Readings:
Benjamin Franklin Autobiography, pp. 100-197
Clark, preface and chap. 1.
Points of Entry:
The Federalist Papers -
Anti-Federalist Papers -
Haitian Revolution -
Questions for discussion:
What happens to the American Revolution when it is incorporated into the "age of revolutions?" How is it related to other Atlantic Revolutions?
Why do you think the Haitian Revolution is important? What is its legacy?
Which group do you think has a larger historical legacy--the Federalists or Anti-Federalists? Why?
The American Revolution served as a template for the Revolutions in the Atlantic and in France. The functionality and relative prosperity of American people in comparison to the people of Europe and Haiti had dispelled Thomas Hobbes claim that only a hereditary monarchy could provide the people with a sufficient degree of safety and stability and that common people were incapable of ruling themselves. The French, suffering from the reactionary Ancien Regime, followed the Medieval mode of inheritance, by simply dividing land amongst children, leaving progeny increasingly poor and destitute. This destitution, combined with a flagrantly corrupt and indulgent aristocracy, and the emerging prospect of establishing democratic rule, had lead the French people to dethrone King Louis XVI. The instability of France had encouraged French colonies, such as Haiti, to seize upon their mother countries instability to declare independence. As France, Britain and the Prussians tried to reinstall the French nobility and ancien regime, Spains' colonies seized upon the preoccupation of the mother country to declare their independence as well.
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution was important in that it represented France's near expulsion from the American Continents. Haiti provided France with an extremely valuable supply of sugar to trade on the global market, and without it, the French would suffer even further from their economic crisis and heading Napoleons ability to combat the nations of Europe.
The Anti-Federalists had a greater historical legacy since they would go on to form the Democratic Party, which continues to shape American politics to this day, whereas the Federalists and their elitist ideals faded from American politics.
When the American Revolution is added to the Age of Revolutions, it is the highlight of the all. Not to be egocentric, although our revolution had created a movement that rifted other revolutions. It caused the French to harbor the same ideas to remove King Louis, although it didn't work as well as it did for us. Our motto of "freedom" and a nation of "liberty" was a sweet idea that many found appealing. Once they saw the flaws or problems that their government had, they took to arms to fix it. It showed that every man could have an opportunity to life, liberty and prosperity (of course, that is if your a white male).
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution marked the end to Frances colonization efforts. Now that they had been expunged from the American Colonies and are seen as a possible threat by the American's, by whom they had just helped, the French had little elsewhere to go. When the slaves united and overthrew the ruling magistrate in Haiti, not only did it emulate our cry for freedom, but forshadowed the soon to come Civil War in the US. It created racial inequalities and complications for the slaves, even though they had established freedom for themselves.
I think the Federalist have a longer legacy based on the fact that our nation is still the way it was back then. Though much has changed in our nation, the structure is the same thanks to the Federalist. We are still bound by the Constitution and are a single union. While their party has been non-existent in congress, they formed the backbone of our government. Without the federalist, our treasury would not exist and we may have used the Articles of Confederation rather than the Constitution. Government would not be structured the way it is today, with a legislature and an Executive figure. Also, through the federalist, we would not have a Judiciary, leaving out such cases as Brown v board; civil rights cases and other nation changing cases may have not existed. With out the Federalist, we would not have a representational democracy we do today.
The American Revolution was the beginning of what was soon to be deemed as the Atlantic Revolutions. The importance of the American in the larger scope of things, was that it started the ideas of change and rebellion all over the world. The colonists demonstrated how to resist a tyrannical power, through the course of both protests and wars. Therefore their influence flowed over to France and later Haiti, who also tried to fight their major power and reinstate change. Regardless of how successful other revolutions were, the importance lies in their influence.
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution is important because it showed slaves over powering a very powerful European country. This has never before been seen. It showed Africans with a new power and strength, as well as illustrated to other slaves the power of unity when fighting for a cause.
