The American and French Revolutions share many similarities, but both events have distinct differences. These revolutions were outgrowths of the Seven Years` War. These revolutions made major reforms with in the governments of both countries. Numerous people in both revolutions were influenced the ideas and principles of various Enlightenment writers. Although there are similarities between these events, the American Revolution focused primarily on independence while The French Revolution focused on significant reform of an unfair and unequal government.
The origins of both the American and French Revolutions can be traced back to The Seven Years’ War, a war between the powerful nations of France and Great Britain (Von Sivers 626). Between 1755- 1764, both countries “fought for the dominance of their respective seaborne empires in the world” (Von
This change transferred the power from the nobles and clergy to the rest of the French people. The National Assembly proclaimed the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen (“The French Revolution”). During the second phase of the revolution, the National Assembly also suspended the French monarchy, formed a republic, and created free elections and a republic constitution (Von Sivers 632) . These actions are major reforms for a country that had previously had an absolute monarch. An important difference between the French and American revolutions is that The U.S. formed and gained a more representative democratic government, but France had their republic government overthrown. By the end of the revolution in 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the Directory, the national government of France at the time, and later crowned himself the emperor of France (Von Sivers
While the French and the American revolutions share some similarities, they differ in most areas involving the revolution. Enlightenment ideas would help shape politics, economics, and religion in the revolutionary nations. Although both found the importance of individual rights, they took different paths in establishing and operating their respective governments. The economic standpoints of the French would be in contrary with the American economics which roughly associate with enlightenment thinkers such as Adam Smith. Religion would closely be associated with principles in the United States while the French sought to secularize their nation.
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. Hunt, Lynn & Censer, Jack. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press (2001)
For starters, both revolutions were inspired by others. The French revolution was empowered by the American. News spread throughout the rest of the world that England’s American colony had overthrown their British government with a war. A period called "The Enlightenment" sparked the American Revolution. During this time, philosophers and lawmakers focused on basic human rights and creating a balanced government. Ideas from the Declaration of Independence which came from these philosophers, inspired the people of France to develop a sense of natural rights in French government. Since their current government gave the people very little natural rights, they rebelled.
Analyzing the post-revolutionary governments of America and France will prove that the French Revolution was far more revolutionary than the American Revolution, due to the radical change that took place, the type of government implemented after, as well as the Napoleonic Code brought forth by Napoleon Bonaparte.
The American and the French revolutions had many similarities and differences. One similarity being is that they both wanted to escape the rule of their King. Second, they both started by an uprising of people against unfair taxation by the monarchy. The French peasants were not represented by the Parliament. It was mainly composed of middle and upper class people. Now, the American colonists were not represented in England because of their lack of presence. Both wanted to set up a Republic, which provided liberty and justice to all classes of citizens. Just like France, the American colonists were composed up mainly middle and lower class citizens. The American Revolution started out by not wanting bloodshed and violence. France started out with violence and bloodshed. (American Revolution)
Another aspect to keep in mind when comparing the French and American revolutions is provocation. Provocation includes such things as land war, class war, tyranny, and grievances. The American Revolution had many altercations with social classes and land. One reason the revolution began was because the British created the Proclamation of 1763, which stated that Americans couldn't move east of the Appalachian Mountains. Land was abundant in America, but the British were tired of battles amongst themselves and the Native Americans.
The American and French Revolutions took place between 1775 and 1789. Though they were closely related chronologically, the two revolutions were interrelated in several other important ways than just time itself.
This period of radical change and political and social upheaval saw France remove a lot of monarchist and Catholic frameworks, through practices of secularisation and democratisation. During the initial revolutionary years, radical laws such as the establishment of the national assembly, and the abolishment of the Church's land ownership, helped push France towards the revolutionary ideas of national and secular republicanism. The revolution also looked to radically readdress the role of the French individual, from subjects of the king to citizens of a nation, in an attempt to establish a new national individualised identity. This in many ways was France’s rejection of orthodox ideas of the Ancien Regime, and expression of a new identity. This spirit of revolution continued throughout modern French history.
However, only the American Revolution was successful in establishing a new government. This is because the outcome of these revolutions ultimately depended on their leaders for success. Klooster writes, “Various officers in the Continental army openly declared themselves for Washington assuming royal powers, believing that the republican experiment would fail” (166). However, Washington turned this authority down believing in the government they had created. On the other hand, Napoleon made himself the undisputed leader of France as he rose to power. American revolutionary ideals and practices gave France the platform for a successful revolution, but ultimately the respective leaders of the revolutions determined their
On August 26, 1789, the assembly issued the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.” Through judicial matters, this document was written in order to secure due process and to create self-government among the French citizens. This document offered to the world and especially to the French citizens a summary of the morals and values of the Revolution, while in turn justifying the destruction of a government; especially in this case the French government, based upon autocracy of the ruler and advantage. The formation of a new government based upon the indisputable rights of the individuals of France through liberty and political uniformity.
One of the early differences in the revolutions is the way each began. At the beginning of the French Revolution, the government was about to collapse. While at the beginning the American Revolution, the colonist felt oppressed but had a stable governing body. The French Revolution was caused by problems that can be categorized into three categories: political and social imbalance, government bankruptcy, and Enlightenment thinking. The American Revolution was caused by impeding political laws and taxation on the British colonies by England.
Both the French and Haitian revolution were inspired by the American revolution. They use the ideas from the enlightenment against the power of the democracy. To continue both revolutions had an unfair social class systems. There was little to no rights during this time period. This is because of this large gap between high and low class. The lowest class in both revolutions was the majority in both populations. The main causes of the
middle of paper ... ... Soon after, the National Assembly created a liberal parliamentary system and rebelled against Monarch rule by passing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. The National Assembly made governmental reforms forcing a Constitutional Monarchy in France. The Constitutional Monarchy was represented by electorates.
The French Revolution, which occurred from 1789 to 1799, was a time where the monarchy was overthrown, a republic was formed, and limits were put on the church. The French Revolution ended with the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799. The French Revolution created France’s legislative assembly, which is still in place today. Many would argue that the Enlightment was a cause of the French Revolution, but the Enlightment was not one of the main drivers for the Revolution. The bad living conditions, France’s monarchy, and the involvement in the American Revolution and other wars caused the French Revolution.