseau -
Publication of Candide
Voltaire, the author of Candide, was a French philosopher during the 1700s. His novel Candide is a satirical book that mocks optimism. Religious satire is utilized too as Voltaire details the hypocrisy of religious leaders. Candide is a blunt representation of oppression through religion and politics, the power and influence of money, and sexual violence towards women. Voltaire's ideas expressed in his writing found their ground within the French and American Revolutions.
https://bit.ly/3agmjgt -
King Louis XVI Becomes King
King Louis XVI was the last king of France from 1774-1792. Citizens were angry about Louis' actions in attempts to solve his financial problems where he assembled the Estates-General. The Estates-General created an uneven distribution of power and targeted the 3rd Estate that was less wealthy than the 1st and 2nd Estates. The decisions King Louis XVI made while in power lead to the French Revolution as he angered many of his subjects by unjust actions.
http://bit.ly/3tUJ5Sv -
Estates-General Meets
King Louis XVI's severe financial problems caused him to tax the nobility to help his debt. However, the nobility became enraged and forced Louis to call a meeting with the Estates-General. The Estates-General was composed of three Estates; religious leaders (1st Estate), the nobility (2nd Estate), and common citizens (3rd Estate). The 1st and 2nd Estate mistreating the 3rd Estate sparked the events leading up to the French Revolution. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Estates-General -
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French Revolution
The French Revolution and actions of individuals who participated in it will be analyzed in this timespan. -
Tennis Court Oath
The members of the 3rd Estate formed the National Assembly to create fairer laws for the middle class. The 1st and 2nd Estate were furious and decided to lock the 3rd Estate out of the meeting hall. With nowhere else to go members of the 3rd Estate broke into an abandoned tennis court. They pledged not to leave until they developed a new constitution for France. This early protest to poor treatment from the upper classes led to many more.
https://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/item105163.html -
Beginning of the Great Fear
King Louis XVI was concerned about his safety and hired soldiers for protection. Citizens thought these soldiers were going to be used against them and stormed the Bastille, an old prison, for supplies to fight back. Throughout the rest of the summer, peasants killed several members of the 2nd Estate, later known as the Great Fear. The Great Fear was a significant event and marks the start of the French Revolution.
https://worldhistoryproject.org/1789/7/20/the-great-fear -
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was a text that assigned rights to citizens during the French Revolution. Many rights like freedom of religion, speech, assembly, press, etc., and separation of powers were introduced for the first time in solid laws. This was a turning point for citizens and influenced numerous countries' constitutions and laws following the French Revolution.
https://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/rightsof.asp -
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Haitian Revolution
The Haitian Revolution and actions of individuals who participated in it will be analyzed in this timespan. -
Slaves Rise Up on Northern Plantations
After years of torture from their masters, slaves revolted in the northern part of St. Domingue. Slaves overthrew their masters and took control of the important northern province of the island. After this, slaves joined forces with other countries in their fights against France in hopes to abolish slavery. This event marks the start of the Haitian Revolution.
https://64parishes.org/entry/the-saint-domingue-revolution -
Publication of Vindication of the Rights of Women
The author of this novel, Mary Wollstonecraft, was a French philosopher in the 1700s. She advocated for women's rights and their equality in society. As one of the earliest feminists, her book is about women's purposes beyond pleasing men and how they should have equal opportunities in education, work, and politics. Mary Wollstonecraft's beliefs and writings challenged societal standards for women at the time and were one of the first steps to equality.
http://bit.ly/3pdWcuB -
King Louis XVI executed by guillotine
King Louis XVI was sentenced to death for conspiracy with foreign powers by the French National Convention. This event was a turning point for people across Europe and ended a 1000+ year long monarchy rule. His death inspired many events and groups to come.
https://www.history.co.uk/this-day-in-history/21-january/king-louis-xvi-executed -
Reign of Terror Begins
The Reign of Terror was gruesome and unnecessary in the history of the French Revolution. Robespierre led a mass execution of thousands of French citizens because they were "enemies" of the French Revolution. The thing is, he had little to no evidence of this; meaning, he killed multitudes of people without valid reasoning. This led to the arrest and execution of Maximilien Robespierre, which ended the most radical part of the French Revolution.
https://bit.ly/3rPpT73 -
Execution of Robespierre
The Jacobins took over the Committee of Public Safety during the Reign of Terror and abused his power over French citizens. Ultimately, Robespierre became a dictator and turned to mass executions and bloodshed. His execution occurred in 1794 and ended the most radical period of the French Revolution.
https://landmarkevents.org/the-death-of-maximilien-de-robespierre-1794/ -
The Directory takes control of France
The Directory was a five-man group that formed to replace the Committee of Public Safety. This group stopped much of the violence that resulted from the Reign of Terror. A decent government was provided until the group failed. However, corruption and many other problems within France saw to the end of this group. Despite being overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte, the Directory was able to provide some peace for citizens while they lasted.
