Revolutions and Independence: US, France, and Spain
1. Catalysts of American Independence
King George III increased taxes on tea. Colonists lacked representation in Parliament.
2. Timeline of American Independence
- 1767: Business tax and tea tax imposed.
- 1773: Boston Tea Party.
- 1775: War of Independence begins.
- 1776: Declaration of Independence.
- 1783: Treaty of Versailles.
- 1785: U.S. Constitution drafted.
- 1789: George Washington becomes President.
3. Boston Tea Party
The 1773 protest in Boston Harbor against tea taxes sparked the War of Independence.
4. End of American Independence
The process concluded in 1783 with the Treaty of Versailles.
5. Louis XVI and the Assembly of Notables
Louis XVI summoned nobles and clergy to impose taxes, but they refused.
6. Estates-General
The meeting of the three estates (nobility, clergy, commoners) failed due to disputes over voting methods.
7. Tennis Court Oath
The Third Estate vowed to remain assembled until a constitution was established.
8. Storming of the Bastille
A popular uprising in Paris, considered the start of the French Revolution.
9. National Assembly Reforms
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
- Abolition of feudal privileges.
- French Constitution of 1791.
- Constitutional monarchy established.
- Voting rights for men over 25 who paid taxes.
- Separation of powers.
10. Jacobins and Girondins
Jacobins were radical revolutionaries; Girondins were more moderate.
11. The Convention
A new assembly formed by the Girondins, marked by the Reign of Terror.
12. The Directory
A five-member assembly formed after the Reign of Terror.
13. End of the French Revolution
Napoleon Bonaparte’s coup in 1799 ended the revolution.
14. Juntas
Spontaneously organized local and provincial governments in Spain, led by the Central Junta of Madrid.
15. Spanish Victories and Defeats
- Victories: Arapiles, Vitoria, San Marcial.
- Defeats: Zaragoza, Girona, Levante.
16. Guerrilla Warfare
A Spanish invention involving surprise attacks and ambushes.
17. Cortes of Cádiz and the 1812 Constitution
Formed in 1812, the Cortes comprised liberals and absolutists. The constitution established national sovereignty, separation of powers, and universal male suffrage.
18. Reign of Ferdinand VII: Absolutist Phase
Ferdinand VII repealed the 1812 constitution, ruling as an absolute monarch.
19. Liberal Triennium
A coup led to Ferdinand VII ruling under the constitution from 1820 to 1823. The king later restored absolutism with foreign aid.
20. Causes of Spanish Colonies’ Emancipation
- Influence of the French and American Revolutions.
- Spain’s military and political weakness.
- Limited rights for criollos (American-born Spaniards).
21. Key Leaders of Emancipation
- Simón Bolívar
- José de San Martín
- Agustín de Iturbide
22. Last Spanish Colonies
Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines remained Spanish until 1898.
23. Definitions
Liberalism: Individual freedom, equality before the law, free trade, separation of powers.
Nationalism: Ideology advocating for the independence of a nation under foreign rule.