• How did the Enlightenment influence the Age of Revolutions?                                                                                     The Age of revolution was greatly influenced by enlightened thinkers such as John Locke, Locke greatly influenced the Glorious Revolution, American Revolution and the French Revolution with his political ideas regarding a government that fully protects the publics natural rights with a social contract, Locke states that if the social contract is broken, then the people have the right to overthrow their government. Locke’s political philosophy clearly influenced the writing of the declaration of independence, Thomas Jefferson wrote, “Government long established should not be changed for light and transient causes... But when a long train of abuses and unsurpations... It is their right, it is their duty to throw off such government.” This statement was clearly influenced by Locke’s interpretation of an ideal government. During the Glorious Revolutions John Locke wrote a book called “A Letter Concerning Toleration” regarding the role christianity had in the revolution.“The toleration of those that differ from others in matters of religion is so agreeable to the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and to the genuine reason of mankind, that it seems monstrous for men to be so blind as not to perceive the necessity and advantage of it in so clear a light.” Locke strongly believed in freedom of religion, and in his book, Locke addresses the issue England was having with religious diversity. The enlightenment strongly encouraged France to rebel against the absolute monarchy that abused the publics natural rights, as Locke stated, once the social contract is broken the public has the right to rebel against their oppressive government. The Enlightenment was clearly very influential during the Age of Revolution since it gave nations the motivation to rebel against the abusive governments affecting the public.

 

 

• How did the French revolution cause other revolutions?                                                                                             The French Revolution was a very important event in history since it influenced other revolutions during the Age of Revolution such as Brazil, portugal was invaded and it motivated Brazil to break from the oppressive government of Portugal, Haiti was influenced because France was weakened after the French Revolution and Mexico invaded when the spaniards were weakened by the french. When Napoleon invaded Portugal, the Royal Family fleed to Brazil. As Portugal’s rule began to get abusive the Brazilians rebelled and became an independent nation. Haiti was one of France’s most important colonies and it revolted to the long train of abuses.When the French invaded Spain, the Spaniards weakened and the Mexicans took it as an advantage to revolt. In the Age of Revolution there was inequality in every aspect of life because of the existence of the richer class and the lower class and the richer class had more benefits economically socially and politically. The French Revolution had many effects that encouraged other Revolutions.

 

 

• What role did inequality play in the age of revolutions?                                                                                     Thanks to the ideas from the Enlightenment, citizens realized how the government abused them and they used religion to control them so they revolted against the government. The revolutions were generally encouraged by the fact that most people were given rights depending on their social status, gender and skin color. In France social status influenced the french to rebel against the corrupt royalty. However, people where given rights only if they were men and were white. Social instability was usually causes for revolution during this age.

 

 

• Why did these revolutions take place, and why did so many of them take place during this period?          The age of revolutions was strongly influenced by the enlightenment, political ideologies about a good government influenced people to rebel against the corrupt and abusive government. As John Locke stated, after a long train of abuses, it is natural for citizens to revolt against their government and it is their right for them to do so. People motivated by philosophers strived to find the liberty they deserved. The age of revolution was a time where people opened up their mind to a government they deserved and did whatever possible to achieve that.