This lesson is primarily focused on the Atlantic Revolutions that we typically associate with this period: American -> French -> Haitian -> Latin American. The ideas from the previous topic combined a growing sense of globalization and a desire for people to build their own place in the world led conflict.

Historical Developments in Unit 5.2 Nationalism and Revolutions in the Period from 1750 -1900

• People around the world developed a new sense of commonality based on language, religion, social customs, and territory. This was sometimes harnessed by governments to foster a sense of unity.

• Discontent with monarchist and imperial rule encouraged and development of systems of government and various ideologies, including democracy and 19th century liberalism.

• Colonial Subjects in the Americas led a series of rebellions inspired by democratic ideals. The American Revolution, and its successful establishment of a republic, the United States of America, was a model and inspiration for a number of the revolutions that followed. The American Revolution, the Haitian Revolution, and the Latin American independence movements facilitated the emergence of independent states in the Americas.

• The ideas of Enlightenment philosophers as reflected in revolutionary documents - including the American Declaration of Independence during the American Revolution, the French "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen" during the French Revolution, and Bolivar's "Letter from Jamaica" on the eve of the Latin American revolutions--influenced resistance to existing political authority, often in pursuit of independence and democratic ideals.

• Newly imagined national communities often linked this new national identity with borders of the state, and in some cases, nationalists challenged boundaries or sought unification of fragmented regions.

Maps & Visuals 5.2

Additional Resources 5.2