The Modern Period, c. 1750 to c. 1914: Content Summary 5.2: Effects of Atlantic Revolutions

Colonial opposition against the British was initially divided, but advocates for complete independence from Britain eventually prevailed.

Colonial opposition against the British was initially divided, but advocates for complete independence from Britain eventually prevailed.

Self-liberated slaves in Haiti were inspired by the ideals of the American and French revolutions and initiated an anticolonial struggle against France in 1791.

By 1804 the Haitian Revolution had established an independent republic and abolished slavery.

By 1804 the Haitian Revolution had established an independent republic and abolished slavery.

Elite Creole leaders in Latin America were inspired by similar ideals to seek greater colonial autonomy within the Iberian empires.

Due to a lack of political participation, the republics established in Latin America remained largely authoritarian, preserved the role of the Catholic Church, and maintained social and racial hierarchies.

Due to a lack of political participation, the republics established in Latin America remained largely authoritarian, preserved the role of the Catholic Church, and maintained social and racial hierarchies.

In late 18th-century France, Enlightenment thinkers challenged the privileges of the Catholic Church and the aristocracy, an emergent bourgeoisie (middle class) sought a greater role in French politics, and the authority and prestige of the monarchy was undermined by corruption and debt.

These developments converged to bring about the French Revolution in 1789.

While the initial phases of the revolution established a moderate constitutional monarchy, revolutionary leaders increasingly embraced more radical changes, such as abolishing the monarchy, granting universal male suffrage, and conducting a “Reign of Terror,” which disproportionately targeted nobles and clergy.

While the initial phases of the revolution established a moderate constitutional monarchy, revolutionary leaders increasingly embraced more radical changes, such as abolishing the monarchy, granting universal male suffrage, and conducting a “Reign of Terror,” which disproportionately targeted nobles and clergy.

While the initial phases of the revolution established a moderate constitutional monarchy, revolutionary leaders increasingly embraced more radical changes, such as abolishing the monarchy, granting universal male suffrage, and conducting a “Reign of Terror,” which disproportionately targeted nobles and clergy.

This appeased the working classes of France but threatened the monarchs of Europe, leading other European powers to declare war on revolutionary France.

While Napoleon quashed the more radical reforms of the revolution, his empire implemented moderate reforms throughout continental Europe.

The Napoleonic Code, which diminished clerical and landed privileges, continued as the basis of French law.

Rising nationalism led to unified German and Italian states, but it destabilized ethnically diverse states like the Ottoman, Austrian, and Russian empires.

Rising nationalism led to unified German and Italian states, but it destabilized ethnically diverse states like the Ottoman, Austrian, and Russian empires.

Republicanism as a common political ideology was another product of the revolutions, and subjects of monarchies began pushing for more participatory forms of government.

Republicanism as a common political ideology was another product of the revolutions, and subjects of monarchies began pushing for more participatory forms of government.

The growing Western middle class supported liberalism, which sought to legally protect individual liberties and property rights and outlaw clerical and social privilege.

As a reaction to liberalism and republicanism, conservatism emerged.