More handpicked essays just for you.
The causes and course of the french revolution
Influence of the enlightenment
Effects of the french revolution on france and europe
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
Throughout the history of mankind, many wars and revolutions have been fought in order to determine the outcome of disagreements between people. The most impactful revolution in the world was the American Revolution. In this war the newly founded people of America fought against the British for their freedom from high tariff, taxes, and the Catholic Church. This was a strong uprise against an even stronger British Parliament at the time considering the British Empire had colonies all around the world. The American Revolution was not only a hard fought battle over the political struggle of taxes and tariffs, but it also affected America and Britain economically. In America raw products were being produced and given to the europeans in order …show more content…
for them to industrialize the raw products into usable material. Although during the war, this whole process was disturbed. The Americans could not send the raw materials to Britain, their enemy, and vise-versa, could not receive their products. All of these conflicts and struggles led to the creation of many new documents and laws by firstly the American colonies. This would then spark a worldwide revolution in newly founded documents which also led to the new ideas of the world. One of the countries to follow in the American footsteps of the biggest revolution and the ideas were the French. The American Revolution sparked the fire for the French Revolution because of the creation of the Constitution, the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and the Ideas of Enlightenment. The French Revolution started due to the creation of the U.S. Constitution. A major part of this was written in the preamble of the Constitution. The preamble of the Constitution is used to give information on why it was written, and who it was written for. When the Constitution says “We the people of the United States” (“The Constitution”) It refers to every citizen, not just the powerful people in charge. This was helped to inspire the French into having a revolution. What inspired the French was the idea of having a country that would not be run by the king and queen. Instead the country would be run by the people, or people elected to run the nation. This would make the French want to have a bigger say in what is happening in and out of the country. The idea of having a government run by the governed instead of the King inspired the French. Another part of the Constitution that would help in the initiation of the French Revolution is Article I Section IX. This states that the United States will not give nobility or a title to anyone (“The Constitution”). This encourages the French to revolt, because they did not want to have a monarchy anymore. They wanted a different form of government that would represent the ideas of the country not just the nobility. The French were tired of the monarchy taking care of the needs of the noblemen and not the needs of the common folk. This would make the common folk pursue a better government and more power in the decisions it makes. In Article II Section I the Constitution talks about executive power, and how they get elected and the process in which they have to endeavour in become the President of The United States (“The Constitution”). This helped to lead the French into a revolution, because it showed that getting rid of a monarchy was possible. It also proved that transitioning from a single ruler and giant gap between social classes, to a democracy and a middle class is attainable. This would give a great influence to the lower class to revolt against the monarchy so they could have a strong middle class. The Constitution was a major influence and inspiration to the French Revolution. Additionally, The Declaration of Independance was another catalyst for the French Revolution.
The Declaration started the fight for social justice by saying “all men are created equal” (“Declaration”). When the French saw this it encouraged them to fight so they would be treated fairly. France’s working class did not want to pay taxes while the noble class payed none. The workers had enough of the unfair treatment and the Declaration gave them the extra boost needed to get the revolution started. The Declaration also states that if a government becomes too destructive it is the right of the people to get rid of it and replace it (“Declaration”). The significance of this is that the French did not like their ruler or the people that held a majority of power, and wanted to get rid of them. With the Declaration allowing the governed to get rid of a government if it has become to destructive helped sway the French. If the French were already governing the way America had set out they could have gotten rid of the king and had a new government. The Declaration also says that the King of England had refused to approve laws that would help the good of the public is a reason why they succeeded (“Declaration”). This gives the French a good reason on why they should revolt. The King of France did nothing to care for the public's needs. Instead the king would raise taxes and indulge in the perks of being a king. The king abused his power instead of helping the citizens he was in …show more content…
charge of. The declaration was a major influence for the French Revolution. Innovation would not come to human beings without some sort of age of ideas.
