Despite their differences, the French Revolution and American Revolution were the instances of civilians rebelling against their government. The two revolutions in France and America declared war based on their emphasis on the Enlightenment thought. The Enlightenment, which started in France, caused those under power of monarchies to begin to recognize the inequality inherent in such systems. Subsequently, both countries started an uprising of people against the unfair taxation by the monarchy.
The American Revolution marked the first time in history that people fought for their independence. The reason for the American Revolution was due to the growing tensions between residents of Great Britain’s 13 North American colonies and the colonial government, which represented the British crown. Consequently, around 7,200 Americans died in battle during the Revolution. Another 10,000 died from disease or exposure and
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about 8,500 died in British prisons. France played a key role in the American Revolutionary War.
After the Americans captured a British army, France became allies with America in 1776. Doing so, France declared war on Britain, provided money and materiel to arm the new republic, and sent an army to the United States. In early 1777, months before Saratoga, the French sent American colonists 25,000 uniforms and pairs of boots, hundreds of cannons, and thousands of muskets -- everything that the colonists would've had a hard time surviving without, and had no access to on their own. France also provided a 90 percent of the Americas' gunpowder.
The most important causes of the French Revolution were the nation's debt, the refusal of the nobility and the clergy to pay taxes, egalitarian philosophies, and high food costs. These factors destabilized society and increased the political influence of the commoners. Their king at the time, King Louis XVI, was executed in 1793. The revolution ended when Napoleon Bonaparte took power in 1799, leading France to enter a fifteen-year period of military
rule. The United States was allied with France at the time of the revolution. Their hope was that democratic reforms would turn France into a more powerful ally against Britain. Many French citizens, refugees from the French and Haitian revolutions, settled in American cities and remained politically active, setting up newspapers and agitating for their political causes. Many refugees choose to return to France and Haiti when the political situation had temporarily calmed in both places. Nowadays, in America, Americans celebrate their independence on July 4, marking the anniversary of the publication of the declaration of independence from Great Britain in 1776. The French National Day commemorates the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête dela Fédération which celebrates the unity of the French people.
...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.
Before the start of the revolution, the colonists were faced with a threat. The French owned a large portion of American soil and had formed close ties with the Native Americans in their area whom were known for their hostility towards the English settlers. During the French and Indian War, the colonists had minimal help other than the strong naval power the English withheld and they were often belittled by the experienced soldiers that quartered in their homes. The colonists gathered a sense of unity in order to win the war. Although England beat the French, the peace would last only a decade before the colonists would revolt.
The American Revolution, or otherwise known as the American War of Independence, took place between the years of 1775-1783. The war was fought between Great Britain and the 13 British North American colonies. The American Revolution caused a series of traumatic events. The American colonists were justified in waging war because the British seized the rights of the colonists, the American colonists did not have a say in Parliament, the Boston Massacre, and incoherent decisions involving taxes by the British King. For example, the British were believed to have too much power.
The Enlightenment period in Europe was a shift in the way that society thought about power and liberty. The ideals of this period helped to inspire the revolutions of the 18th century. The American colonies desired liberty from foreign rule, the French wanted to increase the power of the people in their class structure, and the Haitians fought for representation for the millions of slaves on their island. While the ideas of the enlightenment were not fully employed in each of these revolutions, they brought the nations closer to a fully representative government, rather than one of absolute power. The American revolution was a reaction to unfavorable tax policies from the King of England.
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)
The American Revolution began due to problems within the British economy. The most prevalent issue of the time was "taxation without representation". Unlike the leaders of America, the leaders of the French did not turn out to be as positive for the country. In fact, some of these leaders have caused much more harm than good.
signed the alliance. At first they were sending over gunpowder and guns to aide the Americans, but by 1777 there were French volunteers arriving in Virginia,
The French Revolution was the event that changed much of the way Europe was governed. The French rebellion pitted the poor against the ruling rich and monarchs and though the path was not straight, it did eventually lead to equality for France and much of Europe. The French Revolution occurred over a period of ten years (1789 – 1799), and appeared to be a failure because of its brutality. However, as the years passed, the feudal life that existed for most of France's population died and the monarchy of France (and eventually those throughout Europe) ended.
Shortly after the American Revolution another began across the Atlantic Ocean in Europe. The French Revolution happened for the same reason it occurred in America for; the working class was fed up paying for the wealthy people through taxes. King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette were enjoying lavish lifestyles whilst the Third Estate, or the working class were experiencing a rising cost in bread. Shortly after the Tennis Court Oath where the Third Estate concurred to unite as one to defy the king's taxes. Shortly after this oath the Third Estate stormed the Bastille Prison on July 14th, 1789 in order to raid the weaponry. The revolution took a turn for the worst when the Reign of Terror took its tole on France. Led by Robespierre many were guillotined including the king and queen. Robespierre was eventually overthrown and faced the same consequence as the king and queen. Leading to Napoleon Bonaparte seizing power and becoming emperor of France. Therefore, not much change occurred from the Revolution.
The American Revolution had some of its beginnings in the French and Indian war. For seven years, Britain battled the French and Indian nations in the colonies. Where the colonies militia fought beside the troops of the British army and learned war first hand. After winning the war, Britain had a large debt 140 million pounds. To pay these expenses, it was reasoned that taxing the colonies should pay the debt. The war had been fought to protect the land of the Ohio River Valley, land that was part of the colonies.
Thomas Paine was involved in both wars. During the American Revolution, he wrote “Common Sense” to get people involved and encourage them to fight for the freedom. During the French Revolution, he wrote “The Rights of Man”, which opposed rule by monarchs and wealthy aristocrats. The American Revolution was started to allow for freedom of religion and for freedom from oppression. The Americans succeeded in winning the war and claiming their independence and they gained economic and religious freedom. When the war was over, America was able to form its own government, represented by its people. The American Revolution was not as bloody as the French. The French Revolution was started because the people wanted to get rid of the monarchy as well. The government imposed taxes on the people to support the king’s lifestyle, and the majority of the French people had nothing. The French Revolution was very violent and bloody. Even though they were able to overthrow the monarchy, gaining their freedom was a long process. After the war, France was controlled by one group or another, and eventually ruled by a dictator named Napoleon. (ducksters
The American and French revolutions were two great revolutions that changed two nations two what they are now known for today. The American’s, Patriots, whatever you may call them, took the land of America away from the heavy taxing of Great Britain. The French took over their government and took whomever was in their way with them. Both nations are similar in government and economic ways, and different in social ways.
First and foremost, French revolution and American revolution are the products of Enlightenment ideals that emphasized the idea of natural rights and equality. After a growing number of the French citizenry had absorbed the ideas of equality and freedom of the individual as presented by Voltaire, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Denis Diderot and other philosophers, the Enlightenment philosophy promoted a new society based on reason instead of traditions. Besides, Common Sense by Thomas Paine galvanized the American public and condemn the monarchy in England. At the same time, there were many American Revolutionary leader gleaned the concepts of the social contract limited government and separation of power from Enlightenment.
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.