More handpicked essays just for you.
How would you compare and contrast the american and french revolutions
How would you compare and contrast the american and french revolutions
American revolution social and political
Don’t take our word for it - see why 10 million students trust us with their essay needs.
The American Revolution and La Révolution française
Sometimes the same word can have two opposite connotations. Comparing the American and French revolutions shows that they have polar opposite foundational ideas. Examining the issues in this comparison can allow one to gain additional insight into the two opposite revolutions.
The major points of the American Revolution include man is evil, religion, equality in government, John Locke, and the aristocracy against the revolution. The American Revolution was the war from 1775-83 in which the American colonists won independence from British rule. The American revolution had the idea that man is inherently evil by only having their own interest in mind “Self-interest structures their choices... decide with self-interest in mind” (Davis 343). America believed their natural rights were bestowed upon them from the great creator. “... The idea... came in the North American colonies” (Natural). The main point was
…show more content…
that America was fighting for representation in their government body. “... The issue... invited a polemical battle...” (Marshall 438). John Locke and his idea of government by the consent of the governed fueled the revolution . “His political theory … deeply influenced the United States’ founding documents” (History). The aristocracy did not support the American revolution because they sided with Great Britain. “On the other side... landed wealth...” (American). Key points of the French revolution include man is inherently good, the rights are given by man alone, overthrow the established government, Rousseau, and that the classes were divided and fighting each other.
The 1789 French revolution overthrew the Bourbons. Rousseau’s belief that man is “good by nature” and that evil cannot be found in him was an underlying point in the French revolution (Delaney). They also believed their rights are bestowed by man alone. “...The French declaration makes no mention of God as the source...” (Declaration). They were fighting the established hierarchy in the revolution. “The French people overthrew their ancient government in 1789” (The Editors). Rousseau’s ideas that society is what broke the people is also the foundation to the revolution. “Rousseau argues that the progression… has caused the corruption...” (Delaney). The classes were divided because the top estates deliberately left out the third. “This exclusion contributed to rising revolutionary sentiment...” (The
Third). The French and American revolutions can be compared based on their ideas of man, where their rights come from, what they are fighting for, whose thoughts did they base their revolutions on, and the class involvement. The American revolution believed man was bad, and the French revolution believed man was bad. The Americans believed their rights were given by God, and the French believed their rights were given by man. The Americans started the revolution to first become its own entity while the French wanted to overthrow their established government. Locke believed that man must only be governed by the will of the people, and Rousseau believed that man was corrupted by formal society. In the American revolution the lower and middle class supported the revolution while the upper class supported the king, and in the French revolution the lower and third estate were fighting against the upper class directly. Comparing the American and French revolutions shows that they are polar opposites. Examining the American and French revolutions can enable one to gain additional insights into the two completely opposite revolutions. The American revolution was based that man is inherently broken and no law or government will fix that. The French revolution used police power of a government to force people in a non existent utopia. The American and French revolutions are polar opposites. The examination of these two revolutions in this paper can allow the reader to gain additional insight into the two different revolutions.
...on, Enlightenment ideas permeated the politics, economics, and religion of the French Revolution and the American Revolution. While both show several similarities, they predominantly differ on most things. Politically, American conservatives respected the individual and property rights of a citizen, while French politics respected the individual rights, took property rights in some cases, and used terror to influence people. Economically, the American free market idea left the economy alone, while the French input socialist ideas such as price ceilings. Religiously, the America closely associated itself with religion in the revolution, while the French public mostly despised the church.
Clearly there never was just one French Revolution, but rather a series of revolutions. These occurred while the French struggled to create a new political and social system – one that would follow principles radically different to that of the ‘ancient’ regime. There were five regimes during the French Revolution between 1787 and 1800. However, despite this fragmented revolution, the same fundamental principles guided most of the revolutionaries involved. These principles included equality under law, centralisation of government, elimination of feudal rights, religious freedom and careers open to talent, not birth.
