World History - Renaissance A.R., F.R. & Napoleon- II | History for UPSC 2024 (Pre & Mains) PDF Download

 Page 1


The Influence 
of the 
Enlightenment
• Colonial leaders used Enlightenment ideas to justify 
independence. The colonists had asked for the same political 
rights as people in Britain, they said, but the king had stubbornly 
refused. Therefore, the colonists were justified in rebelling against 
a tyrant who had broken the social contract.
• In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the 
Declaration of Independence. This document, written by political 
leader Thomas Jefferson, was firmly based on the ideas of John 
Locke and the Enlightenment. The Declaration reflected these 
ideas in its eloquent argument for natural rights. 
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created 
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness”, states the beginning of the declaration.
• The British were not about to let their colonies leave without a 
fight. Shortly after the publication of the Declaration of 
Independence, the two sides went to war. At first glance, the 
colonists seemed destined to go down in quick defeat.
• In the end, however, the Americans won their war for 
independence.
Page 2


The Influence 
of the 
Enlightenment
• Colonial leaders used Enlightenment ideas to justify 
independence. The colonists had asked for the same political 
rights as people in Britain, they said, but the king had stubbornly 
refused. Therefore, the colonists were justified in rebelling against 
a tyrant who had broken the social contract.
• In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the 
Declaration of Independence. This document, written by political 
leader Thomas Jefferson, was firmly based on the ideas of John 
Locke and the Enlightenment. The Declaration reflected these 
ideas in its eloquent argument for natural rights. 
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created 
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness”, states the beginning of the declaration.
• The British were not about to let their colonies leave without a 
fight. Shortly after the publication of the Declaration of 
Independence, the two sides went to war. At first glance, the 
colonists seemed destined to go down in quick defeat.
• In the end, however, the Americans won their war for 
independence.
The Colonists 
Win
• First, the Americans’ motivation for fighting was much stronger 
than that of the British, since their army was defending their 
homeland. 
• Second, the overconfident British generals made several 
mistakes. 
• Third, time itself was on the side of the Americans. The British 
could win battle after battle, as they did, and still lose the war. 
Fighting an overseas war, 3,000 miles from London, was terribly 
expensive. After a few years, tax-weary British citizens called for 
peace. 
• Finally, the Americans did not fight alone. Louis XVI of France had 
little sympathy for the ideals of the American Revolution. 
However, he was eager to weaken France’s rival, Britain. French 
entry into the war in 1778 was decisive. 
• In 1781, combined forces of about 9,500 Americans and 7,800 
French trapped a British army commanded by Lord Cornwallis 
near Yorktown, Virginia. Unable to escape, Cornwallis eventually 
surrendered. The Americans had shocked the world and won their 
independence.
Page 3


The Influence 
of the 
Enlightenment
• Colonial leaders used Enlightenment ideas to justify 
independence. The colonists had asked for the same political 
rights as people in Britain, they said, but the king had stubbornly 
refused. Therefore, the colonists were justified in rebelling against 
a tyrant who had broken the social contract.
• In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the 
Declaration of Independence. This document, written by political 
leader Thomas Jefferson, was firmly based on the ideas of John 
Locke and the Enlightenment. The Declaration reflected these 
ideas in its eloquent argument for natural rights. 
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created 
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness”, states the beginning of the declaration.
• The British were not about to let their colonies leave without a 
fight. Shortly after the publication of the Declaration of 
Independence, the two sides went to war. At first glance, the 
colonists seemed destined to go down in quick defeat.
• In the end, however, the Americans won their war for 
independence.
The Colonists 
Win
• First, the Americans’ motivation for fighting was much stronger 
than that of the British, since their army was defending their 
homeland. 
• Second, the overconfident British generals made several 
mistakes. 
• Third, time itself was on the side of the Americans. The British 
could win battle after battle, as they did, and still lose the war. 
Fighting an overseas war, 3,000 miles from London, was terribly 
expensive. After a few years, tax-weary British citizens called for 
peace. 
• Finally, the Americans did not fight alone. Louis XVI of France had 
little sympathy for the ideals of the American Revolution. 
However, he was eager to weaken France’s rival, Britain. French 
entry into the war in 1778 was decisive. 
• In 1781, combined forces of about 9,500 Americans and 7,800 
French trapped a British army commanded by Lord Cornwallis 
near Yorktown, Virginia. Unable to escape, Cornwallis eventually 
surrendered. The Americans had shocked the world and won their 
independence.
Enlightenment 
Ideas and the 
U.S. 
Constitution
• Shortly after declaring their independence, the 13 individual 
states recognized the need for a national government. As victory 
became certain, all 13 states ratified a constitution in 1781. 
• This plan of government was known as the Articles of 
Confederation. The Articles established the United States as a 
republic, a government in which citizens rule through elected 
representatives.
• To protect their authority, the 13 states created a loose 
confederation in which they held most of the power. Thus, the 
Articles of Confederation deliberately created a weak national 
government.
• Colonial leaders eventually recognized the need for a strong 
national government. In February 1787, Congress approved a 
Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. 
The Constitutional Convention held its first session on May 25, 
1787.
• The 55 delegates were experienced statesmen who were familiar 
with the political theories of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. 
• The delegates’ deliberations produced not only compromises but 
also new approaches to governing. Using the political ideas of the 
Enlightenment, the delegates created a new system of 
government.
Page 4


