American Revolution and Worldwide Influence
Throughout the American Revolution, the political upheavel was considered as an example that it was possible to overthrow your powerful regime and was the beginning of the Enlightenment spreading.
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Contents
1 French
1.1 Enlightenment
2 Ireland
2.1 Enlightenment
3 Haiti Influence
3.1 Enlightenment
1 French
1.1 Enlightenment
2 Ireland
2.1 Enlightenment
3 Haiti Influence
3.1 Enlightenment
French Influence
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Around twenty-four years after the American Revolution, the French Revolution sparked in Europe in 1789. The French kept to their traditional ways, which expressed no sense of individualism or self-liberty. Their passed down traditions conveyed that an absolute monarchy must be in control and the belief that their welfare depended on the government. These ideas spurred what the supporters called the glorious French Revolution. The French longed for a similar government of that of the United States, which aspired from Enlightenment thinking.
The main cause for the French Revolution was the king’s lack of ability to deal with the common people’s living conditions, financial situation, food storage, and religious tolerances, which in fact angered many civilians. As the
resentment toward the king grew day after day, people decided to take action
and create a new government that would run off a constitution, in which representatives of the people would run the country. Therefore the American Revolution’s success and new way of government helped influence the French to start a revolution of their own. Many soldiers active in the American Revolution captivated their fellow citizens with accounts of the war. Remarked by one Frenchman during this time period, “We talked of nothing but America” claimed by Talleyrand, demonstrates the fact that the French held the American Revolution as an example that it was possible to overthrow your powerful regime.
Enlightenment
In addition to the influence of starting their own nation, the American Revolution also caused the influence of new ways of thinking called the Enlightenment. The Third Estate began to recognize new views of power and authority in government. They had become inspired by the American Revolution and began to question the long-standing notions in the structure in their society. Both Rousseau and Voltaire began to demand “equality, liberty, and democracy”. The Comte D'Antraigues, a friend of Rousseau, best summed up their ideas on how governments should be run:“ The Third Estate is the People and the People is the foundation of the State; it is in fact the State itself; the…People is everything. Everything should be subordinated to it…. It is in the People that all national power resides and for the People that all states exists,"stated in the "Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution".
Soon new ideas such as individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and the notion of republicanism began to spread through Europe from French soldiers in the American Revolution. The U.S. Constitution is also thought to have contributed to the French Revolution. The Constitution was a new form of contract that expressed Enlightenment thinking. The natural rights of man, and the ideas of liberty, equality, and freedom of religion, were making its way up to the European mind. Many were beginning to reconsider their form of government and monarchy systems. The establishment of the National Assembly of 1791 was majorly influenced by America’s constitutionalism. Therefore the American Revolution helped contribute to the end of a powerful monarchy and church rule, and contributed to the spreading of nationalism and democracy in France.
The main cause for the French Revolution was the king’s lack of ability to deal with the common people’s living conditions, financial situation, food storage, and religious tolerances, which in fact angered many civilians. As the
resentment toward the king grew day after day, people decided to take action
and create a new government that would run off a constitution, in which representatives of the people would run the country. Therefore the American Revolution’s success and new way of government helped influence the French to start a revolution of their own. Many soldiers active in the American Revolution captivated their fellow citizens with accounts of the war. Remarked by one Frenchman during this time period, “We talked of nothing but America” claimed by Talleyrand, demonstrates the fact that the French held the American Revolution as an example that it was possible to overthrow your powerful regime.
Enlightenment
In addition to the influence of starting their own nation, the American Revolution also caused the influence of new ways of thinking called the Enlightenment. The Third Estate began to recognize new views of power and authority in government. They had become inspired by the American Revolution and began to question the long-standing notions in the structure in their society. Both Rousseau and Voltaire began to demand “equality, liberty, and democracy”. The Comte D'Antraigues, a friend of Rousseau, best summed up their ideas on how governments should be run:“ The Third Estate is the People and the People is the foundation of the State; it is in fact the State itself; the…People is everything. Everything should be subordinated to it…. It is in the People that all national power resides and for the People that all states exists,"stated in the "Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution".
Soon new ideas such as individual liberty, popular sovereignty, and the notion of republicanism began to spread through Europe from French soldiers in the American Revolution. The U.S. Constitution is also thought to have contributed to the French Revolution. The Constitution was a new form of contract that expressed Enlightenment thinking. The natural rights of man, and the ideas of liberty, equality, and freedom of religion, were making its way up to the European mind. Many were beginning to reconsider their form of government and monarchy systems. The establishment of the National Assembly of 1791 was majorly influenced by America’s constitutionalism. Therefore the American Revolution helped contribute to the end of a powerful monarchy and church rule, and contributed to the spreading of nationalism and democracy in France.
