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What Was the Revolutionary Age?

The Revolutionary Age was a period in history marked by political, military and social revolutions against the established order in these spheres. It began roughly with the American War of Independence (1775 -- 1781) and continued into the 19th century with the Industrial Revolution. It was a time when absolute monarchies were replaced by constitutionalist states and republics and new ways of thought opened up new possibilities and ways of doing things.

The American Revolution
- The American War of Independence began after the British monarchy began to seek to share with the colonists the burden of running and defending its possessions. Taxes were raised, drawing the ire of colonists, most famously with the Boston Tea Party. The war began in 1775, and in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed. The British forces were eventually defeated. They surrendered in 1781.
The French Revolution
- The French Revolution is generally considered to have begun in 1789 with the Tennis Court Oath, the storming of the Bastille and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It was a reaction to the oppression of the French monarchy, which had ruled France for centuries. The king was overthrown and executed by guillotine. The Reign of Terror ensued. For many years, royals, noblemen, aristocrats and anyone suspected of being sympathetic to the old regime were executed in the tens of thousands. The French Revolution is said to have ended with Napoleon's rise to power in 1799.
The Industrial Revolution
- The Industrial Revolution also occurred during the Revolutionary Age. It was a time when new methods of manufacturing profoundly changed society. The Industrial Revolution began in the 18th century in England, where the demand for cotton soared. Consequently, new inventions, such as the 'Spinning Jenny,' made the weaving of cotton fabrics more efficient and allowed clothing to be produced on a vast scale. This stimulated other industries, and soon steam power was being used to power other new machinery in factories. The latter innovation eventually led to the development of mass production. The cheaper and more plentiful goods produced meant that many people could afford what they could not have purchased in the past. The Industrial Revolution spurred urbanization and modernization in many countries.
The Age of Reason
- The Revolutionary Age was also a time of new thinking in which philosophers challenged the church and state. This period is known as the age of reason. It was a time when the superstitions and mysticism of the past were replaced by more rational ways of thinking, and scientific analysis began to replace the unquestioned beliefs of the past.

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