HIST 1101: The Shaping of the Modern World: Unit 5

Oct 5

The European Enlightenment

In this class, we will consider some of the persons and ideas that characterize the European Enlightenment. Who participated in “Enlightenment” thinking? Who were its beneficiaries?

Assignment: Read in OER textbook chapter 7.1-7.2 (pp.247–262) and read the following primary sources via internet links: John Locke, Two Treatises on Government (extracts)

 Rousseau: The Social Contract (Extracts);

Strongly recommended read (BB): “Wicked Liberty” from Graeber and Wengrow, The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity (New York 2021), pp. 27–77

When preparing for class, think about what features seem to be common to Enlightenment thinkers? What features differ among them? Did Enlightenment thinkers anticipate that their ideals would be pursued by all people (of all race, gender, or status) or not? How, if at all, do you think that Enlightenment values shape our thinking in society today? What do you think are the origins of Enlightenment thinking?

Oct 10

No Class meeting

College Conversion day (=Monday classes)

Oct 12

Global economies, the Enlightenment, Atlantic Revolutions

What was the relationship between the Enlightenment and political revolution? In this class we will consider how the United States, Haiti, and France differently adapted and responded to Enlightenment ideals. We will discuss the differences between American, Hatian, and French efforts toward revolution and consider why and how the outcomes of the revolutions turned out so differently.

Assignment: read in OER textbook chapter 6.2-6.4 (Globalization, pp. 218-233); and chapters 7.3.–7.4 (pp. 262–279)

read primary source links online: Thomas Paine, Common Sense (On Origins of Government) and The Declaration of Independence ; Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen

Before class, consider why you think that the American, French and Haitian revolutions turned out so differently? What do these differences say about distinctions between American and French economies and notions of “personhood”? Do you think that the American Revolution continues to impact the United States today? Also read:
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/08/science/archaeology-red-bank-battle-hessian.html?smid=em-share Title: Archaeologists found the remains of 14 soldiers who died in a pivotal Revolutionary War battle — a fresh reminder of the violence of war).

Oct 17

Atlantic revolutions; ideals and limitations

Read: Olympe de Gouges: “Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizen” ; Toussant L’ouverture, Memoires (blackboard) and discussion;

This class will consider the limitations of both Enlightenment and Revolutionary ideals and practices; Soll’s book review of Bevilacqua, The Republic of Arabic Letters (Harvard 2018). Are the origins of the Enlightenment as clear as they once seemed? Why so or why not? Following the Atlantic Revolutions did the ideals of the Enlightenment ultimately apply to all people or just a select few? And what were the fates of the Atlantic Revolutions?