Age of Revolution

Quick Facts: Who was Age of Revolution?

Subject:

Age of Revolution

Known for:

A period spanning the late 18th to mid-19th century marked by sweeping political upheavals.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

The Age of Revolution is a period from the late-18th to the mid-19th centuries during which a number of significant revolutionary movements occurred in most of Europe and the Americas. The period is noted for the change from absolutist monarchies to representative governments with a written constitution, and the creation of nation states. Influenced by the new ideas of the Enlightenment, the American Revolution (1765–1783) is usually considered the starting point of the Age of Revolution. Later revolution would be the French Revolution of 1789, the revolution that rapidly spread to the rest of Europe through its wars. In 1799, Napoleon took power in France and continued the French Revolutionary Wars by conquering most of continental Europe.

Career & Major Achievements

Although Napoleon imposed on his conquests several modern concepts such as equality before the law, or a civil code, his rigorous military occupation triggered national rebellions, notably in Spain and Germany. After Napoleon's defeat, European great powers forged the Holy Alliance at the Congress of Vienna in 1814–15, in an attempt to prevent future revolutions, and also restored the previous monarchies. Nevertheless, Spain was considerably weakened by the Napoleonic Wars and could not control its American colonies, almost all of which proclaimed their independence between 1810 and 1820. Revolution then spread back to southern Europe in 1820, with uprisings in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece. Continental Europe was shaken by two similar revolutionary waves in 1830 and 1848, also called the Spring of Nations.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The democratic demands of the revolutionaries often merged with independence or national unification movements, such as in Italy, Germany, Poland, Hungary, etc. The violent repression of the Spring of Nations marked the end of the era. The expression was popularized by the British historian Eric Hobsbawm in his book The Age of Revolution: Europe 1789–1848, published in 1962. The revolutions took place in both the Americas and Europe, including the United States (1775–1783), Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1788–1792), France and French-controlled Europe (1789–1814), Haiti (1791–1804), Ireland (1798) and Spanish America (1810–1825). There were smaller upheavals in Switzerland, Russia, and Brazil. The revolutionaries in these countries knew of each other, and to some degree were inspired by or emulated each other.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1765: 1765 Milestone — Influenced by the new ideas of the Enlightenment, the American Revolution (1765–1783) is usually considered the starting point of the Age of Revolution.
2. 1775: 1775 Milestone — The revolutions took place in both the Americas and Europe, including the United States (1775–1783), Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth (1788–1792), France and French-controlled Europe (1789–1814), Haiti (1791–1804), Ireland (1798) and Spanish America (1810–1825).
3. 1789: 1789 Milestone — Later revolution would be the French Revolution of 1789, the revolution that rapidly spread to the rest of Europe through its wars.
4. 1799: 1799 Milestone — In 1799, Napoleon took power in France and continued the French Revolutionary Wars by conquering most of continental Europe.
5. 1810: 1810 Milestone — Nevertheless, Spain was considerably weakened by the Napoleonic Wars and could not control its American colonies, almost all of which proclaimed their independence between 1810 and 1820.
6. 1814: 1814 Milestone — After Napoleon's defeat, European great powers forged the Holy Alliance at the Congress of Vienna in 1814–15, in an attempt to prevent future revolutions, and also restored the previous monarchies.
7. 1820: 1820 Milestone — Revolution then spread back to southern Europe in 1820, with uprisings in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece.
8. 1830: 1830 Milestone — Continental Europe was shaken by two similar revolutionary waves in 1830 and 1848, also called the Spring of Nations.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Age of Revolution

True or False: “The Age of Revolution was solely characterized by the establishment of constitutional monarchies across Europe.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While some areas saw constitutional changes, the period was fundamentally defined by movements aiming to overthrow absolutist rule and establish republican or representative governments.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Eli Whitney — Historical peer (Born in 1765) (1765): American inventor best known for the cotton gin, shaping the Antebellum South's economy.
• Francis I, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Died in 1765) (1765): Last non-Habsburg Holy Roman Emperor; founder of the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
• Adam František Kollár — Historical peer (Died in 1783) (1783): Pioneering Slovak jurist, historian, and coiner of the term ethnology.
• Agustín de Iturbide — Historical peer (Born in 1783) (1783): Mexican military officer and politician who became the first Emperor of Mexico.
• Arabanoo — Historical peer (Died in 1789) (1789): Eora man forcibly taken by British colonists, becoming a key figure in early interactions.
• Augustin-Louis Cauchy — Historical peer (Born in 1789) (1789): Pioneered real and complex analysis, fundamentally shaping modern mathematics.
• Alexander Pushkin — Historical peer (Born in 1799) (1799): Founder of modern Russian literature and a towering figure of the Romantic era.
• Amos Bronson Alcott — Historical peer (Born in 1799) (1799): Pioneering American educator, philosopher, and advocate for human spiritual perfection.
• Adolphe Sax — Historical peer (Born in 1814) (1814): Belgian inventor who created the saxophone and revolutionized wind instruments.
• Alexander Cunningham — Historical peer (Born in 1814) (1814): Pioneering British archaeologist and founder of the Archaeological Survey of India.

Frequently Asked Questions about Age of Revolution