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 American Revolution is without a question one of the, if not the most, important period in the beginning of American history. Between 1765 and 1783, the colonists rejected the British monarchy and aristocracy after a series of taxes and tariffs were forced upon them, finally the colonists then ultimately overthrew their authority and founded the United States of America. Many historians and authors have debated over the exact reason and overall effects of the War for Independence, however, all agree of the significance and importance of this event. The colonies, which were created as a resource for raw materials and a means for generating profits for Parliament and the Crown, began to desire managing their own affairs and worked towards
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.
The American Revolution, also known as the War for Independence began from 1785-1783. The primary cause for the war was because of a conflict between the 13 British colonies and England. The American Revolution resulted in a victory for the 13 British colonies who would declare themselves as the United States of America. However, there are many questions on whether or not the American Revolution was really revolutionary and if there were revolutionary changes being made to society. The American Revolution was not revolutionary because separation between African-Americans and Whites still existed, no change in women's representation or their voices being valued as high as men, and the Indians were promised the “Utmost Good Faith” but the result
The American Revolution was a war in which the colonists achieved political independence from their former rulers Great Britain. It was "the formulation of new principles of the relation of men to government, and of the relation of colonies to mother country. It was the inauguration of effective self-government and of social and economic equality."1 The colonists, in effect, achieved full autonomy from Great Britain through the American Revolution. The colonists felt (for the betterment of all Americans) that it was their duty and responsibility to rise up against their oppressors to form their own government. John Adams even states, "[that] the real American Revolution was a radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people. Above all, [the Revolution] was in the minds and hearts of the peopl...
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 is the most important event in the New World history. It was the process where the thirteen colonies of North America became independent of Great Britain and then formed a new unified government. The Americans fought against the British for a number of reasons, but the most important reason was economic in nature. The American Revolution was fought for different ideas that were important in those times. The economy in America was not the best, and people had to support all the orders from Great Britain because this was their home country. Therefore, the British controlled the economy of North America. Many Americans thought that the British were making injustices with the American economy and this was the main reason for the revolution.
Finally, the biggest contrast between the American and French Revolution was the difference in the outcomes of the two. The American Revolution brought liberty and justice for all. It created the first Republic since Rome. The French rev...
A revolution is a forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system. In 1775, America was ready for dramatic change, freedom, and a disconnection from Great Britain. Taxes, trade regulations, and overarching, power, made all colonists, aside from the loyalists, more than ready to detach from Great Britain’s rule. The American Revolution portrays many similarities and qualities of the French revolution, due to the inspiration of one to another. The similarities and qualities lie within their spiraling economies, selfish, money-worship-thirsty leaders, ideologies, and provocation.
The essential cause of the French revolution was the collision between a powerful, rising bourgeoisie and an entrenched aristocracy defending its privileges”. This statement is very accurate, to some extent. Although the collision between the two groups was probably the main cause of the revolution, there were two other things that also contributed to the insanity during the French revolution – the debt that France was in as well as the famine. Therefore, it was the juxtaposing of the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy as well as the debt and famine France was in that influenced the French Revolution.
Throughout history, countless uprisings have occurred. Historians classify any forcible overthrow of a government or social order in favor of a new system as a revolution. The success or failure of a revolution is directly related to the revolution’s causes and courses. The French Revolution was more successful than the Nicaraguan Revolution, because the Nicaraguan Revolution left the country in social and financial ruin, foreign powers had much greater interference, and it precipitated a period of political unrest with multiple leadership changes.
The American Revolution was so much more than just a war, or a time in history. It was a time where America grew, and as the name suggests, revolutionized their way of thinking and governing. It was a time for some great thinkers to get their ideas out there, and these ideas helped shape America into what it is today. These revolutionary thinkers shared their ideas publicly, and that gave the people ways to revolutionize their thoughts as well. They flipped what they knew about government upside down.
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.