REVOLUTIONS 101
What is the main difference between a rebellion and a revolution?
A rebellion is resistance without changing the system; a revolution creates lasting change in power or structure.
Who did most Native Americans support during the American Revolution?
The British, fearing colonists would take more of their land.
Who issued Romanus Pontifex?
Pope Nicholas V.
Who established colonies in Hispaniola?
Christopher Columbus.
How did Las Casas describe the natives?
As innocent sheep.
Name two things you would see if a revolution was successful in Erewhon.
New leaders in power, fairer laws, lasting political or social change.
What was one way women contributed during the Revolution?
Spying, fundraising, or running farms while men fought.
What Bible verse was used to justify “dominion” over the earth?
Genesis 1:28 (“Be fruitful, multiply, subdue the earth, and have dominion…”)
Name one resource the Spanish wanted from Hispaniola.
Gold, land, or labor.
What animals did Las Casas compare Spaniards to?
Tigers, wolves, and lions.
What does “closing the loop” mean when studying multiple revolutions?
Reviewing connections across revolutions to see patterns and themes.
Why did some enslaved Africans support the British?
The British promised freedom if they fought for them.
What was the purpose of the Doctrine of Discovery?
To give Christian European nations the right to claim non-Christian lands.
Who was Bartolomé de Las Casas?
A Spanish priest who defended Indigenous people and wrote about Spanish cruelty.
Why did Las Casas write about Spanish cruelty?
To convince Spain to stop mistreatment of Indigenous people.
Why do historians debate if a revolution was successful?
Because success depends on perspective — some groups gain rights, while others remain excluded.
What was the main question in debates about Louis XVI during the French Revolution?
Whether to put him on trial or execute him immediately.
How did the Doctrine impact exploration?
It encouraged conquest, colonization, and conversion.
How did conquistadors treat the Indigenous people?
They massacred, enslaved, and forced them into labor.
How did Indigenous people resist conquest?
By fighting back, escaping, or holding onto their culture.
Compare two revolutions we studied (American, French, Arab Spring)
They all challenged authority, had different outcomes for different groups, and inspired global debates about rights.
True or False: All groups gained equal political rights after the American Revolution.
False — women, enslaved Africans, and Native Americans were excluded.
Who benefitted most from the Doctrine of Discovery?
European monarchs and the Catholic Church.
What was one long-term consequence of Spanish colonization?
Collapse of Indigenous populations and rise of African slavery.
Why do we read both primary and secondary sources about conquest?
To compare firsthand accounts with later interpretations.