AMSCO 5.2 Nationalism and Revolutions Notes
1 min read•october 3, 2023
📍Topic 5.2 Nationalism and Revolutions
Main Idea
Key Timeline
Image Courtesy of Rashmi Korukonda
Things to Know
Revolutions
- The emergence of revolutionary ideas and political conflicts led to a series of significant revolutions in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Important Revolutions
- American Revolution
- Influenced by Enlightenment philosophy - liberty and independence
- Opposition to English mercantilism for political/economic autonomy
- Declaration of Independence in 1776 - “break-up” letter US → Britain, establishing French support for the American cause led to US’ success
- French Revolution
- Ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity transformed French society and politics
- Convening of Estates-General and subsequent formation of National Assembly due to economic issues, such as financial crises and disparities, creating tensions among social classes
- Estates-General, convened to address financial challenges, led to establishment of National Assembly as discussions on grievances led to calls for broader representation
- Reign of Terror instilled fear and political instability, influencing not only France but across Europe as monarchies feared similar uprisings
- Rise of the Jacobins marked a radical shift in political power, shaping trajectory of the Revolution and impacting France’s socio-political landscape
- Napoleon brought stability but also expansionist ambitions, leading to military conflicts across Europe, fundamentally reshaping continent's geopolitical landscape
- Haitian Revolution
- Successful slave rebellion in Haiti against French colonizers
- African slaves led by Toussaint L'Ouverture
- Gave hope to other slave and/or colonial revolutions
- Creole Revolutions in Latin America
- Creoles' desire for independence and political power
- Leadership of figures, such as, Simon Bolivar
- Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule created discontent among indigenous populations and creole elites
- Struggle for Latin American independence and the creation of new nations
Nationalism and Unification in Europe
- Italian Unification
- Led by Count di Cavour, who aimed to unite the fragmented Italian Peninsula under the House of Savoy
- A practical approach influenced by Enlightenment ideals and realpolitik
- Strategic alliances and warfare, marking a significant step toward Italian nationhood
- Influence of Giuseppe Mazzini's revolutionary philosophy
- German Unification
- Orchestrated by Otto von Bismarck, who used calculated wars to unite German states
- Tactics included conflicts with Denmark, Austria, and France, resulting in the creation of the German Empire in 1871, reshaping the political landscape.
- Balkan Nationalism
- Rise of nationalist movements in Balkans due to decline of Ottoman Empire and influence of Enlightenment ideas
- Greek independence began because of cultural pride, exposure to Enlightenment thought, and foreign intervention
- Similar movements in Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, aided by outside powers
Consequences of Revolutions
- Political and Social Changes
- Transition from monarchies to republics or constitutional monarchies
- Legal reforms and recognition of civil liberties, shifting the balance of power and promoting democratic aspirations
- The spread of revolutionary ideals and nationalism
- Repercussions on European Powers
- Impact extended beyond the nations directly involved
- Increased competition and conflicts among major European states
- Safeguarding interests and influencing the evolving political landscape
- Impact on Colonies
- Revolutionary ideals influenced movements for independence in colonies
- Laid groundwork for future efforts to secure self-determination in regions under colonial rule
- Long-term Effects
- Influence on future revolutions and nationalist movements
- A cycle of cause-and-effect relationships between revolutions, political changes, and nationalism
Terms to Remember
| Term | Definition + Significance |
| Enlightenment | An intellectual and philosophical movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and liberty, which profoundly influenced the ideals of many revolutions and movements. |
| Declaration of Independence | Document asserting the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, serving as the foundation for American independence and influencing later revolutions. |
| Estates-General | Representative body comprising the clergy, nobility, and commoners, triggering revolutionary change in France. |
| Reign of Terror | A period characterized by mass executions and radical rule in France, marking a radical phase of the French Revolution. |
| Napoleon Bonaparte | A military general who became Emperor of France, bringing stability but also expanding conflict in Europe. |
| Toussaint L'Ouverture | Leader of the Haitian Revolution, who led Haiti to independence, making it the first black-led country in the Western Hemisphere. |
| Mestizos | People of mixed European and indigenous American ancestry in Latin America, playing a significant role in nationalist movements and the shaping of Latin American identity. |
| Simon Bolivar | A key leader in the struggle for Latin American independence |
| Caudillos | Strong local leaders in Latin America after independence, who influenced national politics and governance, often representing regional interests. |
| Congress of Vienna | A conference of major European powers in 1815 aimed at reshaping the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and restoring stability to the continent. |
| Count di Cavour | Prime minister who played a pivotal role in the unification of Italy, aiding in the establishment of the Italian Peninsula as one nation. |
| Otto von Bismarck | Prussian leader who engineered German unification, leading to the founding of the German Empire, setting the stage for the balance of power and eventually World War I. |
| Realpolitik | A political philosophy focused on practicality and the pursuit of national interests, associated with leaders like Count di Cavour and Otto von Bismarck, and instrumental in the process of Italian and German unification. |
AMSCO 5.2 Nationalism and Revolutions Notes
1 min read•october 3, 2023
📍Topic 5.2 Nationalism and Revolutions
Main Idea
Key Timeline
Image Courtesy of Rashmi Korukonda
Things to Know
Revolutions
- The emergence of revolutionary ideas and political conflicts led to a series of significant revolutions in the late 18th and 19th centuries.