The Influence 
of the 
Enlightenment
• Colonial leaders used Enlightenment ideas to justify 
independence. The colonists had asked for the same political 
rights as people in Britain, they said, but the king had stubbornly 
refused. Therefore, the colonists were justified in rebelling against 
a tyrant who had broken the social contract.
• In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the 
Declaration of Independence. This document, written by political 
leader Thomas Jefferson, was firmly based on the ideas of John 
Locke and the Enlightenment. The Declaration reflected these 
ideas in its eloquent argument for natural rights. 
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created 
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness”, states the beginning of the declaration.
• The British were not about to let their colonies leave without a 
fight. Shortly after the publication of the Declaration of 
Independence, the two sides went to war. At first glance, the 
colonists seemed destined to go down in quick defeat.
• In the end, however, the Americans won their war for 
independence.
The Colonists 
Win
• First, the Americans’ motivation for fighting was much stronger 
than that of the British, since their army was defending their 
homeland. 
• Second, the overconfident British generals made several 
mistakes. 
• Third, time itself was on the side of the Americans. The British 
could win battle after battle, as they did, and still lose the war. 
Fighting an overseas war, 3,000 miles from London, was terribly 
expensive. After a few years, tax-weary British citizens called for 
peace. 
• Finally, the Americans did not fight alone. Louis XVI of France had 
little sympathy for the ideals of the American Revolution. 
However, he was eager to weaken France’s rival, Britain. French 
entry into the war in 1778 was decisive. 
• In 1781, combined forces of about 9,500 Americans and 7,800 
French trapped a British army commanded by Lord Cornwallis 
near Yorktown, Virginia. Unable to escape, Cornwallis eventually 
surrendered. The Americans had shocked the world and won their 
independence.
Enlightenment 
Ideas and the 
U.S. 
Constitution
• Shortly after declaring their independence, the 13 individual 
states recognized the need for a national government. As victory 
became certain, all 13 states ratified a constitution in 1781. 
• This plan of government was known as the Articles of 
Confederation. The Articles established the United States as a 
republic, a government in which citizens rule through elected 
representatives.
• To protect their authority, the 13 states created a loose 
confederation in which they held most of the power. Thus, the 
Articles of Confederation deliberately created a weak national 
government.
• Colonial leaders eventually recognized the need for a strong 
national government. In February 1787, Congress approved a 
Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. 
The Constitutional Convention held its first session on May 25, 
1787.
• The 55 delegates were experienced statesmen who were familiar 
with the political theories of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. 
• The delegates’ deliberations produced not only compromises but 
also new approaches to governing. Using the political ideas of the 
Enlightenment, the delegates created a new system of 
government.
Enlightenment 
Ideas Into 
Practice
• The Federal System Like Montesquieu, the delegates distrusted a 
powerful central government controlled by one person or group.
• They therefore established three separate branches—legislative, 
executive, and judicial. This setup provided a built-in system of 
checks and balances, with each branch checking the actions of the 
other two. 
• The Bill of Rights The delegates signed the new Constitution on 
September 17, 1787. In order to become law, however, the 
Constitution required approval by conventions in at least 9 of the 
13 states.
• Supporters of the Constitution were called Federalists. Their 
opponents, the Antifederalists, feared that the Constitution gave 
the central government too much power. They also wanted a bill 
of rights to protect the rights of individual citizens. In order to gain 
support, the Federalists promised to add a bill of rights to the 
Constitution. 
• Congress formally added to the Constitution the ten amendments 
known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments protected such 
basic rights as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. 
Many of these rights had been advocated by Voltaire, Rousseau, 
and Locke.
Page 5


