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Similarities America and the French Revolution
Similarities in the french and american revolution
Similarities between the american revolution and french revolution
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The revolutions that swept the world from 1765 to 1815 was an era marked by both relatively peaceful enlightenment based overthrows of repressive governments, and extremely bloody uprisings based on violence and the repression of its own citizens. The United States revolution lasting from 1775 to 1783 and the French revolution lasting from 1789 to 1799 fit these descriptions perfectly; and although they both fall under the same time period, these revolutions could not differ more. When compared to each other, the ideas that the American and French revolutions were founded on were similar, but the outcomes and the ways in which each revolution were executed were vastly different. The revolutions of the eighteenth century revealed a change …show more content…
Unsurprisingly enough, the same problem that existed within Britain over the French and Indian war were now appearing in France: how were they going to pay for the wars. France’s answer to this problem was the implementation of a heavily flawed system of borrowing and taxation, with borrowing being the majority of the income (Klooster 45-46). Over the next five years, the economic policies of Jacques Necker pushed France’s economy into a state of disrepair, ruining any chance of France recovering their economy. This king came down to two options: default on their loans and declare bankruptcy, continuing the trend of this action, or calling the estates general, France’s closest institution to a parliament. He chose the latter, but this did little to resolve the animosity that was brewing due to the horrible financial state of the country. Anger over hunger, unemployment, and terrible economic conditions finally caused protest to become revolution. In 1789, an armed crowed stormed and captured the bastille, a prison meant to hold political prisoners. The storming of the bastille was much more than just an attack on a prison; it was an attack on a symbol of the oppressiveness and brutality of the French monarchy. Soon after the …show more content…
Interestingly enough, some people consider the idea of referring to the American Revolution as a revolution as a misnomer. Friedrich Gentz, a German conservative who was staunchly against revolutions or any use of political violence to achieve a social change, certainly agreed, writing “…the American Revolution was a legitimate revolution, since it was not really a revolution. Its goal was to establish a constitutional regime… [and it] did not unleash large-scale violence” (Gentz). And in most parts this was true. But what really made the American Revolution revolutionary was that it replaced the government that it overcame with one run not by a king, but by the people. If you only look at the outcome, it’s almost as if a revolution never happened. They went from having a king, nobility, and an established religion, to having a king, nobility and established religion
In regards to the numerous successful Revolutions that have occurred, they all share in common a broad general pattern, causes and characteristics. The American Revolution to a certain extent aligned with this broad pattern and had some identical causes and characteristics. In regards to the preliminary and advanced symptoms of revolutions, the American Revolution exhibited characteristics of discontent and the creation of mobs that was in response to taxes imposed upon them by the British government. The steps that followed, although displaying characteristics and causes that identify with revolutions, digresses from the general pattern. The Declaration of Independence, Battle of Saratoga and Siege of Yorktown though somewhat associating themselves with their respective steps within the broad pattern, for best part does not fit in with the overall pathology.
In his book, The Anatomy of Revolution, Crane Brinton describes four historically significant revolutions in modern states, the English Revolution of the 1640s, the American Revolution of 1776, the French Revolution of 1789, and the Russian Revolution of 1917, and compares uniform trends and commonalities within those revolutions. Brinton hypothesizes that those revolutions have specific similarities in their inception, manifestation, conduct, and conclusion.
To begin, the French Revolution involved radical change in a radical manner, both traits which the American Revolution lacked. A revolution is defined as a radical and pervasive change in society and the social structure, usually occurring with violence. The American Revolution does not appear to resemble the revolutions of other nations, in which people were killed and property was destroyed. They revolted relatively peacefully and did not kill each other or devour themselves. (Wood, 3) The French Revolution had a period of time in which all people who were considered ‘enemies of the state’ were arbitrarily arrested and at least 17,000 were officially executed. (“The French Revolution,” 20) The American Revolution had no mass executions; there was a minimal amount of deat...
Beginning in mid-1789, and lasting until late-1799, the French Revolution vastly changed the nation of France throughout its ten years. From the storming of the Bastille, the ousting of the royal family, the Reign of Terror, and all the way to the Napoleonic period, France changed vastly during this time. But, for the better part of the last 200 years, the effects that the French Revolution had on the nation, have been vigorously debated by historian and other experts. Aspects of debate have focused around how much change the revolution really caused, and the type of change, as well as whether the changes that it brought about should be looked at as positive or negative. Furthermore, many debate whether the Revolutions excesses and shortcomings can be justified by the gains that the revolution brought throughout the country. Over time, historians’ views on these questions have changed continually, leading many to question the different interpretations and theories behind the Revolutions effectiveness at shaping France and the rest of the world.
Many revolutions have taken place throughout history, ranging from the unremarkable to the truly memorable, such as the French Revolution, the Bolshevik Revolution and the American Revolution. Through an examination of the social, cultural, economic and political causes of the American Revolution, an exploration of key arguments both for and against the American Revolution, and an analysis of the social, cultural, economic and political changes brought about by the American Revolution it can be demonstrated unequivocally that the American Revolution was indeed truly revolutionary.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Woman (Olympe de Gouges)- amen heres the women ok so France had an issue with women (why?) so a feminist wrote this declaration to promote feminism but was shot down and kill by the guillotine in 1793.