Important Revolutions
- American Revolution
- Influenced by Enlightenment philosophy - liberty and independence
- Opposition to English mercantilism for political/economic autonomy
- Declaration of Independence in 1776 - “break-up” letter US → Britain, establishing French support for the American cause led to US’ success
- French Revolution
- Ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity transformed French society and politics
- Convening of Estates-General and subsequent formation of National Assembly due to economic issues, such as financial crises and disparities, creating tensions among social classes
- Estates-General, convened to address financial challenges, led to establishment of National Assembly as discussions on grievances led to calls for broader representation
- Reign of Terror instilled fear and political instability, influencing not only France but across Europe as monarchies feared similar uprisings
- Rise of the Jacobins marked a radical shift in political power, shaping trajectory of the Revolution and impacting France’s socio-political landscape
- Napoleon brought stability but also expansionist ambitions, leading to military conflicts across Europe, fundamentally reshaping continent's geopolitical landscape
- Haitian Revolution
- Successful slave rebellion in Haiti against French colonizers
- African slaves led by Toussaint L'Ouverture
- Gave hope to other slave and/or colonial revolutions
- Creole Revolutions in Latin America
- Creoles' desire for independence and political power
- Leadership of figures, such as, Simon Bolivar
- Spanish and Portuguese colonial rule created discontent among indigenous populations and creole elites
- Struggle for Latin American independence and the creation of new nations
Nationalism and Unification in Europe
- Italian Unification
- Led by Count di Cavour, who aimed to unite the fragmented Italian Peninsula under the House of Savoy
- A practical approach influenced by Enlightenment ideals and realpolitik
- Strategic alliances and warfare, marking a significant step toward Italian nationhood
- Influence of Giuseppe Mazzini's revolutionary philosophy
- German Unification
- Orchestrated by Otto von Bismarck, who used calculated wars to unite German states
- Tactics included conflicts with Denmark, Austria, and France, resulting in the creation of the German Empire in 1871, reshaping the political landscape.
- Balkan Nationalism
- Rise of nationalist movements in Balkans due to decline of Ottoman Empire and influence of Enlightenment ideas
- Greek independence began because of cultural pride, exposure to Enlightenment thought, and foreign intervention
- Similar movements in Serbia, Bulgaria, and Romania, aided by outside powers
Consequences of Revolutions
- Political and Social Changes
- Transition from monarchies to republics or constitutional monarchies
- Legal reforms and recognition of civil liberties, shifting the balance of power and promoting democratic aspirations
- The spread of revolutionary ideals and nationalism
- Repercussions on European Powers
- Impact extended beyond the nations directly involved
- Increased competition and conflicts among major European states
- Safeguarding interests and influencing the evolving political landscape
- Impact on Colonies
- Revolutionary ideals influenced movements for independence in colonies
- Laid groundwork for future efforts to secure self-determination in regions under colonial rule
- Long-term Effects
- Influence on future revolutions and nationalist movements
- A cycle of cause-and-effect relationships between revolutions, political changes, and nationalism
Terms to Remember
| Term | Definition + Significance |
| Enlightenment | An intellectual and philosophical movement emphasizing reason, individualism, and liberty, which profoundly influenced the ideals of many revolutions and movements. |
| Declaration of Independence | Document asserting the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, serving as the foundation for American independence and influencing later revolutions. |
| Estates-General | Representative body comprising the clergy, nobility, and commoners, triggering revolutionary change in France. |
| Reign of Terror | A period characterized by mass executions and radical rule in France, marking a radical phase of the French Revolution. |
| Napoleon Bonaparte | A military general who became Emperor of France, bringing stability but also expanding conflict in Europe. |
| Toussaint L'Ouverture | Leader of the Haitian Revolution, who led Haiti to independence, making it the first black-led country in the Western Hemisphere. |
| Mestizos | People of mixed European and indigenous American ancestry in Latin America, playing a significant role in nationalist movements and the shaping of Latin American identity. |
| Simon Bolivar | A key leader in the struggle for Latin American independence |
| Caudillos | Strong local leaders in Latin America after independence, who influenced national politics and governance, often representing regional interests. |
| Congress of Vienna | A conference of major European powers in 1815 aimed at reshaping the map of Europe after the Napoleonic Wars and restoring stability to the continent. |
| Count di Cavour | Prime minister who played a pivotal role in the unification of Italy, aiding in the establishment of the Italian Peninsula as one nation. |
| Otto von Bismarck | Prussian leader who engineered German unification, leading to the founding of the German Empire, setting the stage for the balance of power and eventually World War I. |
| Realpolitik | A political philosophy focused on practicality and the pursuit of national interests, associated with leaders like Count di Cavour and Otto von Bismarck, and instrumental in the process of Italian and German unification. |
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