Essay on Comparison of the American and French Revolutions

Comparison of the American and French Revolutions The American and French revolutions both compare and contrast in their origins and outcomes; both revolutions began due to the common peoples need to obtain independence and liberty from an oppressive government. The American Revolution was triggered by the American colonists need for financial independence from the overpowering nation of Great Britain, while the French revolution was a struggle to gain social equality among the masses. Although the American and French Revolutions were fought over the same ideas, the American Revolution is considered more â€Å"conservative† than the French. The intent of the American revolutionaries was not to initiate a revolution, but rather to gain their†¦show more content†¦The British found that they could no longer afford to keep fighting to remain control of the American colonies; the British surrendered in Yorktown, Virginia, in 1781. American independency was finally recognized in 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was drawn up as a result of two years of negotiations. The American colonies had been so deprived of their natural rights from the British government that the only viable solution was to have a revolution. However, the American revolutionaries were able to maintain a conservative approach to the revolution due to non-violent tactics used by the American colonists. In 1787, a few years after the British recognized American independency, the Revolution in France was beginning to unravel. France was desperately in need of financial assistance; it lacked a National Bank and National Treasury system. France had supported the American colonists in the American Revolution, and also gave financial support in the War of Austrian Succession, and the Seven Years War. A combination of the financial support given in these wars, maintaining their military, and the fact that France spent more then it collected in taxes each year, resulted in a substantial debt crisis for France. The French Revolution was also a result of the discontentment of the social structure in France. King Louis and his wife, Marie Antoinette, were very unpopular among the French because they did not care about their subjects.Show MoreRelatedComparison Of The French And American Revolution838 Words   |  4 Pagesabout the people. The people of France and America have declared their independence with their own letter to the king, The Declaration of Independence and The Declaration of the Rights of Man. These two documents of freedom will start the French and American Revolution, which leads to these to countries being independent and free from the king. The Declaration of Independence in fact is still used today. The people of America were tired of trading through England, and not being able to use whateverRead MoreThe Revolutionary War : Wim Klooster s Book Revolutions1114 Words   |  5 PagesKlooster’s book Revolutions in the Atlantic World expresses the deep roots of the revolutionary war period throughout various locations and circumstances. He strives to express the causes, effects, and the political civil war which caused the great uproar in the once colonial lands. This shift in history is noted in Klooster’s book and expanded upon in his chapter entitled â€Å"The Revolution’s Compared.† He notes the various commonalities between the American, French, Haitian, and Spanish American revolutionsRead MoreThe French Revolution1575 Words   |  7 Pagesrule, France was working to free itself from royal absolutism. This period is historically known as the French Revolution. Many scholars do not ag ree on the chronology of the French Revolution; some scholars suggest that the Revolution took place between 1789 to 1799 while others feel that it did not end until Napoleon lost power in 1815. To better understand the history of the French Revolution it is necessary to discuss the causes, major events, significant figures, and the outcomes associated withRead MoreComparing the French Revolution and the American Revolution Essay example857 Words   |  4 Pages The French and American revolutions are both very significant in the world’s history. The American Revolution happened first, around the last half of the 18th century where the Thirteen Colonies became the United States of America, and gained independence from the British Empire. The French revolution on the other hand, was from 1789 until the turn of the century 1799. For the French people this was a period of political and social turmoil. The idea of Enlightenment stuck a large populationRead MoreSimi larities Between The French Revolution And American Revolution1067 Words   |  5 PagesThe American Revolution and the French Revolution The late 1700’s was a time for cutting-edge inventions, literary and philosophical achievements, upcoming and rising leaders, and lastly, revolutions. The American revolution took place from 1770 to 1783. The French Revolution began in 1789 and lasted for a decade Both the American and French Revolution occurred at the same time and the citizens were both fighting for freedom from a monarchy, there are many important similarities and differencesRead MoreThe Age of Revolutions1515 Words   |  7 PagesThe Age of Revolutions is often a term used for a period of time, usually between 1760 -1848. Although the term encompasses many revolutions across the globe, it isn’t very often that these events are examined as a whole; compared and contrasted to show the similarities, differences, and even some potential catalytic properties between them. The book The Age of Revolutions in Global Context, c. 1760-1840, put together and edited by David Armitage and Sanjay Subrahmanyam, is a book of essays collaboratedRead MoreDifferences Between the French and American Revolutions1362 Words   |  6 PagesDifferences in the American and French Revolutions Sometimes a revolution can take place within a country against its own current state of government, other times a revolution can take place externally to rid a country of another countrys influence. There are many components that are involved in a revolution taking place. One must consider the causes or reasons of the situation, the events that occur during the revolution and the effects or aftermath that had been created by that revolution. There wereRead MoreFrench Revolution: the Solution to Class Inequality1141 Words   |  5 Pages The French Revolution was one of the most important events that occurred in the history of France. The revolution crumpled the Old Regime and completely transformed the social and political system of France. The people of France sought to establish a more egalitarian society through their newly created Republic. When Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu introduced individual liberty, natural rights and equality the ideas of revolution emergedRead MoreEssay On The Causes Of The French And American Revolution1061 Words   |  5 PagesThe American, French, Haitian, and Mexican revolutions are epitomes of responsible citizens advocating for social and political upheaval in hopes of saving and furthering their states. These revolutions, more than others, exemplify nations that rebelled against governments which maliciously abused their power. The American Revolution focused on achieving independence from Britain, as Britain abused th eir power by unfairly taxing colonists. The Mexican Revolution concentrated on eliminating dictatorshipRead MoreThe American And French Revolutions1517 Words   |  7 PagesThe American French Revolutions The American Revolution and French Revolution were unique in world history because they used the ideas of freedom and equality from the Enlightenment, but understood them differently at the same time. Both revolutions occurred around the same time- the 18th Century, the American Revolution began on the 4th of July when Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (Dr. Taylor). The French Revolution then follows in 1789, provoked by â€Å"...a greater demand