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Atlantic Revolutions
Part of the Age of Revolution
Clockwise from top:
Date 22 March 1765 – 4 December 1838
(73 years, 8 months, 1 week and 5 days)
Location
Atlantic World
Caused by
Resulted in Multiple revolutions and wars across the Atlantic world, including the American Revolutionary War, French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, and the Spanish American wars of independence

The Atlantic Revolutions (1765–1838) were a series of big changes and wars. They happened around the Atlantic Ocean in the late 1700s and early 1800s. During this time, new ideas from the Age of Enlightenment became popular. These ideas questioned the power of kings and queens who ruled absolutely.

People wanted to end rule by monarchs and spread ideas about freedom and rights for everyone. They believed in the importance of individual liberty. Some revolutions in West Africa also pushed for different forms of Islam that were more equal.

Early signs of these changes appeared in 1755 with the Corsican Republic and Pontiac's War. The biggest early revolution was the American Revolution in 1765. This led to the creation of the United States of America. The American Revolution inspired other movements. These included the French Revolution in 1789 and the Haitian Revolution in 1791.

These revolutions were based on the idea that personal freedom was linked to the right to own property. This concept was spread by thinkers like Edmund Burke. They also believed in the equality of all men. This idea was written into the new laws and constitutions that came from these revolutions.

History of Atlantic Revolutions

Erster Freiheitsbaum Mainz
A tree of liberty with a Phrygian cap in Mainz in 1793. These symbols were used by many revolutionary groups.

These revolutions happened in both the Americas and Europe. Key places included the United States (1765–1783) and France (1789–1814). Other important areas were Haiti (1791–1804) and Spanish America (1810–1825). There were also smaller uprisings in places like Switzerland and Brazil.

People involved in these revolutions often knew about each other's struggles. They were inspired by or copied ideas from other movements.

The American Revolution (1765–1783) was the start of independence movements in the New World. France, the Netherlands, and Spain helped the new United States gain freedom from Britain. In the 1790s, the Haitian Revolution began, leading to Haiti's independence. As Spain was busy with wars in Europe, its colonies in mainland America also gained independence around 1820.

Bastille-day-belfast-1791
Bastille Day, 1792, Belfast, Ireland. People parade flags of free nations, including Ireland, America, France, Poland, and Great Britain.

Over time, these revolutions were largely successful. They spread important ideas like liberalism (freedom and rights) and republicanism (rule by the people). They helped to overthrow powerful nobles, kings, and old church systems.

These movements highlighted the universal ideas of the Age of Enlightenment. These included the idea that all people are equal. They also pushed for fair justice under the law, decided by unbiased courts. This was different from justice given out by a local noble's whim. The revolutions showed that creating a completely new government could actually work. This led to a "revolutionary mindset" that still exists today.

The ideas of the Atlantic Revolutions were sometimes complex. For example, Edmund Burke supported the American colonists in 1774. He felt their property and rights were being taken away unfairly by the king. However, Burke criticized the French Revolution in 1790. He believed the French revolutionaries were taking away property, traditions, and religious rights too quickly. In both cases, Burke followed the idea that owning property is key to personal freedom.

The American Revolution was a major event in this period. It led to the United States becoming an independent country. Its impact spread across the Atlantic, influencing other movements in Europe and the Americas. For example, the Haitian Revolution in the 1790s challenged colonial rule. It inspired hopes for freedom and equality. Similarly, Spanish colonies in the Americas gained independence around 1820.

These revolutions were connected and driven by ideas of freedom and self-governance. They aimed to remove old systems of power and create governments based on Enlightenment principles. This revolutionary spirit showed that new governments based on justice and equality were possible.

Major National Revolutions

Many different revolutions took place during this period:

These different uprisings shared many common ideas. They focused on the "Rights of Man" and individual freedom. They also believed in "popular sovereignty," meaning that power comes from the people. This idea was often based on the writings of John Locke or Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Many revolutionaries believed in a "social contract"—an agreement between the government and the people. This was often written down in new constitutions. They also shared certain religious beliefs, often linked to deism, which valued reason. They strongly disliked feudalism (an old system of land ownership) and often disliked monarchy (rule by kings) itself.

The Atlantic Revolutions also used many similar symbols. These included the name "Patriot" for revolutionary groups and the slogan "Liberty". Other symbols were the liberty cap, Lady Liberty, and the tree of liberty.

Important People and Groups

See Also

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