Unit 4: Absolutism & Enlightenment & Revolution
Absolutism
During the period from 1750-1914, the world saw a lot of major changes around the globe. As Europeans began to experience the wealth of the Age of Exploration, the Absolute Monarch’s power expanded. During the Enlightenment, which started in the 18th century, European thinkers began to question rule by absolute monarchs and suggested new government models based upon natural rights, individual liberty, democracy, and separation of powers.
Revolution
In the 18th century, Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke inspired Americans to demand independence from Britain, French citizens to overthrow and execute their king, and citizens in Haiti and Latin America to break away from their European colonizers. New liberal ideals like democracy and liberty led to independent nations in America. In France, a failed attempt at democracy led to the rise of Napoleon and a European war of conquest. After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, conservative forces at the Congress of Vienna restored traditional monarchies in many European nations. The conflict between liberal and conservative ideas increased nationalism in Europe and the unification of two new nations: Italy and Germany.
Industry
In the 19th century, major developments changed the world. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain and spread to other nations, like the USA, Germany, and Japan. The new factory system led to mass production of goods, urbanization, new forms of transportation, terrible working conditions, unions, and new economic ideas, like socialism.
Absolutism
During the period from 1750-1914, the world saw a lot of major changes around the globe. As Europeans began to experience the wealth of the Age of Exploration, the Absolute Monarch’s power expanded. During the Enlightenment, which started in the 18th century, European thinkers began to question rule by absolute monarchs and suggested new government models based upon natural rights, individual liberty, democracy, and separation of powers.
Revolution
In the 18th century, Enlightenment philosophers like John Locke inspired Americans to demand independence from Britain, French citizens to overthrow and execute their king, and citizens in Haiti and Latin America to break away from their European colonizers. New liberal ideals like democracy and liberty led to independent nations in America. In France, a failed attempt at democracy led to the rise of Napoleon and a European war of conquest. After Napoleon’s defeat in 1815, conservative forces at the Congress of Vienna restored traditional monarchies in many European nations. The conflict between liberal and conservative ideas increased nationalism in Europe and the unification of two new nations: Italy and Germany.
Industry
In the 19th century, major developments changed the world. The Industrial Revolution began in Britain and spread to other nations, like the USA, Germany, and Japan. The new factory system led to mass production of goods, urbanization, new forms of transportation, terrible working conditions, unions, and new economic ideas, like socialism.