Revolutions in the Atlantic World. 18 th and 19 th C. change in America, France and Caribbean

Transcription

1 Revolutions in the Atlantic World 18 th and 19 th C. change in America, France and Caribbean

2 The Atlantic World c.1713

3 (Independent) United States 1783

4 United States c.1812

5 United States Post Revolution Two Points to Remember (from last lecture): 1783 government product of new constitution but hardly revolutionary remained in hands of privileged, wealthy men of European origin economy remained rooted in Atlantic shipping, New England raw materials, northern industry (including textiles) and southern cotton

6 United States Post Revolution Two Points to Remember (from last lecture): Growing investment in cotton growing, spinning, weaving entrenched use of slave labour (also tobacco, rice) legal slave trade (Atlantic imports) extended to 1808 Fugitive Slave Laws enacted 1793 (again 1850) Slave States (where slavery legal) increased in number steadily ( Growth in Slave States, Resources)

7 Slave Population US c.1790

8 US in the Atlantic World These factors shaped US involvement with the other two Revolutions said to shape the Atlantic World: French Revolution Haitian Revolution ( Saint Domingue )

9 French Revolution (Text) says French Revolution was like the American Revolution in that it undermined traditional monarchy and hereditary aristocracy but did not create enduring institutions We must disagree: American Revolution left both monarchy and aristocracy firmly in place In Britain; America was originally 13 colonies not a monarchy/aristocracy in and of itself

10 French Revolution French Revolution was revolutionary: it did succeed in overthrowing the Ancien Régime [old regime consisting of a monarchy and hereditary aristocracy] The question was: what was to replace it?

11 French Revolution : Grievances of vast majority [97%] of population ( The Third Estate First being Clergy, Second Nobility) similar to those heard in America 1770s: King seeking to resolve financial problems by instituting new taxes overwhelmingly levied on poorest of people Third Estate denied representative voice complaints not heard Broke away: established own National Assembly

12 French Revolution July 1789: threats by King to forcibly shut down Assembly provoked looting, riots in Paris July 14, mob stormed Bastille (Fortress Prison): symbol of King s authority, also stored weapons; handful prisoners released violence spread throughout country

13 Storming of the Bastille

14 French Revolution August 1789: passed The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen influenced by Thomas Jefferson (US Ambassador in Paris) language spoke to liberty and property (like US Constitution) but also resistance to oppression, freedom of expression, equality before the law

15 Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (1798)

16 French Revolution : events drew France into war with neighbours : The Terror King executed, along with members clergy Royalists purged Britain, Spain joined war against France

17 French Revolution New Declaration Proposed (never official): extended rights of 1789 document to work, public assistance, education, equality Revolutionary Tribunal instituted price controls on food (to help the poor) introduced new Calendar, new concept of time use of guillotine became symbol of revolution

18 Robespierre (leader of The Terror) Executing his Principal Executioner [comment on engraving being that the Head Executioner was Himself Executed when there was No One Else left ]

19 French Revolution Reaction to Revolution: new regime short lived domestic resistance to violence supported by external forces Robespierre s allies destroyed July 1794 Robespierre himself executed

20 French Revolution Reaction to Revolution: reforms quickly undermined first price controls removed, then popular demonstrations made illegal Church/Clergy re instated with Power (state kept property New Constitution: protected property reduced voice/power of masses

21 French Revolution :military leader named Napoleon seized power by force established authoritarian regime (Text) speaks of popular authoritarianism, Napoleon taming democratic legacy no. He was a military dictator, nothing popular about his authoritarianism. Any democracy long ago lost to the excesses of the Terror and the Reaction.

22 French Revolution Intent: to bring discussion of French Revolution into same rhetoric as American Revolution point is that a Revolution DID occur in France but there was no consensus on what the New Society would look like unlike US, France also operating under attack as other European monarchies sought to have old regime replaced revolution was threat to them

23 US and French Revolution French Revolution had major impact on Atlantic World through influence in US: (Text) suggests parallels, influences between two radical, revolutionary peoples in fact almost the opposite initial hopes that a democractic France would be new ally against (old) monarchical enemy, Britain quickly dashed with onset of The Terror

24 US and French Revolution Americans fearful of true revolution, especially based on (seemingly) arbitrary violence foreigners under suspicion, being arrested: Thomas Paine among them (British origin) when Britain joined in war against France, priority of maintaining commercial ties strong US declared Neutrality in order to protect economy

25 US and French Revolution The Terror produced refugees: many came to US educated, activist sought support from supposed revolutionary America instead fears of their radicalism led to passing Alien and Sedition Acts (1797 8): curb political dissent, limit political participation of immigrants supporters of French (e.g. newspaper editors) arrested for sedition climate so charged, most refugees left

26 US and French Revolution Impact in US: But: Americans more appalled at extreme measures undertaken by their government than fear of radicalism Presidential Election 1800 largely influenced by The Acts pro French Jefferson elected Jefferson continued to distance himself/gov t from radicals : sought out moderates for support, kept eye on neutral commerce

27 US and French Revolution Impact in US (cont): second major impact was indirect politics in France (radical and reactionary) affected French Colony with whom US had important trading interests The so called Revolution in Saint Domingue was both an outcome/off shoot of French instability from 1789 and another political challenge facing the newly independent US. [to be continued next day]