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Difficulty: MediumAtlantic Revolutions and Ideological Declarations

Source: José María Morelos, Mexican revolutionary leader, *Sentimientos de la Nación* (Sentiments of the Nation), 1813

"Sovereignty resides originally in the people, and its exercise in the national representation... The laws should apply to all, without exception of privileged classes. As a good law is superior to every man, those which our Congress dictates should be such that they oblige fidelity and patriotism, moderate luxury and impoverishment, and improve the lot and the education of the poor... Let there be no other nobility than that of virtue, nor other distinction than that of merit."

Based on the excerpt, in which of the following ways did Morelos's goals for a newly independent Mexico differ most significantly from the primary goals of the American Revolution?

  1. A
    By seeking to break political allegiance to a European monarchy.
  2. B
    By establishing a government based on the consent of the governed.
  3. By actively seeking to address wealth inequality and eliminate class privileges.Answer
  4. D
    By invoking Enlightenment ideas of liberty and individual rights.

Answer

The Mexican revolutionary goals under Morelos differed from the American Revolution by actively seeking to address wealth inequality and eliminate class privileges.
The correct answer is correct because Morelos explicitly highlights the need to address economic disparities ('moderate luxury and impoverishment') and social hierarchy ('no other nobility than that of virtue'). This stands in contrast to the American Revolution, which was politically transformative but socially conservative, leaving existing wealth distribution and class structures largely unchanged.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source document to identify Morelos's specific goals.
Morelos seeks to 'moderate luxury and impoverishment,' 'improve the lot and the education of the poor,' and eliminate 'privileged classes.'
This establishes the core ideological aims of the Mexican movement under Morelos.
2
Recall the primary goals and social outcomes of the American Revolution.
The American Revolution was primarily a political separation from Great Britain led by wealthy elites, which did not attempt to redistribute wealth or restructure the existing social class system.
This provides the comparative basis to evaluate the differences between the two revolutions.
3
Compare the two sets of goals to find the primary difference.
Morelos's Mexican movement envisioned substantial social and economic reforms, whereas the American Revolution focused primarily on political sovereignty.
This identifies the correct distinction required by the question.

Key Concept

Comparison of Atlantic Revolutionary Goals
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Topics

Atlantic Revolutions and Ideological Declarations

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