Jimena Montemayor
October 26 2014
Socials P2
Comparing French and American Revolution
The French and American Revolution were both historical events that highlighted the idea of equality and natural rights of citizens; in a time where monarchs ruled without considering the subjects and ideas of people.
Comparing the American and French Revolution, people thought that they needed to be free from absolute monarchs and have the ability to live in their own way. Being independent was a big need for them. Both countries experienced equality in their own way especially during the time of the revolution. Leadership was also shown especially when taxation was taken into place. Even though both revolutions had economic and even social problems they
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looked at things in another perspective so they could work through their problems. It all started with the French revolution during from 1789 to 1799, marking the very powerful monarchies, big churches and the rise of democracy, money and nationalism.
A list of life changing events happen in this time, for example the old rules, taxes, courts and privileges were taken away from many people. They struggled with liberal assemblies and right-wing helpers of the monarchy they had a better reform. The French revolution is divided into different stages in witch all have very important things happening. Starting with the first state, General Estates of 1789. Having a equal number of representatives from each estate was the best solution we thought to clear the problem. They met in The Palace of Versailles to debate some problems. Opened by the King, The Estates General meeting was a great chance for the not as healthy people (third estate) to finally be heard by the King.That meeting was a very big sucess to be a better place. However, The third estate discovered that the double representation was in fact a sham. They ended up deciding by everybody voting, but sadly the first and second estate ended up winning since it was a for each state. The second state was a huge problem, it all started when King Louis looked the members of the natural assembly out of their meeting place. It was a was a pivotal event during the first days of the French Revolution. They needed to find a new place where they could have their natural assembly. The Oath was a pledge, signed by …show more content…
576 of the 577 members from the Third Estate they were locked out of a meeting of the Estates-General on 20 June 1789 which lead to big conflict. Stage #3 Storming of the Bastille, the Storming of the Bastille happened in Paris France on July 14 of 1789. The medieval fortress and prison in Paris known as the Bastille represented royal authority a very important place, the center of Paris. They wanted to use military force to cancel the natural assembly started getting weapons to defend the city. They wanted to find ways to defend themselves of the angry attackers hacked the prison commander and several guards to death. After they came up with a solution of all of this it became a French holiday, something that they wanted and needed to celebrate. Stage 4 is based on March of Versailles, The morning of October 5, 1789; lots of French women came together in the central marketplace of Paris. It was a very significant events of The French Revolution. The march began in the marketplaces of Paris October 5th 1789. Because of bad harvests in 1788 and 1789, supplies of grain were short, the price of bread rose dramatically in 1789. The Reign of Terror, was a tragic time of violence that happend after the onset of the French Revolution. It was a time of violence happened after the French Revolution.The final stage which was one of the most important events in the French Revolution. Napoleon I is one of the most famous military and political leaders of History. He declared himself emperor of France. He wanted peace with the people and wanted the people to follow him. Napoleon took his people to the war without protection or backup plans, he won the war in Spain and Portugal. Congress of Vienna, balance power major countries of Europe all had similar powers. Even though the French Revolution can stand out in its extreme decisions and harsh government, the American Revolutions was also strong and powerful in the beginning of its war.
The American Revolution also took a very big part in world history. In the first stage of the American Revolution, colonial lawyers protested about the Stamp Act, which led conflict with the leaders. People were very angry because the government had increasing taxes. That is when taxation without representation started taking into account and the people wanted to go out of the government and start to become more unique. But in the other hand The French Revolution, the estates general first meeting was at Versailles. Third Estate voted to establish the National Assembly and since they only took one vote from Estate one and two ended up wining all the time, this then lead to the end of absolute monarchy. Adding to my point, this two revolutions compare in this stage because the government did not take into consideration the needs and opinion that the people had. Both of this revolutions revolutions were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment it spread ideas for the revolution. Another point is, the Colonists engaged in protests, specially talking about the Boston Tea Party which was a very important event that occurred while the Americans were having their revolution. Meanwhile, in the French Revolution, the goverment did a search for gunpowder and arms stormed Bastille it is a prison in Paris.
