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The American Revolution
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Stamp Act imposes direct taxes on colonies, leading to "No taxation without representation" protests. -
British troops fire on protesters, heightening anti-British sentiment. -
Colonists dump tea in harbor to protest taxes. -
"Shot heard 'round the world" starts the war. -
Declaration of Independence adopted, proclaiming separation from Britain. -
British surrender, effectively ends major fighting. -
Britain recognizes U.S. independence. -
Estates-General convenes to address financial crisis, leading to Third Estate demands. -
The French Revolution
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Third Estate vows to create a constitution. -
Symbolizes start of revolution against royal authority. -
Outlines liberty and equality. -
French Republic declared after monarchy abolished. -
Mass executions to purge enemies.
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Guillotined for treason, radicalizing the revolution. -
Robespierre executed, ends Terror. National Convention moderates -
Napoleon seizes power, ending the Revolution. -
Mexico achieves independence from Spain, marking the end of colonial rule. -
Santa Anna's multiple presidencies: Centralizes power, suppresses federalist revolts, but leads to instability.
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Ends Mexican-American war, cedes half of Mexico's territory to U.S. -
Benito Juárez: Establishes liberal federal republic, secularizes society. -
Archduke Maximilian of Austria installed as emperor by French forces. -
Juárez's forces triumph, restore republic. -
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Modernizes economy but through authoritarian rule and foreign investment.
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Francisco Madero calls for revolt against Díaz, official start of Revolution. -
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Demands land reform. Start rebelling in north (Villa) and south (Zapata) -
Venustiano Carranza rises to prominence -
Coup assassinates Madero. -
Battle of Celaya: Constitutionalists defeat Villa. -
Carranza implements the Constitution of 1917. Includes land, labor reforms. -
Zapata is assassinated by Carranza's agents. -
Carranza overthrown and killed; Alvaro Obregón rises to power but does not remain a dictator (end of major fighting). -
Obregón is assassinated but a new political party called the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) takes power and does not tolerate opposition. Held power until 2000.