In this case the enlightenment is that age. Encouraging the ideas of enlightenment helped originate the French Revolution. One major idea of enlightenment is republicanism. Republicanism is when the highest officials are chosen by an election instead of it being hereditary (“Internet Encyclopedia”). The idea of republicanism was the ideal form of government for the French. They did not want a government system where power was handed down from generation to generation. Instead they wanted a government in which they could chose their own leaders that would help the general public. This was what America had established after they revolted against the British Empire. The French wanted to mimic what the Americans had done and the style of government they had. This way of governing would allow the majority of French citizens to chose the people they want into office. Another really influential idea of Enlightenment is liberalism. The idea of liberalism is “humans have natural rights and that government authority is not absolute” (“Internet Encyclopedia”). This goes with the idea that “all men are created equal” (“Declaration”). The idea of natural rights is what both America and France strived for. They both wanted to establish a government with the understanding of people born with certain rights. The idea of natural rights for the French was an impactful thought that greatly influenced the start of a
revolution. A major idea of Enlightenment is deism. Deism is when instead of religion, rational thinking was used to understand the world (“Internet Encyclopedia”). This was a major idea that would influence the revolution. The idea of deism would help spark the French because it allowed the French to have a freedom of religion or belief. This would let the French have their own belief system or religion. The idea of Deism would heavily influence the French society. Any ideas of humans that propel society into the next generation are wonderful but the propelling of the ideas of enlightenment are of great importance for The French Revolution. With the fighting among humans the results may not always be appealing to the eye but the this case the most influential revolution sparked severe change in the world. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, ideas of enlightenment, and the creation of the Constitution would help inspire the French revolution. There are many “what ifs” that historians ponder each day although one to keep a thought of is, if the United States did not have a successful revolution against Britain what would the world look like today?
The Declaration of Independence refers to “our constitution”, in this respect they were referring to the Ancient British Constitution. The United States was expressing the fundamental aspects of British politics; among these were Classic Republicanism, Enlightenment Liberalism, and Protestant Christianity. In the Declaration they balanced all of these English traditions; expressing what they believed to be the true spirit of the British Constitution. As Edmund Burke would say, “(the Revolution) was carried out not to create new liberties but to preserve old ones” (Wood, p. 58). The main issue that the colonies had with the British following 1763, was England’s belief in the doctrine of
The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war between England and the colonies which were settled earlier by the English. There were many factors and events that led to the American Revolution. The Revolution was mainly an economic rebellion that was fueled by taxation without representation following the French and Indian War. The English Parliament was more often than not considered cruel and unfair by the colonists. With conflicts over trade, taxes and government representation, the colonies were at a starting line of a revolution that would later transform into the basis of the United States of America.
There are many events that have happened in our history that have helped shape our country into what it is today. One of those events that helped change our country was the Decleration of Independance. The Declaration of Independence was written on July 4th, 1776. And this document was written so we were separate from England and so we weren’t under their power anymore. It meant that we were going to become a self-governing country. This was the very first big step we took to become our own country. And if we hadn’t have separated from England we wouldn’t be the country we are today. This helped build our nation and bring us closer together so we were united as one. This is when we realized we could be something bigger than what we were.
The American revolution was a reaction to unfavorable tax policies from the King of England. When the King of England began to infringe on the colonists’ liberties, leaders inspired by the enlightenment grouped together to defend the rights of the American colonies. As Thomas Jefferson writes in the Declaration of Independence, “History of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries ad usurpations,
The American Revolution has great importance on the way the United States views itself. Contrary to popular belief, Americans were not separate people subject to British tyranny. A large portion of American colonialists thought of themselves as British. There are many ideas and causes as to why the American Revolution began. Differing political traditions, both parties economic interest, trading interest of those involved in transatlantic commerce, Britain’s large debt that accumulated during the Seven Years War, mutual misunderstandings, and the Great Awakening are many of the reasons that the colonist began to revolt against England.
The American Revolution began due to problems within the British economy. The most prevalent issue of the time was "taxation without
It was the 4th of July in 1776 when delegates from all thirteen colonies assembled at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Not knowing the full significance of what was about to take place that day,the delegates would do something that would forever change the course of the American people.
Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence for the American colonists to proclaim freedom from Great Britain's oppressor, King George III. American colonists had been suffering for many years when this important document was drafted. King George III had pushed the colonists into a state of tyranny and most decided it was time to start an independent nation under a different type of government. Jefferson focused his piece toward many audiences. He wanted not only King George III and the British Parliament to know the American's feelings, but also the entire world. The time had come for an immense change amongst the American colonists and Jefferson made sure everyone was aware of it by using his superior strategies of persuasion.