The Third Estate started to take down the Bastille. This was a clue of what things were going to be for France in the future. Also, while the king was going one day to the Versailles, Bread Riots were exclaiming to give them bread. A similarity in the in both revolutions in this stage is that both of them wanted a period of chaos followed the actual revolution. This proves, that both revolutions the monarch starts noticing they did not have as much power that they had before; they needed to come up with a solution to regain their power. In the other stage of the American Revolution, British Parliament cancels the Stamp Act; They started tofisht the british colonisbecause they want justices in the things that they want and think that they disserve. On the other side, the French revolution, woman march on the Versailles where women were they have been protesting and rioting because of overpriced bread, they wanted to be in a government that understand them in their opinion protesting would make the people notice the things that needed to be done to have a equality in their government. Talking about similarities, both revolutions pursued similar ideals : “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” People started to protests against the government and their dramatic effects, the old government wanted to do some changed, and legitimacy in the old government was lost and people wanted more dramatic changes. Over that time, the American Revolution shut down county courts in the year 1786 because people did not agree with load taxes. They decided that they wanted to start taking into action and wanted to go to war to get the things that they disserved. Unlike the French revolution, King Louis XVI caught trying to escape, also the French Constitution was passed by French National Assembly, France's King Louis XVI accepts constitution. Both of this revolutions emphasized individual rights. Adding to my point, because the American Revolution won the war vs. the British and colonized them. No dramatic event occurred in this point, they were happy that they would start by themselves the way that they wanted to witch was very unique and their own way. The French revolution where beheading the king and all the people they wanted to. Robespierre was one of the main problems of this because he killed many people without consideration. Guillotine, the weapon used to kill many people in those times. People did not know how to take action until they considered and made the change of beheading Robespierre. In the similarities of this stage, both documents emphasized the idea that governments must protect the rights of the people and give them a chance to have their freedom of speech. Finally in the last stage of the French revolution, Napoleon started to rise to power, he declared himself kind and took the French to war. He took over as a dictator and begins moving forward. The Americans where happy with their new independent life. The last similarity in this both revolutions would be, major bloodshed in both countries before the revolution would succeed. Both of these Revolutions had lot of problems and suffered a lot to get to the place that they wanted to have, they might not be fair, or might not though out their plans with care but they ended up in a good place where they disserved to be. A free society dominated by the property-owning middle class.
...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.
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.
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.
The American and French revolutions compare and contrast in many ways. The ideas of starting wars and liberating the people lead to new governments and success in economy. The ideas of the Enlightenment philosophers interested the people of America and France to upgrade their lifestyles. Every aspect of life from religion to capitalist economy led to the sparks of these revolutions and the differences of the two made them so significant.
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)
After the fall of Puritan rule in Massachusetts, Great Britain regained control over Massachusetts and expanded throughout North America, making it one of the greatest empires in the world. In order to maintain their power in the colonies they enacted rules and regulations regarding traded goods. However, most colonists resorted to smuggling and boycotting items. It was not until the French and Indian War did England begin to strictly enforce these restrictions due to a large war debt. The Sugar Act was one the first acts that had started a domino effect which led to the 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.
The American Revolution made people realize they wanted freedom. Also because the French king supported the American Revolution which made them go bankrupt and to gain money back. Also the citizens became frustrated.
For one the monarchy was making decisions not in the favour of its people and inevitably leading French to its death. The wealthy didn’t have to pay taxes that were unfair and bringing down the middle class. 97% of French were middle class and were struggling to survive. In Europe the quality of life was determined on the status you held, and to get an upper class status you had to born into it. You couldn’t earn a higher status no matter how hard you tried. France was in debt at this time because of losing the wealth in the Seven years’ war this is the same circumstances as the American Revolution. In 1788 the French government went bankrupt. The lower class were getting annoyed with the upper class wasting money while the poor go hungry and are offcourse poor. The peasant was also hungry because all the harvest was wiped out by bad weather and all that was left was expensive food and very little of it. The French Revolution in a way was similar to the American Revolution because its was an argument that went out of control resulting in these historical events and there government going bankrupt.
Throughout history there have been many important revolutions that have help to shape society as it is today. There are different causes, from political to religious, economic to social. Any revolution affects those in society, and creates changes for the people in the society. There are three important revolutions that took place in the late 18th century that changed the world for the better. The French Revolution, the American Revolution, and the Industrial Revolution all took place in the late 1700s. Although each had a different purpose, they all lead to a better way of life for many. The French and American Revolutions are examples of some which are brought about and enforced solely by the people. Although they had different reasons behind them, both had the same idea behind them- social change. The Industrial Revolution was different, it was a technological revolution which had positive social outcomes. While one can easily compare the French and American Revolutions because of their social causes and outcomes, the Industrial Revolution can only be compared to the other two when examining their outcomes.
The French Revolution abolished absolute monarchy, feudal privileges, and serfdom, removed the estates, and established equal liability to taxation. The revolution also began reforms in the fields of education and law. How can anyone say that the revolution proved detrimental to France? The other intangible results of the revolution were embodied in its ideals, "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity," which became the platform of liberal, democratic reforms in France and Europe in the 19th century. The American Revolution ended two centuries of British rule for the 13 colonies and created the modern United States of America.
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.
...s on who should have power. Rebellions broke out across France and turned the nation against itself. The major revolutionary revolt was The Storming of Bastille. The third estate demanded for a republic. King Louis was killed, along with his wife Marie Antoinette to pursue the ideas of changing society. Maximilien Robespierre ordered their deaths by the violent and horrific machine, the guillotine. He was also killed shortly after, but provided the Jacobins a leader in his efforts to overthrow the monarchy. Napoleon was the last to save the revolution as it came to a close. The French Revolution has changed history and the lives of everyone in France up to today. Many people sacrificed themselves to change the country for others today. This revolution was life changing and inspired many others around the world to stand up for their beliefs and fight for a democracy.