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Directory-French-history -
War of Knives
The War of Knives was a civil war between Toussaint L'Ouverture and André Rigaud over complete control of Saint Domingue. L'Ouverture was in control of the northern part of the island and Rigaud the south, but they both wanted more. L'Ouverture ended up winning after about a year which left Rigaud and his officers to flee. L'Ouverture's power set the groundwork for Saint Domingue's independence and the abolition of slavery there.
https://thelouvertureproject.org/index.php?title=War_of_Knives -
New Constitution in France Declares Revolution Over
The constitution of 1799 declared the French Revolution over by putting Napoleon Bonaparte in power. Bonaparte was one of the world's best military generals and made several impacts on France. Some of these include his revolutionization of military organization and training, reorganizing education, and sponsoring the Napoleonic Code.
https://www.napoleon-series.org/research/government/legislation/c_constitution8.html -
L’Ouverture Proclaims a New Constitution
After L'Ouverture gained control of Saint Domingue, he proclaims a new constitution with some important changes. The first is the abolition of slavery and the establishment of equality regardless of race. L'Ouverture also declared himself Governor-General for life and outlawed the religion of most inhabitants of the island, voodoo. Angry citizens unknowingly gave France the upper hand by revolting against L'Ouverture's reign.
https://library.brown.edu/haitihistory/8.html -
L’Ouverture Put in Prison
L'Ouverture was one of the main leaders of the Haitian Revolution. After gaining control of Saint Domingue, he made some new laws and choices that angered citizens on the island. He was then captured and imprisoned. L'Ouverture died of pneumonia and malnutrition in prison on April 7th, 1803. L'Ouverture's death was unjust but did not stop Haiti from gaining its independence.
http://bit.ly/3d8rZe1 -
Dessalines Proclaims Haiti’s Independence
When Dessalines proclaimed Haiti's independence he gave its citizens back natural rights and ensured the abolition of slavery that Napoleon tried to re-implement. Dessalines became the first ruler of Haiti with its independence.
https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/dessalines-jean-jacques-1758-1806/ -
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Revolutions of Latin and South America
The Revolutions of Latin and South America and actions of individuals who participated in it will be analyzed in this timespan. -
Mexico Declares Independence From Spain
Father Miguel Hidalgo, a creole priest, started pushing for independence from Spain by issuing a call during “El Grito de Dolores”. On September 16th, 1810, poor mestizos and Native Americans got behind it as well. This event marks the start of the Mexican War of Independence. Despite Hidalgo's execution in 1811, his actions inspired many events and people to come.
https://library.csun.edu/SCA/Peek-in-the-Stacks/mexican-independence -
Simon Bolivar Arrives at Merida, Venezuela
Simon Bolivar was a creole and led several revolutions in South America. One of the countries in which he helped gained independence was Venezuela. Bolivar's arrival in Venezuela led to the Admirable Campaign that he was head of. The Admirable Campaign ended in victory and Venezuela was freed from Spanish rule.
http://www.historicaltextarchive.org/books.php?action=nextchapter&bid=29&cid=4 -
Peru Declares Independence
Peru declared their independence in late July of 1821 but wasn't strong enough to fight the Spanish on its own. This led to Simon Bolivar's inclusion in their fight against Spanish rule. With all of Bolivar's past successes, he added the Peruvian liberation to his success list as well. Peru's independence as a country came from the declaration made on this day.
https://www.brown.edu/Facilities/John_Carter_Brown_Library/exhibitions/peru/peru/independence.php -
Gran Columbia Formed
Gran Colombia included the modern countries of Colombia, Ecuador, Panama, and Venezuela, as well as parts of Brazil and Peru. It was formed to unite member states and allow them to rebuild after the Spanish wars. Simon Bolivar founded Gran Colombia as a republic to defend the integrity of its districts.
http://to.pbs.org/2NkFbBU