The Influence 
of the 
Enlightenment
• Colonial leaders used Enlightenment ideas to justify 
independence. The colonists had asked for the same political 
rights as people in Britain, they said, but the king had stubbornly 
refused. Therefore, the colonists were justified in rebelling against 
a tyrant who had broken the social contract.
• In July 1776, the Second Continental Congress issued the 
Declaration of Independence. This document, written by political 
leader Thomas Jefferson, was firmly based on the ideas of John 
Locke and the Enlightenment. The Declaration reflected these 
ideas in its eloquent argument for natural rights. 
• “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created 
equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain 
unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the 
pursuit of happiness”, states the beginning of the declaration.
• The British were not about to let their colonies leave without a 
fight. Shortly after the publication of the Declaration of 
Independence, the two sides went to war. At first glance, the 
colonists seemed destined to go down in quick defeat.
• In the end, however, the Americans won their war for 
independence.
The Colonists 
Win
• First, the Americans’ motivation for fighting was much stronger 
than that of the British, since their army was defending their 
homeland. 
• Second, the overconfident British generals made several 
mistakes. 
• Third, time itself was on the side of the Americans. The British 
could win battle after battle, as they did, and still lose the war. 
Fighting an overseas war, 3,000 miles from London, was terribly 
expensive. After a few years, tax-weary British citizens called for 
peace. 
• Finally, the Americans did not fight alone. Louis XVI of France had 
little sympathy for the ideals of the American Revolution. 
However, he was eager to weaken France’s rival, Britain. French 
entry into the war in 1778 was decisive. 
• In 1781, combined forces of about 9,500 Americans and 7,800 
French trapped a British army commanded by Lord Cornwallis 
near Yorktown, Virginia. Unable to escape, Cornwallis eventually 
surrendered. The Americans had shocked the world and won their 
independence.
Enlightenment 
Ideas and the 
U.S. 
Constitution
• Shortly after declaring their independence, the 13 individual 
states recognized the need for a national government. As victory 
became certain, all 13 states ratified a constitution in 1781. 
• This plan of government was known as the Articles of 
Confederation. The Articles established the United States as a 
republic, a government in which citizens rule through elected 
representatives.
• To protect their authority, the 13 states created a loose 
confederation in which they held most of the power. Thus, the 
Articles of Confederation deliberately created a weak national 
government.
• Colonial leaders eventually recognized the need for a strong 
national government. In February 1787, Congress approved a 
Constitutional Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation. 
The Constitutional Convention held its first session on May 25, 
1787.
• The 55 delegates were experienced statesmen who were familiar 
with the political theories of Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. 
• The delegates’ deliberations produced not only compromises but 
also new approaches to governing. Using the political ideas of the 
Enlightenment, the delegates created a new system of 
government.
Enlightenment 
Ideas Into 
Practice
• The Federal System Like Montesquieu, the delegates distrusted a 
powerful central government controlled by one person or group.
• They therefore established three separate branches—legislative, 
executive, and judicial. This setup provided a built-in system of 
checks and balances, with each branch checking the actions of the 
other two. 
• The Bill of Rights The delegates signed the new Constitution on 
September 17, 1787. In order to become law, however, the 
Constitution required approval by conventions in at least 9 of the 
13 states.
• Supporters of the Constitution were called Federalists. Their 
opponents, the Antifederalists, feared that the Constitution gave 
the central government too much power. They also wanted a bill 
of rights to protect the rights of individual citizens. In order to gain 
support, the Federalists promised to add a bill of rights to the 
Constitution. 
• Congress formally added to the Constitution the ten amendments 
known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments protected such 
basic rights as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. 
Many of these rights had been advocated by Voltaire, Rousseau, 
and Locke.
The French 
Revolution
• The American Revolution inspired the growing number of French 
people who sought reform in their own country. 
• They saw the new government of the United States as the 
fulfillment of Enlightenment ideals and longed for such a 
government in France.
• The Declaration of Independence was widely circulated and 
admired in France. 
• In the 1700’s, France was considered the most advanced country 
of Europe; it had a prosperous foreign trade, was the center of the 
Enlightenment, and its culture was widely praised and imitated by 
the rest of the world. 
• However, the appearance of success was deceiving. 
• There was great unrest in France, caused by bad harvests, high 
prices, high taxes, and disturbing questions raised by the 
Enlightenment ideas of Locke, Rousseau, and Voltaire.