The Atlantic Revolutions:England, America & France

Critically weakened the Old Regime

Freedom

Progress

Democracy

Nationalism

Background of Revolutions

social change

ideas

English Precedents"Bill of Rights“ / Glorious Revolution

(1688)

• the king could not suspend laws

• no taxes would be levied or standing army maintained in peacetime without the consent of Parliament

• sessions of Parliament would be held frequently

• freedom of speech in Parliament would be assured

• subjects would have the right of petition and be free of excessive fines, bail, or cruel punishments

popular sovereignty

the political principle that the legitimacy of the state is created by

the will or consent of its people, who are the source of all political power

Effects of the French Revolution

popular sovereignty replaces absolutism

the dynasty replaced by the nation

converted the king's subject into the nation's citizen

The Vision and Inspiration of the Declaration of Independence

• “We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

• “that, to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed; that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government, laying its foundation on such principles, and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their safety and happiness.”

the nation

Effects of the French Revolution

the nation the major social unit

"defense of the sacred soil of the homeland”

George Washington & Political Power

• Republic not a monarchy

• Military under civilian control

Effects of the French Revolution

Ideology

a system of ideas that are usually goal-directed

An Ideology of Republicanism

• Not a nation of a distinct ethnicity but one which had to be invented

• Requires a virtuous citizenry—people who were willing to surrender private interests for the good of the whole

• Founding Fathers obsessed with the Fall of the Roman Empire and determined not to repeat the same mistakes

• United States an idea as much as a country

• Liberty

• Equality

• Abhorrence of privilege

• Fear of abused political power

• Constitutionalism

• Individual liberties

Conclusion

Liberalism• human nature was essentially

good• mankind essentially rational• purpose of life the "pursuit of

earthly happiness

Conservatism• human nature was weak• mankind essentially selfish• purpose of life the search for

social stability and order