Revolutions Lecture Notes

Introduction

Nationalism: Sense of commonality based on shared language, religion, customs, often linked with a desire for territory.
Historically, large empires had diverse peoples (e.g., Ottoman, Mongol Empires).
Shift towards people wanting their own territory and self-rule based on shared culture and history.
States leveraged nationalism for unity (e.g., Russian language policy in territorial holdings).
Backfire: Counter-nationalism in regions like Ukraine, Poland, Finland.

General rejection of authority worldwide.
Example: Safavid Empire faced rebellion due to harsh taxes; led to its decline.
Wahhabi movement sought to reform Islam in the Ottoman Empire, contributing to its decline.

Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu) introduced popular sovereignty.
Popular sovereignty: Power in the hands of the people, implying democratic governance.
Liberalism: Emphasis on civil rights, representative government, private property protection, economic freedom.

British colonies in North America developed independently due to distance.
Post-Seven Years' War, Britain imposed taxes to recover war debts, leading to colonial unrest.
Adoption of Enlightenment principles; Declaration of Independence emphasized popular sovereignty, natural rights.
Victory with French help; establishment of the United States in 1783.

Influence from American Revolution; French soldiers brought democratic ideals home.
Discontent with absolutist monarchy (Louis XVI); financial issues post-war.
Establishment of a republic; Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen championed natural rights, popular sovereignty.

Haiti: Prosperous French colony; majority enslaved black population inspired by French Revolutionary ideals.
Led by Toussaint Louverture; successful revolt led to establishment of a republic and the first black government.

Influenced by Enlightenment ideas; resentment against Spanish and Portuguese control.
Creoles (European heritage born in Americas) led the movement against Peninsulares (born in Europe).
Napoleon's invasion of Spain destabilized political situation, leading to revolutions.
Leaders like Simón Bolívar advocated for self-rule, popular sovereignty.
Series of wars led to independence and formation of republican governments.

Spanish colony with racial hierarchy; education controlled by Spanish.
Wealthy Filipinos absorbed European nationalist, Enlightenment ideas at universities.
Published ideas led to suppression by Spanish authorities; sparked Philippine Revolution.

Nationalism inspired unification of fragmented Italian and German states.
Military leaders used nationalism to inspire unification under single governments.
Achieved through diplomacy and military tactics.

Nationalism as a factor in revolutions and other movements for self-rule and unification.
Encouragement to continue studying and reviewing for further understanding of unit topics.