Foundations of Modern Governance: Revolutions and Enlightenment Theory
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The American Revolution (AR)
Key Events and Dates
- July 4, 1776: The 13 colonies declared independence. Thomas Jefferson wrote the declaration.
- The war lasted until September 3, 1783.
The Boston Tea Party Context
Factors leading to the Boston Tea Party included:
- King George III and British policies.
- Imposition of taxes without representation.
- Desire for self-government and representative rule.
- Concerns over profit and trade control.
The 13 Colonies
Virginia, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Maryland (and others).
The French Revolution (FR)
Causes and Early Events
In 1789, Louis XVI spent a lot of money on wars and consequently demanded high taxes from the populace.
- May 5, 1789: The Estates General met.
- July 14, 1789: The Storming of the Bastille.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
Timeline of the Revolution
- Constitutional Monarchy
- National Convention
- The Republic was proclaimed by the Convention.
- Execution of Louis XVI
- Jacobins in Power (Radical Phase)
- Robespierre’s Dictatorship and the Committee of Public Safety
- The Consulate
- The Directory
- Napoleon (Emperor in 1804)
Political Factions and Government
The Directory (1795–1799)
The Directory was a moderate republican government, succeeding the radical phase. They established a more moderate constitution and managed to bring peace to France. It was abolished after a coup d'état by Napoleon.
Girondins and Jacobins
- Girondins: Moderate republicans.
- Jacobins: More radical. The Jacobins wanted to implement changes faster and more extensively.
Enlightenment Thinkers and Political Theory
Montesquieu: Separation of Powers
Montesquieu was the first to articulate in detail the doctrine of the Separation of Powers. This theory posits that liberty is best protected when government distributes executive, legislative, and judicial power among three branches so that no single branch controls all three.
Detailed Breakdown of Power Separation
This structure contrasts the modern democratic model with the historical monarchical model:
| Branch | Modern Democratic Model | Historical Monarchical Model (King's Council) |
|---|---|---|
| Legislative | Congress, Senate (writes legislation and laws) | A King's Council (writes legislation and laws) |
| Executive | Government, President, Ministers (apply the laws) | Governmental (King, Chancellor, Secretary of State) appropriated by the King (applies laws and legislation) |
| Judiciary | The High Court, Judges (judge with reference to the written laws) | High Court (appropriated by King and Council) (judges with reference to the written laws) |
Rousseau: Consent of the Governed
Rousseau wrote that government can only obtain authority over the people if the people themselves consent to that authority.
Sieyès: Demands for Representation
Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès made three famous demands in his pamphlet. He argued that the Estates General should be elected on a one-person, one-vote basis.
The Rise of Napoleon
Napoleon was born in Corsica. He became Emperor in 1804.
European Powers (Contextual)
Other major powers mentioned:
- Ottoman Empire
- Prussia
- Austrian Empire
- Grand Duchy of Warsaw