Question

Explain the intellectual and ideological context in which revolutions swept the Atlantic world from 1750 to 1900.

Answer 1

The period between 1750 and 1900 saw a series of revolutions across Europe and the Americas. Many important political changes took place during these years, and some were considered particularly influential, such as the Revolutionary War in the American colonies or the French Revolution.

These wars were a consequence of the ideas that developed during the period known as the Enlightenment. The period of the Enlightenment began in the 18th century thanks to the work of political philosophers such as Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire, Montesquieu, Smith and Hume. These philosophers developed a new idea of the state, and its connection with the people. They argued that the state had the responsibility of responding to the needs of citizens. They also argued that citizens had inalienable rights such as freedom that the state should not infringe upon. These ideas empowered people to seek change and demand effective government.