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Compare french and american revolutions
American, French, and Russian revolutions
Comparing the american and french revolutions
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The French Revolution compares to the Haitian and American Revolutions by having similar phases throughout. All seemingly influenced by Enlightenment ideas, went on a different route to completion. Each revolution achieved a varied degree of their goals they sought out with in the establishment of their revolution. The length of these revolutions also varied. These revolutions all had people who stood behind them or against them.
According to Crane Brinton, the French, Russian, British, and American Revolutions all went through similar stages (Cox 398). The first stage was citizens become dissatisfied with government. The second stage was Moderates gain more power. The fourth stage was there is a calm and acceptance, which he called the “Thermidorean
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Reaction”. There being four stages total, but only three in common between the French and the American Revolutions. However, this only includes the American and French Revolutions, the Haitian Revolution did technically follow a similar pattern. The Haitian Revolution followed the first stage, the slaves and free blacks became dissatisfied with the government. The second stage did happen when the slave revolts became put to rest. The calm and acceptance stage is alloted to be the independence of Haiti and the French being pulled out of affairs in the western hemisphere. Behind each revolution, was an Enlightenment idea.
The American Revolution adopted ideas from thinkers, like John Locke and his idea of unalienable rights, Montesquieu and his idea of separation of powers (Cox 399). These ideas were adapted into the American documents the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution. In France, they were built on ideas of liberté, égalité, et fraternité. Though France underwent many constitution and government changes in their revolution. Ideas from John Locke were also adapted into the philosphes in France (Bristow). Although the Haitian Revolution was not directly modeled after any one specific thinker, like the other two revolutions, there is some hints to Locke’s idea of the right to overthrow an unfair government. Generally, all three revolutions have some sort of Locke idea put in place in them but the revolutions are all structured differently using this Locke …show more content…
idea. Political goals of the revolutions were met in some way or another.
For example, in the American Revolution, the goal of the Declaration of Independence was to explain why the colonies wanted out of the harsh rule from the British crown. They achieved this goal and, ultimately, established the United States of America. In the French Revolution, the Reign of Terror took place in France over a span of less than a year. The goal of this was to protect the land from foreign invaders and rid the country of enemies of the Republic. However crazy this goal may have been, it was somewhat achieved. They purged the people that they deemed enemies—more who Robespierre deemed enemies, but he did lead the Reign of Terror. This ended up in shambles compared to the American Revolution’s goal of the Declaration of Independence. In the Haitian Revolution, the Slave Rebellion of 1791 had a goal of the slaves being represented or noticed as more than just bottom level workers who have no say in anything. Overall, the slaves did end up getting set free when Haiti declared independence and declared being an actual country. The Haitian Revolution did achieve their goal. This is unlike the French but like the
Americans. The revolutions have starting and ending points and last for a variety of times. The Haitian Revolution was a long series of conflicts from 1791 to 1804 that involved the island of Saint Domingue, France, and other European countries that fought for or against either France or Saint Domingue (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). The American Revolution was an insurrection against the unfair British government treatment from 1775 to 1783 (Wallace). Both of these revolutions could be classified as thrown for the same reason, to be rid of an unfair government and claim independence as a country. The French Revolution lasted from 1787 to 1789 that shook France and drove the country crazy (The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica). With comparing the French Revolution to the American and Haitian Revolutions, there is an obvious difference in the governments from beginning to end. The American Revolution achieved independence and went from being under the British crown monarchy to being a representative democracy. The Haitian Revolution achieved independence and went from being apart of France’s mess of a government to a republic. On the other hand, the French Revolution achieved a record setting amount of governments in the span of three years. They went a full circle from a monarchy to a monarchy, thanks to Napoleon Bonaparte. In conclusion, the events and people involved in each of the three revolutions were useful to that specific revolution. The Haitian, American, and French Revolutions share many key ideas that deal with Enlightenment ideas, revolutionary phases, goals, and the dates at which the revolution took place. However, they also clash with each other in all of those topics that makes for a great learning opportunity for the students of AP World History and history classes alike.
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.
Revolution is one word that summarizes complete change. To put the name of a country before the word revolution means complete change in that country's government. In some way, whether it be politically, economically, or socially, the government failed to appease the people. In France and Latin America they stopped at virtually nothing to gain their goal. Latin America literally bit the hand the fed them and France beheaded their own king. This was all done in the name of reformation and change because somehow their government severely let down their people.
The late 18th century and early 19th century was a prominent time period in which the French Revolution and Haitian revolution occurred. Both revolutions were connected to each other such that they shared similar causes and consequences. Together, France and Haiti were angered by the inequality and unfair privileges that continued to appear in their societies. At the same time, they were inspired and hopeful of bringing the Enlightenment ideas into reality. Although they were able to accomplish most of what they fought for, such as the abolition of slavery, they still took part in bloody revolutions.
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 and the Haitian Revolution were very significant in the course of human history. They were significant because they changed governments and the human rights in their respective nations. The people in France and Haiti wanted a new government in the form of a democracy. Both revolutions had many similarities and differences. The causes for both revolutions were similar because the poorest citizens of each country drove the need for the revolutions as those in higher power treated them with no dignity.
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...
They started out similarly, but they ended very differently. The American Revolution ended in a newly formed independent government. The French revolution overthrew their government and killed their king. The French Revolution resulted in dictatorship that lasted for years.
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 with Great Britain. Taxes, trade regulations, and overarchingly, 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 down spiraling economies, selfish, money wealth-thirsty leaders, ideologies, and provocation.
The French and American Revolution are considered to be some of the most significant events within the history of each of these countries. All though these are considered revolutions, are they actually? A revolution is when a group of people try to overthrow their government and then create a new government. The American Revolution was first set into motion by the Enlightenment era. The Enlightenment Era was a time where Enlightenment thinkers such as Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau embodied reason, government, religion, and no cruel death punishments. The American Revolution failed to achieve all that it was meant to. The old authority remained the same, but it did cause social change among the people. After the American Revolution
The 18th and 19th century was marked by the four Atlantic revolutions provoking tremendous change in the social and political structures. While there were four revolutions in the Atlantic Basin, the degree of revolution varied greatly. A revolution is defined as the overthrow of a government by force and the implementation of a new system. Each revolution differed greatly in terms of effects, violence, being a conservative or a radical movement, and the revolution being categorized as political, social, or both.
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 Enlightment was one of the causes because it inspired ideas of freedom and equality. This means that some of the government’s power would be lost.
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.
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.