The Revolutionary Era began in the late 1700s after the French and Indian War. The period was characterized by independent thinking and self-determination, with scientific and cultural advances focused on reason. The American Enlightenment led to the American Revolution, while Europe saw attempts to overthrow aristocracy. The French Revolution was the most radical upheaval, with mob mentality and revenge against the aristocracy. The revolutionary era spread to Haiti, Ireland, and Latin America, with Simon Bolivar leading several countries to independence.
After the Seven Years War, known as the French and Indian War in North America, the period known as the Revolutionary Era began in the late 1700s. The time period was known for the adaptation of independent thinking and self-determination into daily life. Western philosophy, mainly in Europe and North America, made scientific and cultural advances, particularly focused on the concept of reason. The period was highlighted by a series of revolutions in government and politics in the Americas and Europe.
Adopting the tenets of a number of philosophers, the American Enlightenment quickly enveloped the 13 British colonies in North America. By adopting the principles of nationalism conceived by Thomas Abbt, great thinkers such as Thomas Paine and Benjamin Franklin stimulated the independent spirit of the population. In 1775, the colonies and the British Empire found themselves embroiled in a full-scale conflict that came to be known as the American Revolution. Eventually, the colonies gained their independence with the help of France, Spain and the Dutch Republic, creating a new nation based on the foundations of the Enlightenment. Through famous works such as the Declaration of Independence, the United States has created a republic of the people and for the people.
The push for independence shifted to Europe around the same time, prompting an expansion of the revolutionary era. Influenced by the success of the American Revolution, the patriots attempted to overthrow the aristocracy in the Netherlands but were repulsed by Prussian military forces. Many of the instigators of the revolt fled to France, helping to spur the burgeoning movement for freedom from the monarchy.
During the revolutionary era, the French Revolution that began in 1789 became the most radical and public upheaval brought about by Enlightenment thoughts. Over the course of a decade, the society abandoned the religious and feudal control of the old regime and adopted a citizen-led movement based on the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Without the strong leadership that the American Revolution meant, much of the action in France involved mob mentality and revenge against the aristocracy. This also left government open to individuals with personal aspirations for power, such as Maximilien Robespierre and Napoleon Bonaparte.
The revolutionary era continued to spread across the western world. In 1791, slaves in Haiti successfully overthrew French rule in Saint-Domingue, establishing a permanent republic. Spurred on by the success of the American Revolution, the United Irishmen Rebellion rose against British rule in 1798, starting the conflict that would essentially last for centuries. Perhaps the most salient change from the revolutionary era were the riots and rebellions that took place throughout Latin America, with the majority of countries breaking free from the colonial rule of Portugal and Spain. One of the most important figures influenced by the American Enlightenment was Simon Bolivar, who led Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia to independence.
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