I do not think either the Federalist or the Anti-Federalist papers are more important, but rather their combination is what makes them vital to America. The Federalist papers show the support of the Constitution, while the Anti-Federalist papers show discontent; these differing opinions set the stage for the formation of new political parties. Even to this day political parties play such a huge role in daily life, and they all started with the Federalists and Anti-Federalists. The papers are an example of the freedom of speech that was practiced during this time. Also they show the opinions of the colonists of the time.
I believe both Anti federalist and Federalist both had a significant role in our history. However, i find the Federalist to be more of a factor in our legacy. We have become one of the largest governments in the world and if we had kept it to a state by state rule we would not have come together as we have today. Also With seperations of powers into three independent branches protected the rights of the people. Each branch represents a different aspect of the people, and because all three branches are equal, no one group can assume control over another. It seems to me that the way our nation is run today is more along the views and ideas of federalists.
ReplyDeleteWhen incorporated into the 'age of revolutions' the American Revolution becomes a part of a much larger movement and ideals. The American Revolution stands for liberty and freedom. This was a common theme through the world and was the foundations for many other revolutions. The American Revolution was the model for the French Revolution, which happened shortly after. And the Haitian Revolution was influenced by both revolutions. All three revolutions sent the other powerful European nations the message that society and ideals were changing and that they could either stick with their older ways or change with the times.
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution is extremely important within the history of Atlantic revolutions and American history. The Haitian Revolution was one of the only successful slave revolutions in history. There had been many slave revolts, however most had been retaken by their European invaders/masters. The revolution gave hope to many slave throughout the world for the possibility of winning their freedom and scared many European nations and America with the possibility of more revolts.
I believed that the legacy of the foundation of the nation is equally shared between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists. However, I believe that most think that it is the Federalists who have a larger legacy because it was they who gained the acknowledgment of having their thoughts creating the Constitution. However it was the combination and the give and take between the two groups that caused the formation of the foundation of this country.
The American Revolution was important in terms in the “age of revolutions” because it was on of the first successful revolutions from the “underdogs”. It is because of the American Revolution that other countries decided to rebel against a higher power. It is related to the Atlantic Revolutions because it happened over seas, mainly over the Atlantic Ocean. It began many other Revolutions fought through European countries and their colonies.
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution further showed weakness in strong European powers. In the Haitian Revolution, France began to see their power slip away from their colony in Haiti. The slaves there rose up against the power and came together to fight the same cause. It sparked many other uprises against Europe’s finest.
The federalists I believe have a larger impact on American history. It is because of them that there were the anti-federalists and what came out of their creation. Both sides played a valuable role in history but the federalists set a precedent that was needed in order to move forward with the new country at the time. Although not all of their views are agreeable, it taught further leaders what they liked and what they didn’t. Further bettering America for the future.
The American Revolution, when incorporated into the “Age of Revolutions”, becomes an example. The American Revolution was the first of its kind and not only fundamentally changed peoples’ lives in American, but also peoples’ lives in other parts of the world such as France and Haiti. In a way, the American Revolution influenced other revolution by being a model of how to run a successful revolution.
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution was important because it caused France to lose substantial colonial power in the Americas. Haiti was an important asset of France’s colonialism and the revolution essentially ended France’s influence in the Americas.
I think that neither the Federalists nor the Anti-Federalists have a larger historical legacy. The Federalists supported the ratification of the Constitution while the anti-Federalists insisted on a Bill of Rights. In that sense both succeeded and both have a strong and lasting legacy.
The American Revolution has an influence on all the other Revolutions during this time. The American Revolution was the first of its kind. The Americans broke off Britain which was a global power, something that wasn't done ever before.
ReplyDeleteThe Haitian Revolution is important because it ended all Colonization for France. It also had an influence on all slaves showing them that revolting is possible and could possibly give them their freedom they want.
Both the Federalist and Anti-Federalist seem to have the same legacy. They were both against each other but in the end they both succeed because they influenced how the United States is shaped up today