Overview
This lecture covers major global events from the late 18th century to the late 20th century, including revolutions, industrialization, imperialism, world wars, independence movements, and the concept of genocide.
Atlantic Revolutions & French Revolution
- The Atlantic Revolutions promoted democracy and challenged monarchies in the Americas and Europe.
- The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen emphasized liberty, equality, and human rights during the French Revolution.
- The guillotine symbolized both equality and violence during the French Revolution's Reign of Terror.
- King Louis XVI resisted reforms, was executed during the revolution, marking the monarchy's end.
- Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power, failed to regain control over Haiti, and was part of the era's revolutionary changes.
- The Haitian Revolution was the first successful slave revolt, creating the first Black republic, Haiti, in 1804.
- Saint Domingue was a wealthy French slave colony, where harsh conditions led to the Haitian Revolution.
Industrial Revolution
- The Industrial Revolution involved rapid changes as machines and factories transformed production, work, and urban life.
- The cottage industry involved home-based hand production; factories and machines later replaced this.
- The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain due to resources, labor, innovation, and empire.
- Urbanization led to rapid, poorly planned city growth with poor living conditions.
- The factory system centralized and increased production efficiency, changing labor structure.
- Factory work was harsh, unsafe, and underpaid, leading to demands for reform.
- Child labor was common, dangerous, and eventually restricted by law.
- Capitalism, based on private ownership and profit, expanded rapidly with industrialization.
- Adam Smith argued for free markets and minimal government in promoting prosperity.
- Communism opposes capitalism, seeking communal ownership and social equality.
- Karl Marx predicted workers would overthrow capitalism to establish communism.
- Socialism promotes government or communal control of key industries to reduce inequality.
Imperialism & Its Consequences
- Imperialism is control over other regions to gain power, land, and resources.
- Cultural motives led colonizers to impose their culture on others.
- Economic motives drove countries to seek raw materials and new markets.
- The balance of power and nationalism fueled the imperial race among European nations.
- Social Darwinism justified imperial domination by claiming some groups were superior.
- The Berlin Conference divided Africa without input from Africans, fueling conflict.
- King Leopold II exploited the Congo for personal gain, causing immense suffering.
- Imperialism disrupted societies, exploited resources, and caused long-term instability.
Imperialism in India, Japan, and China
- British imperial control in India was first through the East India Company, then direct rule after the Sepoy Mutiny.
- The Sepoy Mutiny was a failed 1857 rebellion over cultural and religious issues, leading to direct British rule.
- Japan avoided colonization by rapidly industrializing during the Meiji Restoration, later becoming an imperial power.
- Matthew Perry's arrival forced Japan to open to trade and modernization.
- Imperialism in China weakened the Qing Dynasty and led to unequal treaties, social unrest, and the Opium Wars.
- The Boxer Rebellion was an anti-foreigner uprising in China, crushed by foreign armies.
World War I & Its Aftermath
- Militarism, nationalism, alliances, and the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand caused World War I.
- The war caused immense destruction, ended empires, punished Germany, and changed global power structures.
- The Russian Revolution ended tsarist rule and created the communist Soviet Union.
- Decolonization after WWII saw colonies in Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean gain independence.
Independence Movements: India & South Africa
- India gained independence in 1947 through nonviolent resistance led by Mahatma Gandhi.
- Jawaharlal Nehru became India's first Prime Minister, shaping modern India.
- Partition divided India and Pakistan along religious lines, causing violence and displacement.
- Apartheid in South Africa enforced strict racial segregation and discrimination.
- Afrikaners, descendants of Dutch settlers, established and enforced apartheid policies.
- Nelson Mandela led the movement to end apartheid and became South Africa's first Black president.
Rwanda & Genocide
- Rwanda's 1994 genocide saw mass killing of Tutsi by extremist Hutu groups.
- Genocide is the systematic killing of a group based on ethnicity, religion, or nationality.
- The Hutu majority and Tutsi minority experienced deep-seated ethnic tensions.
- The stages of genocide range from group classification to extermination and denial.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Atlantic Revolutions — Series of uprisings promoting democracy and human rights.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man — French Revolution-era document asserting liberty and equality.
- Guillotine — Execution device and symbol of revolutionary violence.
- Haitian Revolution — First successful slave revolt, leading to Haiti’s independence.
- Industrial Revolution — Era of rapid industrial and technological change.
- Capitalism — Economic system based on private property and free markets.
- Communism — System advocating communal ownership and classless society.
- Imperialism — Control and exploitation of foreign territories.
- Social Darwinism — Belief that some groups are naturally superior, used to justify imperialism.
- Militarism, Nationalism, Alliances — Key causes of World War I.
- Genocide — Systematic killing of a group based on identity.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and memorize key terms and their significance.
- Prepare for quiz on causes and effects of revolutions, imperialism, and world conflicts.
- Read primary documents: Declaration of Rights of Man, excerpts from The Communist Manifesto, and Gandhi’s speeches.