The multiple Revolutions that took place in the 18th to 20th century were spearheaded by the American Revolution, however, the following revolutions in France, Haiti, and Spanish- America, all were inspired by one another and fought for similar reformations. The Enlightenment also heavily influenced all of these revolutions, since it provided progressive ideas that became widely accepted amid oppression and injustice. However, the revolutions that had taken place both undoubtedly succeeded, while also failing at achieving the goals that were created at the beginning of the revolutions.
The first two revolutions that had occurred in the Americas, and in France were arguably the most successful at achieving most of the goals they had set for themselves. After being neglected by the British government for an extensive period, the British suddenly demanded taxation and implemented tariffs on goods from the American colonies. The colonies were infuriated with their sudden loss of local autonomy and their identity as Englishmen, squandering away, as a result of parliament not raising taxes on the motherland British people. Armed with not only the ideas of the Enlightenment, but also ones that include: no taxation without representation, independence from Britain, and the preservation of rights. The colonies went to war against the British, and with the help of the French, the colonies won and upheld all of their original intentions, while also adding other progressive ideas of that time, such as the exchange of power opening up to people of different backgrounds, the eventual abolition of slavery, and the reduction of property requirements. The American Revolution truly became an excellent model for other revolutions to replicate, since they were not only able to achieve their original goals but also make other positive reformations. Although the French Revolution fulfilled most of the main goals of the revolution, it also allowed for some leeway. While being on the brink of bankruptcy the French created an Estate system to help decide how to tax the rich. The lower-class representatives eventually assumed the power of the whole government and implemented ideas, which eventually launched the French Revolution and radicalized many of the participants in the National Assembly. The revolution was a violent, far-reaching, and radical social upheaval, in which the elites were targeted and killed by the masses. The original goals of the French Revolution, in most cases, were met at least for some time. These goals include equal voting rights, stable taxation, affordable food, and the implementation of Enlightenment ideas. However, as time went on a military dictator named Napolean did not adhere to the original political goals, which were similar to a democracy, rather Napolean returned France to a feudalistic society.
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The last two revolutions of the Atlantic Revolutions were not nearly as successful as the American, and French revolutions, especially when considering the long-term implications of the revolutions. The Haitian Revolution began with the intention to separate from France after the French Revolution lit several fuses and set in motion a spiral of violence that engulfed the colony. Although the revolution against France was successful, the internal conflict between the classes proved fatal for Haiti, as all the classes battled one another for control of Haiti. Eventually, the slaves won the war led by Toussaint Louverture. After the revolution, Haiti never returned to its former glory, and prominence as a leading exporter of coffee, and sugar, nor did the country truly ever fulfill its goal of being free from slavery since after the revolution it became a slave to poverty. The revolution that had occurred in Latin America was also a very unsuccessful one both in the short and long term. This revolution was fueled by the Spanish colonies becoming offended and insulted by the Spanish monarchy’s efforts during the eighteenth century to exercise greater power over the colonies, while also subjecting them to high taxes. There was a push for a revolution sparked by implementing ideas created by the Enlightenment. However, nothing formed into a revolution, only after Napoleon’s conquests of Spain, did most countries in Latin America become independent, not as one single country, as was intended and attempted several times. Although the independence from Spain in some cases was good, the lack of unity amongst South American colonies led to its underdevelopment, and impoverishment, even though the colonies used to be some of the most lucrative.
Therefore as the Atlantic Revolutions had occurred, one can notice how some of the revolutions proved to be more fulfill the original goals while others deviated from them.
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