The

Enlightenment and Its Legacy, Revolution and Reaction, Mar 10 (2)

Revolution
The American War of Independence 1775-83

Several revolutions as a result of enlightenment values – i.e. of equality, liberty,
freedom of the marketplace or individual, free will. Impact on people especially on
colonists who move to USA.

These colonies governed by France, England Spain, western US is France, and
Florida is Spain.

The 13 colonies owned by British were beginning to rebel. Why?

Since England got a constitutional monarchy (revolution of 1668) – the sovereign
can exercise their authority on in accordance with the written constitution, i.e.
within the legal framework of that government. Can give royal assent to legislation
like GG in Canada. This constitutional monarchy allows the government since 1707
in England to set public policy. Monarchy becomes symbol of national unity. Power
in parliament. Huge impact on USA in terms of independence

1763-1775 relations between NA colonies and Britain strained because Britain
more controlling especially with more taxation. All goods going out taxed an
exportation tax and all goods going into colonies were taxed as well. No taxation
without representation – why pay taxes when they don’t have representative on
council in Parliament

They wanted armed struggle. Events led up to that. One event was Boston Massacre

13. The Boston Massacre, March 5, 1770 – pivotal event in history. Group of
protestors about taxing. Soldiers the red coats opened fired on civilian men, killing 5
people. They wanted legal recourse for murder for peaceful demonstration. British
charged 9 soldiers. 7 acquitted, other 2 guilty manslaughter. This heightened
tensions

14. Next big event was the Boston Tea Party. Nathaniel Currier, The Destruction of
Tea at Boston Harbor, 1773, print 1846 – because all goods coming into the colonies
were taxed, they didn’t allow goods come in especially tea, because Britain brought
in the tea act 1773 that allowed the British East India Company to be free of import
duties, giving them a monopoly. Government shouldn’t be interfering in free market,
this was not taken well. Lots of smuggling of tea and other goods took place, not only
by local citizens and Dutch. When ships came to unload bales of tea, 342 chests of
tea to unload, all the ports said no. when they got to Boston, ships forced to drop
anchor and not moor to peers. Group of men dressed as Indians/ Natives, went out
to boats and threw tea into the harbor. This was a declaration of resistance by the

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colonies. First continental congress of 1774 by 13 colonies was declared. In the
congress, elected George Washington to command continental army against British.

15. Jean-Antoine Houdon, George Washington, Va. 1788-92 – British minutemen
were chased out of Boston by the continental army in 1776, but that war continued
until 1783. Led of resistance by George Washington. This image similar to Louis
Regault – aristocratic pose, cane. But casual pose, no airs. No pedestal beside him, he
has a Gatling gun (repeater rifle) speaks about leading revolution army. Shown in
everyday clothing of a working gentleman of the time, cloak and sword, hair tied
back without wig. A statesmen, strong, fort right man, looks evenly not down his
nose. This image upholds enlightenment ideas (liberty, equality, fraternity) but as a
man among men.

July Declaration of Independence drafted, they demand equal rights and the right to
bear arms, private property etc. ideals of the enlightenment.

One of ideas of enlightenment is right of education.

16. Peter Harrison, Redwood Library, Newport, 1749 – one of the first buildings
created for new USA and previous to the declaration is a library. See a postcard.
Where people can borrow books, free access of information. Collectors, pope, owned
great libraries in renaissance. Concept that books can be freely accessed was
revolutionary .

used the Palladian style. The columns on front are Doric or Tuscan columns, call up
Republican Rome not imperial Rome. US becomes a republic (representational
government). Government buildings in Washington are done in this Palladian neo-
classical roman republic style.

17. Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, Charlottesville, 1770-84 – home of Jefferson. He
was the principle author of the declaration of independence, he was also an amateur
architect. Not a government unless others recognize you, your citizenship, currency
not recognized. Sent delegates to Europe, one was Jefferson. It is there that he came
contact with Palladio style and ideas of neoclassical architecture. He remodels his
residence to favor this style.

For first time a nation state that creates its ideals, laws and constitution based on
the Enlightenment ideals. Also how to bring 13 colonies together when they were
separate. One of the models was the Iroquois Confederacy. This was a league
translated as ‘of peace and power’ by 5-6 Iroquois nations. interesting that the
forefathers of constitution looked at the Iroquois organization as model.

The American War of independence was just the beginning of revolution

The French Revolution:

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This revolutionary period beginning of the end of feudal and monarchal system,
each monarchy becomes a constitutional monarchy or declare themselves nation
states in the centuries to follow.

Look at the history sheet

18. Jacque-Louis David, The Oath of the Horatii, 1784-85 – need to know that this
precedes the French Revolution. Talk about feminization of monarchy.

This is a very large history, neoclassic painting heroic past of the Roman not empire
but the founding of Rome. Ideal subject for Louis XVI not the son of Louis XV but the
grandson because the Dauphine of France, his father, did not rule because he died
and the throne was given to his son Louis XVI. Its commissioned by Louis XVI to
counteract the criticisms of the philosophs of monarchy for 1) feminization
influence and 2) immoral - decadence, Fragonard, not appropriate for common
people.

