A Revolutionary World

TJ Kubiak
6th period
A Revolutionary World
In the late 18th century philosophers of England and France would meet in
salons and coffeehouses to discuss and debate a variety of political, economic and
sociological ideas with a freedom that was never before seen (Standage Pg 116).
Philosophers such as Thomas Hobbs and John Locke had a profound effect on the
political ideals of the 18th century. Spawning from these new ideals such as From
Thomas Jefferson to Toussaint Louverture many revolutionary minds took ideas
from Hobbs and Locke, integrating their ideas into the very fabric of their
revolutionary visions. The American revolution blazed the trail for numerous
revolutions around the world. Every colony saw the example that the American
experiment gave, standing up for their freedom in the face of merciless
mercantilism, and thinking if the Americans could do it so could they. The Haitian,
Mexican, and South American revolutions are together known as the Atlantic
revolutions, all of these revolutions in part were inspired by numerous
enlightenment era philosophers. As the American Revolution set a precedent for
revolutionary fervor worldwide, the focus shifted to the Haitian Revolution, where
Enlightenment ideals played a pivotal role in empowering slaves to rise against
oppressive colonial rule.

In 1791, a slave revolt began north of Saint Domingo where Toussaint
Louverture joined the army as a doctor to the troops. By 1792, Toussaint had
developed the reputation of a genius military tactician training his troops in both
guerrilla warfare and traditional european line-fighting styles. In 1794, the
revolutionary French government abolished slavery in France and all her colonies
thus causing Toussaint and his forces to stand down and instead support the new
French government. This event made the Haitian revolution, led by Toussaint
Louverture, the first successful black colonial revolt in history. Enlightenment
ideals of liberty and equality, primarily theorized by philosophers Montesquieu and
Rousseau, acted to embolden the slaves into revolting against their French rulers
(Touss Doc A). The idea of self governance and consent of the governed was
embraced by Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture who then applied
the idea into his own governmental structure. However, after their brutal fight for
independence they’re infrastructure was devastated resulting in an economic crash.
This led Toussant to pass a proclamation stating “As soon as a child can walk, he
should be employed on the plantation according to his strength in some useful
work” (Touss Doc D). This law forced ex-slaves to work plantations for low wages
and in harsh conditions, which needless to say was an overwhelmingly unpopular
decision for Toussant. On top of this as other mercantilist countries saw the
success of Haiti's revolution they isolated Haiti as to keep this newfound fervor for
freedom from spreading. Even to this day, Haiti remains one of the poorest
countries in the world with an average GDP per capita of under 2,000 dollars. The
Haitian Revolution, led by Toussaint Louverture, stands as a historic testament to
the triumph of Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality in the face of
oppressive colonial rule. While the revolution succeeded in breaking the chains of
slavery, the aftermath brought economic challenges and difficult decisions for
Toussaint, reflecting the complex realities of post-revolutionary governance.
The Mexican revolution benefited from one of the smartest military geniuses
in history. Simon Bolivar was a powerful leader that never defined a person by the
color of their skin but instead by the quality of their character. As a young boy
Simone would play with other children of every race and creed fostering a
tolerance which wasn’t all too common in that era. Simone Bolivar strived to
establish a government that was built upon consent of the governed and not the
classical totalitarian and/or elitist government views. He dreamt of a United States
of South America, where skin colors did not matter. Bolivar was a latin american
creole, a racial mix of black and european descendance. Sumone Bolivar describes
Creoles in his address at the congress of Angostura as “americans by birth and
Europeans by law”. This heritage helped him to identify those of a lower casta than
him but still granted him enough influence to allow him to bring about widespread
change. Before the revolution, Spanish viceroys were sent over from Spain to rule
the colonies. This enraged colonial citizens because the viceroys did not
understand what it was like to live in Mexico and wanted the freedom to govern
themselves. The newly independent country drew on enlightenment ideals of self
governance and equal representation under law as shown by father Hidalgo's
teachings. The creoles successfully gained independence and power positions in
church as well as state, however the peasants socio-political positioning did not
change. This scenario created an unstable societal base for Latin America, as the
already brutalized peasant caste was already crushed by the encomienda system
and did not receive any of the reprieve that they had expected. In the end, the latin
american revolution led to an increase in privilege for the movers and shakers of
society but left the peasants in the dust.
In conclusion, the late 18th century enlightenment ideals sparked intellectual
discussions in salons and coffeehouses across England and France. Using the
American revolution as kindling, this spark grew into a roaring fire of revolution
that spread like wildfire throughout the atlantic. It instilled a belief that the pursuit
of freedom was not a useless pipedream, but attainable even under the heel of
oppressive mercantilism. In the end, while these revolutions triumphed in breaking
the chains of oppression, the aftermath posed challenges reflective of the various
intricacies associated with implementation of enlightenment ideals. From Mexico's
well known proclivity for violence to Haiti's unstable economy, the legacy that
these revolutions left behind had long standing effects on the countries that they
represented. The journey from civilized high class salons to society changing
political battlefields resonates as a testament to the everlasting power of ideas and
how they tend to shape the course of history.

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TJ Kubiak

Thomas Jefferson to Toussaint Louverture many revolutionary minds took ideas

experiment gave, standing up for their freedom in the face of merciless

revolutions, all of these revolutions in part were inspired by numerous

enlightenment era philosophers. As the American Revolution set a precedent for

Enlightenment ideals played a pivotal role in empowering slaves to rise against

oppressive colonial rule.

guerrilla warfare and traditional european line-fighting styles. In 1794, the

Louverture, the first successful black colonial revolt in history. Enlightenment

ideals of liberty and equality, primarily theorized by philosophers Montesquieu and

embraced by Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture who then applied

independence they’re infrastructure was devastated resulting in an economic crash.

should be employed on the plantation according to his strength in some useful

and in harsh conditions, which needless to say was an overwhelmingly unpopular

Haitian Revolution, led by Toussaint Louverture, stands as a historic testament to

the triumph of Enlightenment ideals of liberty and equality in the face of

Toussaint, reflecting the complex realities of post-revolutionary governance.

classical totalitarian and/or elitist government views. He dreamt of a United States

Creoles in his address at the congress of Angostura as “americans by birth and

themselves. The newly independent country drew on enlightenment ideals of self

governance and equal representation under law as shown by father Hidalgo's

teachings. The creoles successfully gained independence and power positions in

society but left the peasants in the dust.

In conclusion, the late 18th century enlightenment ideals sparked intellectual

oppressive mercantilism. In the end, while these revolutions triumphed in breaking

intricacies associated with implementation of enlightenment ideals. From Mexico's

political battlefields resonates as a testament to the everlasting power of ideas and

how they tend to shape the course of history.

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