Ireland
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Opposition movements began to rise in Ireland during the latter half of the eighteenth century. Many who were against Britain rule began to recognize the American Revolution as an example to be followed. The Irish decided to take action on the demanding of their concessions once the war between Great Britain and the American Revolution had commenced. The American Colonies’ Act, also know as the Declaratory Act, of non-consumption of British goods inspired Ireland to do the same in hope of removing the trade restrictions. Ireland, therefore, created their own army, inspired and modeled by the American patriots, in aspiration to help support their demands. By 1779, Ireland was unable to gain full independence from Great Britain, however they made huge alters to the penal codes, were able to gain full independence of legislative power, and were granted the right to free trade within the British empire.
Enlightenment
Both Protestant and Catholic sides created dramatic changes in France after their recognition for Enlightenment thinking grew. Although Ireland contained a parliament that was able to make decisions, it was under the control of British rule and was only really representing Protestants. The American Revolution inspired the Irish to reach a compromise with Great Britain on the reformation of Catholic penal codes, increasing of self-governance, and less restrictions toward trade.
Enlightenment
Both Protestant and Catholic sides created dramatic changes in France after their recognition for Enlightenment thinking grew. Although Ireland contained a parliament that was able to make decisions, it was under the control of British rule and was only really representing Protestants. The American Revolution inspired the Irish to reach a compromise with Great Britain on the reformation of Catholic penal codes, increasing of self-governance, and less restrictions toward trade.
Haiti
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The first to follow the American Revolution in obtaining freedom for their monarchy was the French slave colony, Saint Domingue. The Haitian Revolution lasted from 1791 to 1804. Saint Domingue was the first Latin American colony to take action against European rule. The colony, now known as Haiti, spread on the western third of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Seas. Many farmers and free African Americans began to root for the end of racist laws and the increasing for African American political rights. Toussaint L'Ouverture, a former slave, soon surfaced to become a leader that would lead enslaved African Americans in a rebellion against France. In the northern plain of Haiti in 1791, a massive slave rebellion took place. This rebellion became know as one of the most successful insurrection in history, which then affected in the termination of slavery in Haiti in 1793. All men have “inalienable rights”, was a crucial saying proclaimed in the American Revolution in 1776.
Enlightenment
During this time, many did not draw the logical conclusion: slavery could not be justified and that the slavery system was contrasting their statement. When writing, “that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, declared in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was not supporting black claims for freedom. However, these significant statements were key factors to the creation of the revolts. Inspired by the Americans, the French quickly claimed, “men are born and remain free and equal in rights,” claimed in "The Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Of The Citizen".
However, the French did not intend for this to apply to the slaves in the colonies overseas. Although seeming small, Saint Domingue, Guadeloupe and Martinique held around the same amount of slaves as the thirteen largest states in America. Ideas such as liberty and freedom expanded as time went by. Mostly influenced by John Locke’s essay “Concerning Human Understanding,”, created in 1690, it divulged the idea that the human society must run on the natural laws. Stating in one of his works, “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker,” stated in "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding".
In return, this set off an example that inspired many in Saint Domingue to revolt. Influenced by his principles, John Locke felt there was no rebuttal between the principles and slavery itself. The contradiction soon became clear to people around the eighteenth century. Eventually the Enlightenment was crucial to the insurrection in Haiti and soon spread ideas of equality for men and representation in government.
Enlightenment
During this time, many did not draw the logical conclusion: slavery could not be justified and that the slavery system was contrasting their statement. When writing, “that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”, declared in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson was not supporting black claims for freedom. However, these significant statements were key factors to the creation of the revolts. Inspired by the Americans, the French quickly claimed, “men are born and remain free and equal in rights,” claimed in "The Declaration Of The Rights Of Man And Of The Citizen".
However, the French did not intend for this to apply to the slaves in the colonies overseas. Although seeming small, Saint Domingue, Guadeloupe and Martinique held around the same amount of slaves as the thirteen largest states in America. Ideas such as liberty and freedom expanded as time went by. Mostly influenced by John Locke’s essay “Concerning Human Understanding,”, created in 1690, it divulged the idea that the human society must run on the natural laws. Stating in one of his works, “The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges every one: and reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind, who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions: for men being all the workmanship of one omnipotent, and infinitely wise maker,” stated in "An Essay Concerning Human Understanding".
In return, this set off an example that inspired many in Saint Domingue to revolt. Influenced by his principles, John Locke felt there was no rebuttal between the principles and slavery itself. The contradiction soon became clear to people around the eighteenth century. Eventually the Enlightenment was crucial to the insurrection in Haiti and soon spread ideas of equality for men and representation in government.
One of the many important influences the American Revolution had on other countries was the spreading of the enlightenment thinking. The Age of Enlightenment began during the 1650s through the 1780s. Throughout this age, many were beginning to become inspired the thought of individulaism and reason. Mainly inspired by the enlightenment thinkers, the American Revolution was a major boost to the uncovering of enlightenment ideas.