Module Project_WH_Addie Weil

Haitian Revolution

The Haitian Revolution began in 1791 after news of the French Revolution had spread to Hispaniola - the island Haiti is located on. Divisions based on a person’s income and wealth immediately followed the spread of information regarding the French Revolution. Haiti’s largest crops of production were sugar and coffee. Both plants required much caretaking, resulting in the mass use of slavery. Nearly 450,000 slaves were located in Haiti, compared to the free population of 70,000. The slaves revolted in 1791. The French National Convention instituted laws giving and protecting the rights of free blacks to help remedy and end the revolution. When that act did not prove enough, the French ended slavery altogether. This deed provided an opportunity for a prominent, free black general, Toussaint L’Ouverture, to take command and begin solidifying his power in Haiti. L’Ouverture’s arrival arose apprehension between races: mulattos versus blacks, blacks versus whites, minorities versus whites. Although tensions remained, no further revolution broke out. L’Ouverture introduced a constitution calling for independence for Haiti in 1801. Napoleon Bonaparte was infuriated by L’Ouverture’s command, and he tried - and failed - one final time to regain control of Haiti. By 1804, the war had ceased, and Haiti was free.

Writing and "New Harmony" of Robert Owens

Robert Owen was a British utopian socialist. Born in 1771, he is famous for his views on education, equality, and his study in New Harmony, Indiana. Like other socialists, Owen did not believe in Adam Smith’s ideas of capitalism or Karl Marx’s harsh approach to communism. Owen believed that the workers should be paid more for their labor. Owen became wealthy by owning a successful cotton mill; he used that wealth to support his employees: higher wages, lighter workdays, and building schools to educate the workers.

Already a successful businessman, Owen used his wealth to purchase the town of New Harmony, Indiana in 1825. His goal was to promote and obtain equality and education for all. Paradoxically, Owen’s mission failed because of human nature – supporting unrest and causing quarrels. By 1827 – just two years after the start of the experiment – Owen's New Harmony was dismantled. However, the town’s principles inspired future feminist activity, equality, and the significance of education.

Boxer Rebellion

The Boxer Rebellion was orchestrated by a secret society in China that wanted to bring about the end of all western influence in their country, including Christian missionaries and even Chinese citizens who had converted to Christianity. The society’s name meant “Society of the Fist of Righteous Harmony,” but was nicknamed the “Boxers” because of how the Chinese name sounded to the foreigners. Secretly, the Chinese Government - headed by the monarch Dowager Empress – supported the scornful group. The Boxers declared rebellion against their enemies in August 1900. The revolt was quickly ended by European powers who allied together to end the Boxers and cripple the Chinese government.

II Risorgimento

Newspaper

The II Risorgimento newspaper was established on December 15, 1847. Until 1848, Cesare Balbo, a political writer, led the paper. Count Camillo Benso di Cavour was the editor of the paper up to 1848, at which point he took over full production. In Italian, Risorgimento means “rebuilding.” The name is fitting, considering Cavour called for Italian independence in the paper. Cavour also strove to establish Italian states, to unite royalty and the citizens, and to create drastic changes in the government. The paper was extremely influential in encouraging people to support the freedom and sovereignty of Italy. During Cavour’s writings and political coercion, the northern and central locations of Italy became free. The French intervened to assist Cavour in ridding Italy of Austrians. As Cavour’s political journeys lengthened, he had less need for the written words of the II Risorgimento. In 1849, the II Risorgimento merged with the Nazione. The new paper continued to pursue and advocate for government and economic policies during the 1850s.

https://www.ohio.edu/chastain/rz/risorgnw.htm

Social Reform - Education

The Education Social Reform began in the 1800s. The reform was headed by Horace Mann who served as the Massachusetts Secretary of Education. Referred to as the father of American public education, Mann visited Prussia and returned with information and customs that would forever change schools in America. Prior to his changes to society, schools were a rarity. Most students received in-home education, at best; wealthier families had the funds to hire tutors. While in Prussia, Mann saw their stance on education and believed the United States would benefit from similar policies. A long process began to make education obligatory by law, ensure the equality of education, construct a division of students by grade level, and introduce a property tax to make education free for students. The United States possessed one of the highest literary rates in the world during the late 19th century. In 1918, attending elementary school became mandatory across the United States.

https://courses.lumenlearning.com/boundless-ushistory/chapter/educational-reforms/#:~:text=Education%20reform%2C%20championed%20by%20Horace,tax%20to%20finance%20public%20education.