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The differences in the effects of the american and french revolutions
The economic causes of the french revolution
The economic causes of the french revolution
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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. The enlightenment ideas affected politics for both the French and the American peoples through the form of government and individual rights. Thinkers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau, believed in the individual right of man as a citizen of a sovereign nation. In 1789, Marquis de Lafayette used Rousseau and other free thinker’s ideas to draft his Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen to the National Constituent Assembly in France (http://www.pbs.org/marieantoinette/revolution/america_france.html). This established universal rights for individuals that always existed at all times. The document shows many similarities to American documents such as the declaration of Human Rights in the U.S. Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. For instance, they all show a relationship through the declaration of individual rights such as free speech and freedom of religion. However, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen focuses more on individualism while American documents focus more on a community “We the People” (http://www.pbs.org/marieantoin... ... middle of paper ... ...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. Works Cited http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/robespierre-terror.asp http://mises.org/daily/1504 http://www.pbs.org/marieantoinette/revolution/america_france.html
1789 was a year that would be imprinted on the minds of Western Europeans for the rest of history. The beginning of a new country who had fought for their rights… the United States of America. Spielvogel states, “To many Europeans it proved that the liberal political ideas of the Enlightenment were not the vapid utterances of intellectuals… The premises of the Enlightenment seemed confirmed; a new age and a better world would be achieved.” (Spielvogel 567). The Revolution embodied the living aspect of the Enlightenment Ideals in Western Europeans minds. They seen what the ideals looked like in action, and they started to build upon that idea to implement in their own lives When the Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence, they took some of the core ideals from the great Enlightenment thinkers to create the living embodiment in the United States. The American Revolution may not have influenced Western Europe physically, however, it has influenced them in ways such as the French Revolution. The origins of the French Revolution can be traced back from two different areas. The Estates (classes), and a wave of bad agricultural years that led to a rise in the poor. However, according to Spielvogel, “The actual influence of the ideas of the philosophes is difficult to prove… but once the Revolution began, the
There were many Enlightenment ideas that provoked the American colonists to start the American Revolution. John Locke was very influential with his ideas of consent of governed, and limited Monarchy. Voltaire also had great ideas which contribute to the American Revolution such as that the government should be run by Natural Law instead of Gods Law.
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.
There are many different ways in which the Enlightenment affected the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. One way was the by the idea of a Social Contract; an agreement by which human beings are said to have abandoned the "state of nature" in order to form the society in which they now live. HOBBES, LOCKE, and J.J. ROUSSEAU each developed differing versions of the social contract, but all agreed that certain freedoms had been surrendered for society's protection and that the government has definite responsibilities to its citizens. Locke believed that governments were formed to protect the natural rights of men, and that overthrowing a government that did not protect these rights was not only a right, but also an obligation. His thoughts influenced many revolutionary pamphlets and documents, including the Virginia Constitution of 1776, and the Declaration of Independence.
“The Philosophes, the early Enlightenment thinkers in France such as Montesquieu, Voltaire, and Diderot, set down some early principles of the movement: the only justification for the state is the promotion of the good life for its citizens; men should be rational, should be allowed to direct their lives by knowledge, reason and experience; the ability to use reason makes men equal; and with the use of reason, progress is sure to come (Artz 33).” Many of the most notable leaders of the American revolution were extremely influenced by English and to an extent, the French Enlightenment thought. Jefferson and Franklin both spent time in France, which was an ally because it was an enemy of England, and absorbed the influence of the French Enlightenment there. The language of natural law, inherent freedoms, and self-determination which inspired them so much that the American formation was the product...
A revolution is a take over a government and to put another government in its place. The Revolution began in 1775, and America was ready for change, freedom, and a disconnection with Great Britain . Taxes, trade regulations, and most of all, power made all colonist, except for loyalist, want to leave from Great Britain's rule.The American Revolution has certain similarities and qualities of the French's revolution. The similarities and qualities are in their economies, leaders, ideology, and provocation.
The Enlightenment features ideas of secularism, limited government and more sovereign power to the people or individual provinces. These ideas would impact the American Revolution, the Framers of the Constitution specifically were impacted by these ideas, many of whom were devout Christians who read John Locke and studied science and secular philosophy. The Framers would ask for independence because King George III was acting like a tyrant instead of a leader. Because of these ideas, America became a republic, the freest in the world, which had a government that feared the people, which is exactly what the Enlightenment taught. It is also noted that the works of John Locke had a profound impact on both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
French and Russian Revolutions Both the French and Russian revolutions occurred for two main reasons. Both of these revolutions were the direct result of bad leadership and a bad economy. These two reasons, along with other factors, caused both of these revolutions. Although they were both similar, they also had differences. A difference between the two is that the Russians had an unsuccessful "pre-revolution" in 1905.
These two revolutions occurred relatively at same period, but were almost complete mirror reflections of one another. The patriots of the revolution in America did not really even wanted a revolution, but had no choice, which made it peaceful aside from the war. The revolutionists in France seemed almost bloodthirsty and were very quick to kill someone for any injustice. The groups of revolutionists were too radical in that they were not willing to compromise. Compromise makes the difference between a peaceful state and a reign of terror.
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.
There are many similarities and difference between the American and the French revolutions. They both have their starting points around liberty and equality. The two countries were trying to obtain freedom from two different competent parties. The French had a desire to put an end to the French Monarchy and develop a more improved government that allowed people to have more rights in the society. The similarities of the American Revolution and the French revolution can be seen by examining the root causes, the rebels, and the lasting impact of both revolutions.
From tea parties, boycotts, and the Declaration of Independence, to Reforms, Declaration of the Rights of Man, and Guillotines, The American and French Revolutions had some similarities as well as some differences. As many revolutions came by, not all had a major influence like how France and America were compared to. Although both had a huge impact, the French Revolution was more important than the American Revolution because of the difference in government and power. The differences that dealt with government and power had many effects and certain people had strong opinions on how things worked politically and economically.
... The American Revolution was fought from 1775-1789. The British wanted Americans to share the imperial expenses. The Americans did not like that so they fought for there freedom and they won. They won their independence. America’s greater political equality was matched by greater social and economic equality. By the time the American revolution ended in 1789 the French revolution began and went on until 1791. The French were influenced by the Americans so they decided to revolutionize too. By the 1780’s France’s government was nearly bankrupt as was the banking system. The French raised bread prices and prices on other essentials. France had to do something so they went to war. France did not endure the immediate successes the way the America did. Theirs was a more slow moving process but eventually they got there. These revolutions reinforced the enlightenment idea that a better life is out there.
The American and French Revolution are similar, but also different in many ways. The revolutions symbolized change during this time period. People are starting to believe that democracy and popular sovereignty can be achieved. The two revolutions showed the world that people can resist the king and establish their own way of governing. Although
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)