The Declaration of Independence includes four parts. The first part is the Preamble, which explains why the Continental Congress drew up the Declaration. They felt their reason should be explained to England.
There are many important factors in the Declaration of Independence, which enable the foundation of a new government. These range from describing grievances with England, to how government should be run differently, to the first statement of separation. The first step to the foundation of a new government is the uniting of a people in a common goal. Since all people were feeling violated by English soldiers, it was necessary to state these grievances in order to make people aware that they are not alone. When people learned that others felt the same as them emotion was stirred. The Declaration of Independence listed the grievances such as, “He has erected a multitude of new offices, and sent hither swarms of officers to harass our people and eat out their substance.” The next important step to the foundation of a new government was to gain peoples ambition by showing how the government would be run if a new party took over. This goal was achieved by stating the rights of man. “We hold these truths to be self evident: That all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” This statement made people hopeful and feel kindly toward this new government. The final step in the preparation for a new government was separation from the old government. This was declared twice in the Declaration of Independence. In the beginning, “That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, driving their just powers from the consent of the governed,” and in the end, “that these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown, and that all political connection between them and the state of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved. In conclusion, the Declaration of Independence was able to motivate people, give them ambition, and made it simple for Americans to take action.
The American Revolution was when the American Colonies rejected British rule and overthrew the authority of Great Britain which help found the United States of America. It was a long road but it was built over time with tension between the 13 colonies and the British rule of King George III. In 1733 the Molasses Act was imposed for six percent of every gallon sold from non-English colonies. This act was to make products cheaper from the British than the French. This act was rarely collected because of smugglers and it was opposed by most colonists. The Sugar Act was to raise revenues or the American revenue act that was passed by the Parliament of Great Britain. It was passed around the time of a depression, so protests began to develop around
Before the Revolution, France experienced a period of time called the Enlightenment. Traditional concepts, such as religion and style of government, were debated upon by scholars, philosopher, and ordinary people. One of the most famous writers of the Enlightenment was philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau. He introduced the concept that the people should be in charge instead of an individual ruler. This idea became known as the general will. In his “Ths Social Contract” Rousseau states, “Each of us puts his person and all his power in common under the supreme direction of the general will, and, in our corporate capacity, we receive each member as an indivisible part of the whole” (Rousseau). Throughout the future French Revolution, Rousseau’s writings became a cornerstone to the French people. His ideas gave the French people a definition on why the position of the King should be abolished. What was even better, Rousseau even described why the people be placed in charge. At the time of the Revolution an enormous amount of France’s power was allocated to the King and very little was left for the people. In order to achieve more power for themselves, the citizens of France lobbied against a monarchy and instead for Rousseau’s philosophy that the collective whole should rule. Under the ideas of Rousseau, all French citizens would receive power because the collective whole was the governing power. However, obtaining such intentions required that the people abuse the traditional powers of France as Furet
Intro: The Declaration of Independence shapes our ideal vision in America by letting every individual have unalienable rights, not having to live under a tyrant, and having equality. These rights are to be protected by one government that is willing to secure these rights for the people. Due to not being responsible towards the people’s happiness, this government will be overthrown and replaced with a new one in which the people will be satisfied with.
The American Revolution began as a conflict over political and social change, but soon developed into a dispute over personal rights and political liberty. A decade of conflicts between the British government and the Americans, starting with the Stamp Act in 1765 that eventually led to war in 1775, along with The Declaration of Independence in 1776. Americans united as one and knew that they wanted to be an independent country, have their own laws, rights, and not be a colony of the Great Britain. They fought hard for their independence and people lost their lives in the process of it, but in the end they succeeded. Never give up, keep fighting till the mission is accomplished, just like the Americans did when they were fighting for their independence.
This Declaration was a groundbreaker in the start of the French Revolution. Many events occurred during the time leading to the formation and issuance of this declaration. During this time of the French Revolution, France was undergoing a recession from the war. There were food shortages and financial crises among the working class along with the nation adding to the revolt of the French people. France was under the rule of the absolute monarchy of the time, King Louis XVI. The National Assembly was formed with the intent to hopefully change the economical system the occurred during the time to stop the occurring crises. The “Declaration of Man and Citizen” and the “United States Declaration of Independence” share many of the basis points including human rights to basic freedoms and liberties as well as the pursuit of a just tax system.