Subject of image is oath given by 3 Horatii brothers to their father in middle. The
oath is to battle the Coratii brothers, from Rome’s neighboring city Elba. Cities
agreed rather than all out war, these two sets of brothers would battle. With this
image, brothers get swords and promising father they will defeat the Coratii for
honour, for the father, for Rome, because it’s their duty.

Interesting image for Louis XVI because he has to see himself as the father, that the 3
brothers are his subjects willing to defend his monarchy.

The women weeping and moaning. Sisters heads together, two children embraced
by maybe grandmother wearing widow’s black. Perfect representation of gender
differences. Women care nothing about honour, only care about emotions and loss.
Appealing to the monarch because he is trying to counteract, i.e. women influence in
court, they are weak, no nothing about politics there are just here to take care of
children.

The Horatii and Coratti battle all die except one. he returns to his father and does
not say they lost but they were victorious. His sister becomes distraught crying now
she knows her betrothed is dead. Brother is so furious, he kills his sister. This is a
story known. How does various factions setting lines within French society take up
this image.

Why liberals or those who follow Enlightenment take up this image? They are smart
enough to realize that the columns are not imperial, they are republican Rome. They
see figure in middle as will of the people. Brothers defend republic of Rome, like
France is a republic they will defend it.

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Criticism – big hole between brothers and father did not like it. Liberals said it was
truthful, not everything in art is set up by design, shows the truth of what could have
happen.

This is a pivotal moment in art history where opposing sides could see something of
value in the image.

See Khan Academy

19. Marie-Louise-Elisabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Marie Antoinette with her Children, 1787

Louis the XVI is king. Married to Marie-Antoinette the arch duchess of Austria. They
had kids. The King was involved in many wars, going on for whole century,
specifically that cost a lot was 7 years war, that pitted France against England.
England was with Prussia and France with Austria. This was carried out in Europe
and the colonies. Upper Canada and Lower Canada fought on Canadian soil and
other colonies. Very expensive, as well as lavish lifestyle of King and aristocrats.

Louis XVI sold off crown land, lots of merchants wanted land. These bourgeois
became land lords and give them seat in parliament. Difficulty in future. But King
decides to raise taxes for the aristocracy and the church and middle class. Church
and aristocracy don’t want it, and suggest king call the 3 estates or the Estate
General, which include the church, the aristocracy and the bourgeoisie. When it
dawns that the numbers of the bourgeoisie in government outweigh them in terms
of numbers and could block the vote. The aristocracy and church, happy if the
bourgeois block the vote because they don’t want taxes. What King does (not wise)
is he decides calls the Estate General on a date, but only secretly tells only
aristocracy and church to show up

20. Jacques-Louis David of the Tennis Court Oath, June 17, 1789 – he calls the date of
vote June 14, 1789. He locks the doors, and the bourgeoisie can’t go in and vote. 3
days later, the bourgeoisie meet in a tennis court near the Societe General.

This artwork is a preliminary drawing for a large scale painting, image of the
National Assembly, the 3rd estate. They are taking an oath not to separate but to
reassemble whenever required until the constitution of the kingdom is established
until they can create a constitutional monarchy they will continue to meet.

1789- beginning of the French Revolution

1788 financial crisis of the monarchy; the noble Parliaments block attempts to
impose taxes on church and aristocracy. Meeting of the three estates (Estates
general].

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When people learn the 3rd estate blocked out and they are writing their own
constitution, people take into own hands, they storm the Bastille. The Bastille is the
King’s prison symbol his authority on July 14, 1789

21. The Bastille, King’s Prison/ symbol of authority is stormed, torn down on July
14, 1789 – the bourgeoisie free the prisoners many were political. They start tearing
down the Bastille. Huge the Bastille was, scar on landscape. Top of image, people
with pic axes chipping away little by little.

22. Hubert Robert, The Bastille during the First Days of its Demolition, 1789

23. Declaration of the Rights of Man, Liberte, egalite, fraternite
- By august there is the declaration of the rights of Man. Based on Liberte, egalite,
fraternite. These enlightenment ideals put forward in social contract by Rousseau
and the philosophs are the foundation of the Declaration, just like 13 colonies
Declaration of Independence and constitution on same ideals

Next thing they do the government is abolish feudal system. Feudal still owned
peasants working land. They now free people

1789 The Estates General meets in May
The Bastille, King’s prison is stormed, torn down on July 14
Declaration of the Rights of Man and citizen, August
Feudal system is abolished, August
An angry mob of working women marched on the Palace of Versailles,
October
King and Family imprisoned in Tuileries Palace in Paris
Church property is nationalized, November

October, King was refusing to recognize the changes, ignoring it. Ensconced in
Versailles and did not take it serious enough. This is when Marie Antoinette when
she heard people were starving, said, let them eat cake. This wasn’t true, but what
people believed.

October 5, 1789 an angry mob of working women marched to Versailles infiltrate
palace and try to kill queen. The situation diffused, royals were spared. The royals
are taken into custody, taken to Paris and captive in the Tuileries Palace (east wing
Louvre), could not leave. Reason was to force King to recognize constitutional
monarchy. He refused especially with the support of Queen.

