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The Atlantic Revolutions

Driving Question: How was the period from 1750 to 1825 an Age of Revolutions?

Revolutions are major transformations in how people live, think, govern, connect, or produce. Such dramatic changes are often violent and always disruptive, so why would a society want a revolution? The answer depends on the circumstances of the society—the revolutions that took place across the Atlantic world differed in their origins. In one instance, an enslaved population overthrew its colonizers, turning the world upside down.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Analyze the causes and consequences of the Atlantic revolutions.
  2. Use causation to evaluate and analyze the revolutions of this era.
  3. Use a graphic biography to support, extend, or challenge the overarching narratives of this period.
STEP 1

Opener: Atlantic Revolutions

In this lesson, you’ll learn about an age of revolutions that swept across the world. This activity will get you thinking about the impacts of this turbulent time.

STEP 2

Revolutions Around the World

Beginning in the late eighteenth century, a revolutionary wave swept the Atlantic Ocean, overturning old governments and ushering in new ideas about freedom.

Haitian Revolution External link

The Haitian Revolution defeated the French Empire, abolished slavery, and shook the foundations of the Atlantic slave economy. But the struggle didn’t end there.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 3

Women and Revolution

Though revolutionary narratives are often centered on founding fathers, plenty of women played central roles in defining the Age of Revolutions.

Extension Materials
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Below is an opportunity to practice writing by analyzing primary sources and then crafting a DBQ about political revolutions. Additionally, explore resources that expand the view of the Atlantic revolutions, drawing new threads into the narrative of causes and consequences.
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Revolutionary Ideas in England

The roots of revolutionary thought extend further back than the Enlightenment. Extend this lesson by exploring the political changes in England that started 600 years before the Age of Revolutions.

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Expanding the Age of Revolutions

Revolutionary movements erupted in many places beyond America and France. Use this article and video to evaluate whether we should expand the narrative of the Atlantic revolutions.

The Pueblo Revolt External link

In this video, Jerad Koepp interviews Porter Swentzell about the causes, experiences, and long-term effects of the Pueblo Revolt of 1680.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.