The Age of Revolutions: Shaping Modern Nations and Society

The American Revolution: An Enlightenment Victory

Struggle for Independence (1775-1783)

Thirteen British colonies on the Atlantic coast of North America fought for independence from Great Britain between 1775 and 1783. Key causes included:

• Ideological: Enlightenment ideals of equality and liberty formed the basis of the independence movement.
• Political: Colonists lacked representation in the British Parliament, leading to laws and taxes imposed without their consent.
• Socio-economic: The burgeoning middle-class colonists desired greater control over their commercial activities and strongly opposed taxation without representation.

The war erupted when colonists refused to pay taxes and began to arm themselves. Great Britain ordered armed forces to suppress the rebellion in 1775. The colonists famously proclaimed the Declaration of Independence of the USA on July 4, 1776. Great Britain officially recognized the new nation in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris, signed by King George III.

Founding the United States

The U.S. Constitution, written in 1787, established a federal republic based on popular sovereignty. While it recognized equality for citizens, suffrage was initially limited to male citizens with a certain amount of wealth.

In 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States, with the capital initially located in Philadelphia. Key Founding Fathers instrumental in the Constitution and Independence included Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Benjamin Franklin.

As part of the broader peace settlements, Spain regained Florida and Menorca, while ceding the Bahamas to Great Britain.

Historical Context and Early Settlements

• In the early 17th century, pilgrims from England, notably aboard the Mayflower in 1620, arrived and established settlements in areas like Plymouth (Massachusetts), later expanding to Maryland and Virginia, becoming the first pioneers.
• In 1624, the Dutch founded New Amsterdam, which was later ceded to the English in 1664 and renamed New York.
• Throughout the 18th century, conflicts between Great Britain and France, such as the Seven Years' War, culminated in the Treaty of Paris in 1763.

The Boston Tea Party (1773)

Great Britain's increased taxes on tea led to the infamous event where colonists, disguised as Native Americans, dumped tea into Boston Harbor. In 1775, Paul Revere's ride signaled the start of armed conflict.

The Dawn of the Contemporary Era: The French Revolution

The outbreak of the French Revolution in 1789 marked the definitive beginning of the Contemporary Era. Prior to this, enlightened despotism had largely failed to implement the necessary political, social, and economic changes proposed by Enlightenment thinkers. Consequently, in 1789, these changes were violently imposed by revolutionaries, often against the wishes of the monarchy.

Revolutionaries profoundly transformed the lives of the populace, introducing new customs such as voting. Art movements like Neoclassicism and Romanticism reflected these societal shifts.

The French Revolution's famous slogan was . Revolutionaries added"or Deat" to emphasize their commitment to these ideals. This motto has endured, appearing on 20th-century French coins and even in the introduction of the Euro.

Transition from Ancien Régime to New Regime