24. Jacques-Louis David, the Lictors Returning to Brutus the Bodies of his Sons for
Burial, 1789
David always had radical tendencies even though he worked for the King, he is now
supporting the constitution of radicals who want to govern.

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This image like the sentiments of the Oath of Horatii is about family honour and who
will give up their lives for family honour. Now being presented within the new
politics of a hopeful French constitutional government or republic. Brutus, a
republican senator, when he finds out his sons are not supporting his position has
them put to death because state should take precedence over family. Image also
downplays role of women, making them subject to their emotions not
understanding greater good of state.

Khan Academy:

25. Louis XVI is captured, June 25, 1791
After the King in 1789, is captured they take away the church property and
nationalize it. Becomes government property to use as they see fit.

By 1791, royals locked up for 2 years, messages leaked out from Marie Antoinette
that created a scheme that she and king hope to escape to make their way to French
border to Austria. She was a arch duchess of Austria hoping Austria will come to her
defense, meet her, protect her and muster an army to go into France to claim back
the monarchy.

Disguise themselves as servants, have coach waiting, goes towards Varens. Gets
leaked and captured. Captured on June 25, 1791. 1791, same year that the
constitutional monarchy is finalized. He refuses and takes flight.

26. 1792 the monarchies of Prussia and Austria declare War on the Revolutionary
Government, July; other monarchies follow suit, war continues until 1814

As a result to appeal to Austria and other monarchies, both Prussia and Austria
declare war against revolutionaries in July 1792.

Republic declared, September – this new government without King, need to defend
their territories. Create an army. For the first time, we have people who are signing
up to go to war because willing to go to war because they believe in cause. They are
going to win more battles because they believe in those values. They fought against
mercenaries who probably believed in the French people’s values, not entirely
committed to the cause.

This whole declaration of war was creating beautiful uniforms. Pride of red, white
and blue. Represents the 3 estates and ideas of equality, fraternity, liberty. Colours
become symbol of revolutionary army. Pride in people, soldiers marching defend
ideas. Pour probably never had clothes so good. Nationalism mustered.

Because of commitment, they are very successful.

27. Louis XVI executed, January; beginning of the Reign of Terror, 1793:
1793 Louis XVI executed, January

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 The “Terror” begins, June
Marat assassinated, July

Beginning of 1793, a more radical faction takes over government. No revolution is
single event or can be uniform in goals, objects or beliefs. Such is case of French
revolution. The church, middle class, bourgeoisie all want different things, all want
what consider justice in government all vying for power.

The Jacobeans came to dominate politics. a more radical group. One of things they
did is they decided to execute the King. As long as he was alive, these nation states
can put him on throne. If they kill him the nation states will recognize them.

This led to the Reign of Terror. Jacobeans lead by Robespierre, today we consider
him an egalitarian democrat. He believed in equality and democratic government. In
order to promote those ends, he said that aristocrats who defied government and
notion of equality, would be seized, imprisoned and they tried. Resulted in reign of
terror, tens of thousands lost heads. Those who could not escape lost lives.

So did King. Time of turmoil. Once again, David was radical. Aligned himself of the
Jacobeans. Became member of the general security, the police oversaw the Reign of
Terror. He was also in charge of public spectacles – including pageants, celebrations,
art, public displays. Realized people art so important to create nationalism pride
.wanted this

28. Jacque-Louis David, The Death of Marat, 1793 – painting during time of
Jacobean. Marat was a pamphleteer. He created them and distributed. He was a
Jacobean, radical. Also man of people, loved by working classes.

Image shows his death as if stabbed. Sit in bathtub of medicinal water. Had skin
disease, did his work in bath. Charlotte Cordet Damon of the merchant class, she
belong to opposing party of Jacobean. The Gudgeons, the conservatives. She sent
letter to Marat, saying that she needed his signature on this letter/ petition, and she
will go to his place to get the signed letter. When she does and meets him, she stabs
him in chest, drops knife and flees from room.

Shows bloody knife on ground, working from bath, quill in hand, letter is signed by
her. He’s got wooden box as desk. Thrown off decorative decadence arts of the
aristocrats. Austere background, light shining down on him. Using a language that is
very familiar given France had been catholic country, church cancelled out for
government.

Martyrdom of Christians, Caravaggio esque influence. Marat is a martyr for the
cause. Uses a religious language the Pieta, the dead Christ, before entombing. Look
to past for inspiration, use it in new way to create new meaning.

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Important to Jacobeans to do this portrait. This was attached to cart that pulled
Marat’s coffin to funeral, great spectacle. Wanted make sure everybody knew they
had nothing to do with Marat’s death. David give his talents to this cause.

Khan Academy:

29. Elizabeth Vigee-Lebrun, Marie Antoinette, 1778-9 – Marie is executed. She was
hated for her decadence.

Scribbled drawing by David of Queen Marie Antoinette on the way to the Scaffold,
1797, looks bedraggled, wearing peasants clothing. Her days were numbered
resulted in Oct 16, 1793 execution