12.1: Introduction

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As you saw in Chapter 11, the 18th Century was a period of empire-building and revolutions as well as advances in science and the arts. The European nations competed for global domination in exploration, trade, and colonization, with Great Britain becoming the leading world power. Even as these nations expanded their reach, they found their rule challenged by supporters of Enlightenment ideas, based on the ideals of liberty, progress, and the separation of church and state. The American Revolution (1775–1783), the French Revolution (1789–1799), and the Haitian Revolution (1791–1804) would be the most successful of these uprisings, which shook the power of European monarchies. During the early 19th century, similar revolts would occur in Latin America, as those people sought to obtain more political voice.