More than thirty years wars, destruction of the rural fields by the troops and compulsory conscription, created high anti-military attitudes among the peasantry. For instance, Davila pointed out that the brigandage was the reason for the Gautiers’ uprisings, or Moreau had the same idea about the uprising of the hamlets of Cornouaille. The Bonnet Rouges also took up the arms when their fields destroyed by the increase of the military depredations. The military duty was still a seigneurial duty, hence, the military activities of the seigniors besides their fiscal demands caused significant anti-nobility tendency among the peasantry. According to Thou, the Gautiers had the anti-nobility element and nobles of Normandy, saw them as their main enemies
When asked if an event was successful or not, one must take into account every aspect of the event. “Success” is a very subjective and imprecise word. In history, when one power or group feels that they have succeeded in their goal, the opposing group will most likely feel that they have failed. During the French Revolution (1789-1799), there were many successes and failures that took place in the stages of the revolution that led to an eventual failure for the middle-class bourgeoisie and a moderate success in its attempt to achieve its goals for the poor lower class.
The Paris Commune and the representatives on mission were not the only ones insistent on creating a more secular and non-Christian society, as the National Convention itself participated in the dechristianization movement as many of its members sided with Chaumette and Fouché during the latter months of 1793. Charles Gilbert Romme, one of the Revolutionaries frequently labeled an atheist by books and websites dedicated to naming influential atheists in history, participated in the Committee of Public Instruction—the agency instrumental to spreading knowledge on how the citizens should react to new laws implemented by the National Convention. He trained as a mathematician and medical doctor, and then travelled to Russia to serve as the tutor
Before the French Revolution, France was going downhill with a poor economic state and a corrupt society. The third estate revolted against their government emerging the revolution. They created a motto of liberty, equality, and fraternity which they vigorously attempted to achieve. They emerged the National Assembly, protested against the king and queen, and eventually ended up doing the opposite of their motto. While trying to take two steps forward, they would end up taking a step backwards. Unfortunately, the revolutionaries never really accomplished their goals to a full extent. They might’ve have destroyed the estates to provide equality, gotten rid the Ancient Regime in the name of liberty, and attempted to have everyone in one agreement
During the French Revolution, France initial plan was to become a better constitution. Louis XVI wanted to reform France, so he made all the three estates prepare cahiers. Some reforms people wanted were fairer taxes, freedom of the press, and regular meetings of the Estates-General. Cahiers allowed Louis XVI to know the problems that the people wanted to fix. With more knowledge of what the public wanted, there would be a bigger chance that they could be fixed. The Tennis Court Oath showed that the Third Estate wanted the chance to have a say in the government and how taxes should be lowered on ordinary items. As time passed the government did many things, like The Constitution of 1791 which set up a limited monarchy. After some time, France goes through a radical phase and violence breaks out and many people were killed.
The French Revolution was a period of political upheaval that occurred in France during the latter half of the 18th century. This revolution marked an end to the system of feudalism and the monarchy in France and a rise to democracy and new Enlightenment ideas. By 1789, when the revolution began, France was in a deep financial crisis due to the debt they had obtained over many years of reckless spending and France was nearly bankrupt. These financial issues fell almost completely on the bottom social class or the Third Estate which made up a majority of the country. Because of this financial trouble the common people were heavily taxed leaving many of them in poverty. In addition to the economic issues, France also held an Estate System that led to heavy
The American Revolution and French Revolution were two long lasting uprisings that had great value to those battling for their rights and want they wanted to change. Yet there are a few distinctions details set them apart in a small way. The Americans wanted a change in their government, but the French wanted a huge change in everything including their government, religion, social structure (whereas American’s social system stayed the same) and economy. Other than the few differences they had, they two Revolutions were much alike, basically twin revolutions.
The French revolution an event that occurred in modern Europe where thousands of innocent people lost their life, the revolution began in 1789 and ended in 1799 in which the famous military leader and emperor Napoleon Bonaparte ascended and conquered the majority of Europe. A revolution is a “violent and historically necessary transition from one system of production in a society to the next, as from feudalism to capitalism” (Revolution). The French revolution was battle to gain higher positions in social classes. A revolution that allowed everyone to be equal in rights and opportunities, no matter of social status. The middle social class believed that in order to gain a higher rank in social rating system, they had to abolish rules and laws
Revolution is briefly described as an attempt to overthrow a government to start a new one. The American Revolution took place between 1775 and 1783 and was a fight for American Independence from England. In 1764, the first of many “Intolerable Acts” were passed. The British Parliament began to excise tax on the American colonies without representation, sparking the great conflict. The British were continuing to incorporate new ways to make more money. England was the most powerful country at the time with an intimidating military, so this wasn’t a hard task to complete. The American Revolution was very Revolutionary because, it jump started the abolition of slavery, it brought about many political and social advances, and served as a stepping stone towards a democracy and a strong centralized government.