Reginald Thomas
Final Exam
May 1, 2007
Professor Carol White
Democratic Revolutions of the Eighteenth Century
‘The Coming of Democratic Revolutions’
Webster’s dictionary defines a revolution as an overthrow or repudiation and the thorough replacement of an established government or political system by the people governed; a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, esp. one made suddenly and often accompanied by violence. Revolutions have occurred throughout the eighteenth century and have varied in ideas of ideology, methods, and time length. Results of a revolution often times, include major changes in culture, social, and political framework. Revolutions in the eighteenth century were noted for the shift from absolute rule of monarchies to constitutional states and republics. The Age of Democratic Revolutions includes the American Revolution the French Revolution and Haitian Revolution. These great revolutions were triumph in delivering liberty and equality for all. The American, French and Haitian revolutions were the most important political events of the eighteenth century. They were also a dramatic conclusion to the Enlightenment, and these revolutions taken together form a major turning point in human history. Although these revolutions occurred in different parts of the world, their ideology and origins were identical in nature. These major revolutions had “common” culture that played a significant role in the appearance of modern democracy in the eighteenth century that linked these revolutions together. The “common” culture that played a significant role in coming of democratic revolution and reform in the eighteenth century is the emergence of pamphlets, the Enlightenment and communication.
The emergence of English Oppositional Literature in the form of pamphlets in the American colonies was the necessary spark to unite loyal colonist who oppose of the British...