The Glorious Revolution

How did the Enlightenment influence the Age of Revolutions?

The Enlightenment was the age were philosophers promulgated ideas to create a new government, however, this influenced the Age of Revolutions such as the American Revolutions, Rio de Plata Revolution and the Glorious Revolution. The American Revolution was influenced by the John Locke, a famous philosopher in the Enlightenment.  His point of view and ideas of the government were one of the reasons that the Americans decided to rebel. Rio de Plata Revolution was influenced by the Enlightenment since San Martín was in Europe during this time period. When he went back to South America he put this ideas into action. In addition, the French Revolution was influenced by the Enlightenment since the ideas of copious philosophers created people to use reason and individualism. This eventually made the French feel nationalism and demand a democratic government. The opinion and ideas of philosophers influenced colonies to demand a democratic government. The opinion and ideas of philosophers influenced colonies to demand independence, causing revolutions all over the world. If philosophers wouldnt have spread their ideas many colonies would have been controlled for a long period of time and some maybe wouldnt have gained their independence. 

 

The French Revolution was a major world event causing various colonies to revolt against the power colonies such as the Brazilian Revolution, the Hatian Revolution, and Rio de Plata Revolution. The French Revolution had a major effect on the Brazilian Revolution since France had conquered Spain. When Spain fell to the French power, Portugal was threatened causing the royal family to flee to Brazil. There the king’s son, Pedro was left in charge while the king went back to Portugal to control the revolts. Eventually, Pedro gained the support of many people and the conflict between Portugal and Brazil, where Portugal wanted Brazil to become a dependent colony, caused tension and lead to the Brazilian Revolution. Another Revolution influenced by the French Revolution, was the Haitian Revolution. when the French peoples rights were opressed by the monarchy, they decided to rebel. When they dethrowned the monarchy and achieved their rights, the slaves rights remained the same. This caused the desire to revolt in the slaves and fight for their rights. Led by Toussaint l’Overture, slaves fought against the French army from 1791 to 1804. Napoleon Bonaparte was a major influence for the Rio de Plata Revolution which was also influenced by the French Revolutioin. In Europe, was was constant and when Napoleon conquered Spain, colonists saw this as a sign of weakness, giving them an opportunity to fight for independence from 1700-1800. Even though the French Revolution was at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, it was the spark cause for mnay revolutions. Many colonies saw the conquest of Spain by France as a sign of weakness and an event that they could take advantage from causing the Brazilian Revolution, Haitian Revolution, and the Rio de Plata Revolution.  

 

What role did inequality play in the age of revolutions?

Inequality is one of the main causes of revolutions since people revolt for equal rights, the end of abuses from the government, and the end of social injustice. a revolution that rebelled for equal rights was the Haitian Revolution. Slavery was very common in Saint Domingue, living in horrible conditions and treated brutaly. when the slaves noticed that the French won the French Revolution they decided to fight for their rights as well directed by Toussaint l’Overture in 1791. The French Revolution was caused by the abuses of the absolute monarchy. france was in major debt during this time due to the 7 years war, causing a heavy taxation on people. Famine, riots, and the rise of the enlightenment were reasons that lead to the French Revolution. A revolution that was also caused by the New Granada Revolution. In the 1800’s there was social injustice directed towards the Creoles. The Bourbon Reforms imposed by the king changed the Creole’s life by discriminating “having been placed in a state lower than slavery” (Jamaica Letter). The social injustice directed to the Creoles was one of the major causes that created the revolution. Since many colonial powers had an abusive form of government, colonies decided to rebel for equal rights, a fair government, and the end of social injustice. 

 

Overall, what caused these populations to risk life and future by rebelling against the government? 

There were many reasons why these revolutions took place such as abusive governments, opression of rights, and the decreasing economy in the colonies, however, there was one major reason that caused all these revolutions, the Enlightenment. The successful American Revolution was based on John Locke and we can see his influence through The unananimus Declaration of the thirteen United States of America. In these declaration Thomas Jefferson says: That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and institute new government". Here Thomas Jefferson declares that people have the right to revolt against the government if they abuse peoples rights and John Locke states the same idea in Second Treatise on Government: " Whenever the government shall trangress this fundamental rule of society ... It falls to the people, who have a right to resume their original liberty, and by the establishment of a new legislative". The  Rio de Plata Revolution was also influenced by the Enlightenment. San Martín, an important cause of this revolution, experienced the Enlightenment while he was in Europe. When he came back to America, all these philosophies and ideal governments were spread by him. This caused people to realize that they had the right to revolt against an opressive government and the conquest of Spain was their opportunity to act and fight for their rights. The different ideas proposed by philosophers made people realize they could achieve independence. If the Enlightenment wouldnt have happened, all these important colonies would not have had the motivation or courage to fight fot their rights and become independent.