Chapter 21: Revolutions in the Atlantic World

Optional Reading Questions

American Independence Revolution

  1. There were several causes for the revolution in France and the revolts against colonial rule in North and South America and Haiti. How did these issues, especially, cause these revolutions?
  2. Debt from Wars
  3. Enlightenment Ideas
  4. The Emerging Middle Class
  5. Attempts to Consolidate Power by Monarchs
  6. The British tried to stop American settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains in 1763 and also tried to get money to pay for war debt by raising taxes. How did these contribute to American colonists feeling dissatisfied with British rule? What about mercantilist economic policies?
  7. What role did France play in helping the US Colonials win the war for independence from Britain?
  8. Describe the government of the early AmericanRepublic, specific in terms of who had rights.

French Reforming Revolution

  1. Carefully describe French social hierarchy before the revolution in 1789. Include:
  2. 1st Estate
  3. 2nd Estate
  4. 3rd Estate
  5. What important role did French war debts play in the revolution, specifically in getting the king to call the Estates General. Define Estates General.
  6. Describe the National Assembly and the important actions they took.
  7. How did the French Revolution go from being a moderate reform for Constitutional Monarchy to becoming the “Reign of Terror?”
  8. Define Robespierre and Committee of Public Safety.
  9. For what reasons did Napoleon take control of France pretty easily?
  10. Describe the important activities of Napoleon including
  11. Declaring himself emperor
  12. Issuing the Civil (Napoleonic) Code
  13. Conquering continental Europe
  14. How was Napoleon and the French European Empire finally defeated?

Haitian Revolution & Slave Rebellion

  1. Describe Haiti (Saint Domingue) during the colonial period.
  2. What did whites on the island want during the French revolution? Why was their conflict between rich whites and normal-status whites? What was the relationship to Africans on the island?
  3. Who was L’Oeverture? What happened when the French tried to retake the colony?

Congress of Vienna and Conservative Backlash Against Crazy Revolutionaries

  1. What was the Congress of Vienna and what did old-school European rulers try to do there?
  2. Desires for a more democratic type of government did not go away after Napoleon’s defeat and the return of old monarchs? What are examples of this?