Revolutions Unit Final Exam Essay
Question 1: To what extent where the Mexican, French and Haitian revolutions successful and enlightened revolutions?
The Mexican, French and Haitian revolutions were each very different from one another. Each was started for reasons specific to the history of that country as well as the political, social and economic situations at those times. In order to answer the question it is important to take into account these histories and establish the specific causes and results of each revolution. Determining their success means proving whether or not the results of an action are an improvement from the previous condition or situation. Determining if they were enlightened means proving whether or not they …show more content…
There were four main social classes at the time in Saint-Domingue (Haiti’s name during the French colonization). At the top where the rich white landowners, the “grand blancs”. Below them were the wealthy free people of color, usually the freed children of rich white planters and slaves. Under them where the “petit blancs”, or the white workers. These included artisans, laborers and small business owners. The lowest social class was made up of the slaves.[4] They represented 90% of the population (around 500,000 people).[6] By 1789, when the French Revolution was just starting, the slaves and free people of color were unhappy with their situations. The free people of color were upset because though many of them were also wealthy and owned land, they were not considered citizens and did not enjoy all of the rights of their white counterparts. The slaves (in addition to being considered property) were subject to cruel working conditions and were often worked to death.[4] Shortly after the Declaration of the Rights of Man was created the free people of color were granted full French citizenship. The slaves, angry that their situation had not changed started a massive revolt. In 1794, after three years of fighting, France declared all …show more content…
The first phase was a transition from a system which promoted slavery and unequal conditions and rights for people of African descent, to a system where slavery was no longer tolerated by law and the free people of color and former slaves could start to enjoy the benefits of citizenship. This portion of the revolution was successful because the movement from a system where 90% of the population were considered property, to a system that no longer supported slavery, is clearly an improvement. The second phase was successful as well because the country transitioned from a colony to a free nation. This allows laws, regulations and customs to represent the population of Haiti instead of the population of France. It also changes the country's economic interests from serving its “parent country” to serving its own people. Both phases of the revolution where enlightened. The first half because the general population as well as laws and lawmakers had to start considering ex-slaves as human beings (a significant step forward for civil rights in Haiti). The second half was enlightened because a nation of people made the decision that they had to consider their own needs before those of the already very wealthy country of France. The Haitian government could now focus on it’s own people and it became the first modern nation to be governed by peoples of
Question 1: To what extent where the Mexican, French and Haitian revolutions successful and enlightened revolutions?
The Mexican, French and Haitian revolutions were each very different from one another. Each was started for reasons specific to the history of that country as well as the political, social and economic situations at those times. In order to answer the question it is important to take into account these histories and establish the specific causes and results of each revolution. Determining their success means proving whether or not the results of an action are an improvement from the previous condition or situation. Determining if they were enlightened means proving whether or not they …show more content…
There were four main social classes at the time in Saint-Domingue (Haiti’s name during the French colonization). At the top where the rich white landowners, the “grand blancs”. Below them were the wealthy free people of color, usually the freed children of rich white planters and slaves. Under them where the “petit blancs”, or the white workers. These included artisans, laborers and small business owners. The lowest social class was made up of the slaves.[4] They represented 90% of the population (around 500,000 people).[6] By 1789, when the French Revolution was just starting, the slaves and free people of color were unhappy with their situations. The free people of color were upset because though many of them were also wealthy and owned land, they were not considered citizens and did not enjoy all of the rights of their white counterparts. The slaves (in addition to being considered property) were subject to cruel working conditions and were often worked to death.[4] Shortly after the Declaration of the Rights of Man was created the free people of color were granted full French citizenship. The slaves, angry that their situation had not changed started a massive revolt. In 1794, after three years of fighting, France declared all …show more content…
The first phase was a transition from a system which promoted slavery and unequal conditions and rights for people of African descent, to a system where slavery was no longer tolerated by law and the free people of color and former slaves could start to enjoy the benefits of citizenship. This portion of the revolution was successful because the movement from a system where 90% of the population were considered property, to a system that no longer supported slavery, is clearly an improvement. The second phase was successful as well because the country transitioned from a colony to a free nation. This allows laws, regulations and customs to represent the population of Haiti instead of the population of France. It also changes the country's economic interests from serving its “parent country” to serving its own people. Both phases of the revolution where enlightened. The first half because the general population as well as laws and lawmakers had to start considering ex-slaves as human beings (a significant step forward for civil rights in Haiti). The second half was enlightened because a nation of people made the decision that they had to consider their own needs before those of the already very wealthy country of France. The Haitian government could now focus on it’s own people and it became the first modern nation to be governed by peoples of