7.3 Revolutions: America, France, and Haiti

The American, French, and Haitian Revolutions shook the world in the late 18th century. These uprisings challenged established power structures, inspired by Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and self-governance.

While revolutionary rhetoric promised radical change, reality often fell short. Slavery, gender inequality, and economic disparities persisted in varying degrees across these newly formed societies, highlighting the complex nature of social and political transformation.

Revolutionary Movements in America, France, and Haiti

American, French, and Haitian Revolutions

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• American Revolution (1765-1783)
  • Colonists challenged British authority due to:
    • Taxation without representation such as the Stamp Act which required printed materials to bear an embossed revenue stamp, and the Tea Act which gave the British East India Company a monopoly on tea sales
    • Perceived threats to colonial autonomy and self-governance as the British government sought to assert greater control over the colonies
  • Key events: Boston Tea Party where colonists dumped tea into the harbor in protest, Declaration of Independence proclaiming the colonies' sovereignty, Revolutionary War fought between the colonies and Britain
• French Revolution (1789-1799)
  • French citizens challenged the absolute monarchy and feudal system
    • Inspired by Enlightenment ideals emphasizing individual rights and the American Revolution's success in overthrowing British rule
    • Driven by economic inequality, heavy taxation burdening the lower classes, and food shortages leading to widespread hunger
  • Key events: Storming of the Bastille prison symbolizing the revolution's start, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen outlining fundamental rights, Reign of Terror marked by mass executions of perceived enemies
• Haitian Revolution (1791-1804)
  • Enslaved Africans and free people of color challenged French colonial rule
    • Inspired by the French Revolution's ideals of liberty and equality for all people
    • Fought against slavery and racial discrimination that denied basic rights to the African population
  • Key events: Uprising led by Toussaint L'Ouverture who organized the rebels, Declaration of Independence asserting Haiti's autonomy, Battle of Vertières securing victory over the French

Enlightenment Ideals

• Enlightenment ideals
  • Natural rights: life, liberty, and property (or pursuit of happiness) are inherent to all individuals
  • Social contract theory: government derives power from the consent of the governed, not divine right
  • Separation of powers into executive, legislative, and judicial branches and checks and balances to prevent tyranny
  • Religious tolerance allowing individuals to practice their faith freely and freedom of expression to voice opinions
• American Revolution
  • Declaration of Independence echoed Enlightenment principles by asserting the colonies' right to self-governance
  • Constitution and Bill of Rights enshrined individual liberties like freedom of speech and limited government power through federalism
• French Revolution
  • Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen emphasized equality before the law, liberty from arbitrary rule, and popular sovereignty vesting power in the people
  • Abolished feudalism by ending hereditary aristocracy and promoted a more representative government through a legislative assembly
• Haitian Revolution
  • Demanded the application of French revolutionary ideals to all people, regardless of race, by abolishing slavery and racial hierarchy
  • Established the first independent black republic and abolished slavery, putting Enlightenment principles into practice

Persisting Inequalities

• American Revolution
  • Rhetoric: "All men are created equal" and have unalienable rights as stated in the Declaration of Independence
  • Reality: Slavery persisted as a legal institution, women and non-property owning men were excluded from political participation like voting
• French Revolution
  • Rhetoric: "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité" (Liberty, Equality, Fraternity) as the revolution's slogan
  • Reality: Women's rights were not fully addressed as they were still subordinate to men, slavery continued in French colonies like Saint-Domingue (Haiti)
• Haitian Revolution
  • Rhetoric: Universal application of revolutionary ideals, abolition of slavery to establish a society of equals
  • Reality: Economic and political instability due to the destruction from war, international isolation as nations refused to recognize Haiti, and internal divisions between the black and mulatto populations persisted