Transcript 1600`s European Politics

1600’s European Politics
Absolutism in France, Prussia, Russia,
Austria-Hungary
England different story-Civil War1640’s,
Oliver Cromwell, Glorious Revolution
1680’s
Scientific Revolution
Copernicus, Galileo, Newton, Harvey,
Leewenoek, Bacon, Descartes
 New focus on scientific method
thesis, observation, generalization
All of human activities can be
rationally studied
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1700’s Music associated with
Enlightenment
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George Handel (Messiah) famous
every Christmas and Johann
Sebastian Bach both composers early
in century
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Franz
Haydn represent what we now
associate with classical music 2nd half
of 1700’s
Political Enlightenment
Montesquieu, Voltaire, Adam Smith,
Rousseau, Diderot (Encyclopedia)
 Some question whether slavery fits in
enlightenment and question of women’s
role is asked.
 Wollstonecraft-Vindication of the Rights of
women-idea of reason inside every human
why women different?
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Locke and Hobbes
Thomas Hobbes writes Leviathan arguing in
innate evil of mankind. Humans need strong
control or chaos will reign. Strong national and
central and powerful governments run lives of
people need. Powerful leader.
 John Locke Two Treatises of Government people
naturally good let them run their own affairshave government that does little and allows for
extensive liberty and freedom. Government
exists by the consent of the Governed. All
people have natural rights-Govts. Job to protect
those rights
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Interpretations of American
Revolutions in History
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Conservative Revolution
or not much of a Rev.
Same political class still in
control
Economic change very
little capitalism in effect
wealthy still the wealthyAmerica still trades raw
materials to Europe
Social- slavery still in
effect, women still
treated as secondary
citizens
How much has changed?
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Liberal or dramatic
Revolution
Stream of Revolution
once started does not
stop
Political thought totally
transformed power in the
hands of the people
Growing democracy
No ingrained social
classes
Economic opportunity for
all
American Revolution in World
History
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1776 Huge date in world history
Transforms Government- power totally in
hands of governed heading us toward a
more democratic vision
Economically destroyed aristocracy as had
been understood in western world for 2
millenia
Socially changed-way people are
connected to one another more egalitarian
History
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13 colonies each with distinctive personality, religious
background, ethnic makeup, etc.
Tiny group of 2 mill. In wilderness,frontier
1760’s overwhelmingly proud of being English or at least
protected by English rights
Understanding of English rights with British government
at issue
For example economically should they be able to trade
with anyone in world or restricted (mercantilism) and
who has final power to run affairs of colonists (House of
Burgesses or Parliament?)
History Cont.
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French and Indian War in North America 1760’s
part of larger European conflict between Great
Britain and Prussia vs. France, Russia and
Austria-Hungary
N. American outcome French defeated kicked
out of N.America- British Government needs
money and looks to their American colonies
Stamp Act, Declaratory Act, Boston Massacre,
Boston Tea Party, Intolerable Acts, Continental
Congress, Lexington Green 1765-1775
War
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War lasts 1775-1783
Weak colonial effort against strong
superpower of world
Fighting in Mass, New York, N.Jersey, Pa.,
S. Carolina, N.Carolina finally in Virginia
French assist helped Americans win victory
Declaration of Independence and
U.S. Constitution
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D of I written in 1776
Constitution in 1787
Country incorporates ideas of greek
democracy, roman republicanism, English
personal rights, enlightenment ideals
United States born of enlightenment as
great experiment of age
Enlightenment Ideas in U.S.
Founding Documents
1789
• American President Washington
inaugurated in NYC and Constitution goes
into effect
• Tennis court oath
• Beginning of French Revolution
• Three orders of people in France and most
of Europe
• First estate (clergy), second estate
(nobility or aristocracy (wealthy leading
positions in government, military, courts),
third estate (commoners of society
peasants, wage earners in cities,
bourgeoisie (professional people)
• Dramatic class difference/class
revolution
Problems in France
• Debt from wars, frustration with tax
policies, anger at governmental
favortism toward first and second
estates
• Symbolic beginning with mob
destroying the Bastille July 1789
• Revolution starts off with
enlightenment ideals-equal rights for
all, end of aristocratic privilege,
powerful legislative body, freedom of
speech and press
Other Countries Reactions
to French Revolution
• Prussia, Austria Hungary fear spread
of revolution go to war with Rev.
France
• Eventually most of Europe against
France
• Wars of French revolution opened
door to total war of modern world
and modern idea of nationalism
Radicalization of
Revolution
King Louis XVI executed in 1793
• Committee of Public Safety (Orwellian) set
up to protect Republic from internal
enemies
• Thousands guillotined Robespierre leader
of CPS effort eventually guillotined
perception of Revolution as out of control
• Effort to strip Christianity out of life;
Notre Dame named Temple of
Reason, Sundays ended, Sept. 22,
1792 beginning of calendar
Coup D’Etat
• Napoleon successful military
figure during revolution provides
strong leader for France
• Turns back tide of Revolution by
basically being absolute leader
of country Consul for life,
Emperor Napoleon I
• Napoleon famous for civil code
of laws still influences France
and French colonial world today
Napoleon as military
leader
• France vs. Spain, Great Britain,
Russia, Austria-Hungary, Prussia
• Grand empire- Napoleon at height of
world power 1803-1812 controls
most of central Europe
• French viewed as oppressors and
rising nationalism amongst European
ethnicities lead to strong resistance
• French can never defeat British and
attempt to invade Russia defeated
by winter in 1812
• Waterloo 1815 after Napoleon
returns to power
Contrast of American and French
Revolutions