The Revolutionary Era

This course explores the revolutions that shook Europe and the Americas during the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. These revolutions, which continue to play a vital role in myths of national identity, not only helped to foster modern democratic politics, but also caused enormous social change. In this course we will examine the causes, course and consequences of these revolutions. Topics covered will include comparative revolutions, the popular basis for revolution, universal rights (their origins and limitations), commerce and revolution, and the legacy of the revolutionary era.