On the Eve of a New World Order – Democratic Revolutions

England

Popular Tudors followed by StuartsJames I and Charles I unpopular Divine right Friendship with Catholic Spain Ruled without Parliament Imprisoned people without trial

England

Parliament issues the Petition of Right Cannot levy taxes without

Parliament’s consent Can’t imprison people without a

specific charge (habeas corpus) Could not quarter (house) troops in

private homes without consent

English Civil War

Conflict between Stuarts and Parliament (dominated by Puritans)Charles I beheadedParliament winsOliver Cromwell rules England Dictatorship Puritan intolerance of Anglicanism Severe Puritan moral code

English Civil War

Cromwell dies, Stuarts rule again“Restoration” of the StuartsCharles II new king but makes reforms Pledges to observe Magna Carta (kings

do NOT have unlimited power) and Petition of Right

Habeas Corpus Act – no arrest without court order

Must be charged, can have bail

English Civil War

James II antagonizes Parliament againThe Glorious RevolutionParliament offers the crown to William and MaryBloodless revolution – restores peace to EnglandBill of Rights passedToleration Act passed (religious freedom)

Democratic Revolutions

Earlier democratic reforms in England with the Glorious RevolutionDemocratic traditions long part of English history Magna Carta - 1215 Jury System Parliament Common Law Petition of Right

American Revolution

Neglected colonies for 150 years (Salutary Neglect)Mercantilism – favorable trade for GBFrench and Indian War (7 Year’s War) – GB v. France for control of N. AmericaEngland wins N. America from the French – new restrictions and taxes to pay for the warChanges our relationship with England foreverFirst Continental Congress - Colonial defiance and resistance – demonstrations, boycotts, protests, committees, Boston Tea PartyColonies had all been separate

American Revolution cont.

April 1775, Lexington & Concord – First shots (“heard around the world”)2nd Continental Congress:George Washington in commandDeclaration of Independence (1776) by Thomas Jefferson – based on Enlightenment ideas of Locke, Rousseau, etc.1781 - Americans defeat British (Cornwallis surrenders to Washington) win independence

American Revolution cont.

Articles of Confederation – first government (weak, couldn’t tax, raise and army, regulate trade, etc.) Why?Philadelphia – went to revise ArticlesNew government entirely – Constitution Separation of powers

Legislative – makes laws Executive – enforces laws Judicial – interprets laws

American Revolution cont.

Checks and balances – each branch limits the others (veto, appointments, controlling $)Bicameral – 2 house legislature Senate – 2 per state (total 100) House of Representatives – based on

population (total 435)

American Revolution cont.

Not approved until Bill of Rights addedFirst 10 amendments to the Constitution 1 – speech, press, religion, assembly,

petition 2 – bear arms 3 – no quartering of troops 4 – no unreasonable searches & seizures

Amendments cont.

5 – Rights of the accused Grand jury, no double jeopardy, no self-

incrimination, can’t take property without compensation

6 – Rights of the accused Speedy and public trial, impartial jury,

informed of the charges, confront witnesses, lawyer

7 – Jury trial in civil suit (over $20)8 – No unreasonable fine, punishment, bailOnly 27 total amendments in over 200 years!

The French Revolution – Political and Social Upheaval

1% - Clergy2% - Nobility

97% - Everyone

Else

Doctors, Lawyers, Merchants, (Bourgeoisie)

Peasants, Serfs, etc.

The French Revolution

Fundamental causes – Abuses of the Old RegimeKing Louis XVI ruled by divine rightMinisters selected by favoritism, not abilityCensored press and speechLettres de cachet – imprisoned enemies indefinitely w/out charge, trial, bailPeople had no voice in government

Causes cont.

3 distinct classes - EstatesFirst – clergySecond – nobilityThird – the rest (bourgeoisie – bankers, manufacturers, professionals, city workers, peasants – made up 97% of the population!)1st and 2nd estates owned most land, power, held best jobs, exempt from most taxes

Causes cont.Enlightenment ideas spread new views on gov’t. power & authority (Am. Rev. also)Louis XVI spent vast sums of money on Versailles, helping Americans in RevolutionInflation, poor harvestsWeak king who failed to act Forced to call Estates General (legislature) – he needs $$$$$ 1st had 300 representatives 2nd had 300 representatives 3rd had 600 representatives

Causes & RevolutionVoted by Estate not by numbers so vote was always 2 to 1Third Estate brings cahiers – grievances to the kingThe Revolution begins – liberte’, egalite’, fraternite’ Third Estate declares themselves a

National Assembly; locked out of meeting hall

Tennis Court Oath – pledged a constitution

Revolution

Bastille is destroyed (7/14/89) – hated symbol of the Old Regime (French independence day)Great Fear sweeps countryside; uprisingsNational Assembly abolishes special privilegesDeclaration of the Rights of Man (from England and American history)Church lands broken up and sold to peasantsAbolished Church tithes, guaranteed freedom of religionConstitution of 1791 – Legislative Assembly would pass laws (Constitutional Monarchy)

Revolution cont.

Emigres (nobles who had fled France)Sans-culottes (shopkeepers/wage-earners who wanted more voice in gov.)All struggled to influence politics; led to violenceCoalition and war against France: Austria, GB, Holland, Spain, PrussiaNational Convention (new gov) 1792 – Monarchy abolished & Republic declared

Revolution – The Terror

Girondists (moderates) vs. Jacobins (radicals) (Maximilien Robespierre, Marat, Danton)Louis XVI is tried for treason, executed by guillotine (along with Marie Antoinette)Robespierre emerges - Committee of Public Safety (Jacobins); radical, extremist groupReign of Terror - all enemies crushed; mass executions by guillotine; lost supportReaction: Convention executes Robespierre New Constitution – Directory created (moderate)

Robespierre

The Guillotine

Napoleon Bonaparte

Had gained fame as military leaderCoup d’etat – swift overthrow of government; declares himself Consul for Life 17991804 - Declared himself Emperor NapoleonConcordat w/ Church; recognizes Catholicism as majority religionCentralized local government under his authority; local officials answered to him; more efficient

Napoleon

Accomplishments

Economic reforms: revamped tax collection, price controls, encouraged industryFurthered public educationConcordat w/Church – official religionNapoleonic Code – legal code that included certain civil rights (jury, etc.) religious toleration, promotion based on meritWomen lose rightsLegion of Honor to recognize distinguished military careersPublic works (roads, bridges, etc.)

Napoleon’s Downfall - Wars

Coalition (Britain, Austria, Russia vs. France)British victory at Trafalgar destroys French fleet & prevents invasion of EnglandContinental System – attempt to prevent British trade with Europe (blockade)Sells Louisiana Territory to U.S. (Jefferson)Invaded Russia – Russians retreated, French lines too far extended, Russians destroyed and burned everything “scorched earth.”

Napoleon cont.

French forced to retreat; lost ¾ of his armyDefeated by Russia, Prussia, AustriaAbdicates throne; exiled to Elba Louis XVIII becomes King of FranceEscapes and returns after 100 daysDefeated at Waterloo (Belgium) by Duke of Wellington & coalitionExiled to St. Helena where he died