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French Revolution
The Third Estate (which made up 97% of the population) were fighting to lift the tax burden placed on them by King Louis XVI. This occurred in France and was successful in the short term because the monarch was replaced with the National Assembly. -
Saint Dominique Revolution
The Free People of Color in Saint Dominique (present day Haiti) wanted France to change the 100 year old law called the Black Code so that they'd have the same rights as any Frenchman. They were unsuccessful, but this resistance continued to fuel the people's desire for a revolution. -
Venezuelan Revolution
The Venezuelan peasants/poor class, called the mestizos, along with the landowners petitioned Spain to allow the mestizos the same privileges enjoyed by the landowners, and for the landowners to be able to sell goods on the open market and not to Spanish authorities only. Due to Napoleon's occupation of Spain at the time, Venezuela did gain its independence, but it was short lived. Once Napoleon was exiled, Spain regained control of its colonies, to include Venezuela, in 1814. -
Mexican Independence
Led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla, Mexico's people of mixed heritage fought to be free from Spain's oppressive rule. They wanted liberty and rights and revolted against unjust taxation and suppressed nationalism. Hidalgo's revolt was unsuccessful, however he fueled additional resistance to Spain's rule in Mexico and they won independence years later in 1821. -
Indian National Congress
India sought independence from Britain's colonial rule and desired to appoint its own rulers. Intelligent citizens from India formed the Indian National Congress, which failed to get India independence in the short term. Ghandi was an integral part of the Indian National Congress, which was strictly against the use of force. Ghandi believed in peaceful, political negotiations with Britain. India did gain independence eventually in 1947. -
Philippine Independence
The US acquired the Philippines at the conclusion of the Spanish-American War in 1898. Filipinos had already declared their independence from Spain and did not want a US occupation. What resulted from Philippines' revolt was years of bloody rebellion and fighting. The Philippines would not gain their independence until 1946.
