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Comparison between the American and French revolutions
Declaration of independence analysis
Comparison between the American and French revolutions
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John Locke expressed that “All mankind…being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions” Locke’s view, which also was the idea of Enlightenment ideals, enlightened both American people and French people fought for their freedoms from absolute monarchs, and sought ways to firm their equality and natural right to life, liberty, and property during the eighteenth century. American revolution began as a conflict between thirteen colonies in the North America and the British Empire, and ended as the creation of the United State of America. French revolution was unleashed by the risk of France’s old regime and ended in 1799 when Napoleon staged a coup and seized power. Both American Revolution and French Revolution began with the same goals, which was the creation of a new government, but these were achieved in different ways: the American Revolution was a revolt that affirming the independence of the American to against Britain, while the French Revolution was civic wars among the people who turning France into a constitutional monarchy. In this paper, I will argue though the strategy of two revolutions might have been different, the outcome of their successful revolutions led to the creation of their Declarations, which defined the future of their government. A close look of their similarities and differences shows what led to their creation. The Declaration of Independence was based on certain truths: all men are “created equal” and certain “unalienable Rights”, including “life, liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” , which also was the first and second right of The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen. This premise indicated the circumstance of both revolu... ... middle of paper ... ..., I found that their final goals and impacts of the world were different, though they began within a similar circumstance. The American Revolution successfully against Europe’s supreme powerful empire over the sea, and overthrew an absolute government, as well as established a nonmonarchical, united form of government. The impact of the French Revolution was far-reaching. It abolished the Bourbon monarchy, legitimized the National Assembly, and found the first French Republic. It stated liberty base on individual rights. Bibliography Jefferson, Thomas. "The United States Declaration of Independence." (1776). Locke, John. Two Treatises of Government. 1690. Paine, Thomas. Common Sense. Philadelphia: And sold by W. and T. Bradford, 1776. "The Decree Abolishing the Feudal System." (1789). "The French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen ." (1789).
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...
When looking at the Declaration of Independence and the justifications which Jefferson used in order to encourage the dissolve of the ties between the United Colonies and Great Britain, it becomes apparent how much of the theories of John Locke that Jefferson used as the basis for his argument. Focusing particularly on the second paragraph of the Declaration, the arguments for the equality of each man and the formation and destruction of governments come almost directly from Locke's Second Treatise of Government. The other arguments in the Declaration of Independence deal primarily with each citizen's rights and the natural freedoms of all men, two areas that Locke also spent much time writing on.
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.
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 Revolution was a large contributing factor to the French revolution. Ideas from the American Revolution were making their way back to France, especially the idea of essential human rights and the validation of John Locke’s theory that Government should serve the people.
This is evident in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen which like the American Declaration announced that the purpose of government is the "preservation of the natural... rights" which are "liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression" (91). This reflects Locke 's ideas of equal and natural rights, which the French used to gain representation and equality for the Third Estate and end aristocratic rule in France (WT/WA 569). The French like the American colonists saw liberty as their natural right, which was violated by the rule of the King along with the privileges given to the First and Second Estate. Influenced by the American Revolution and Locke 's ideas, the French thought it was their duty to change this government. Locke 's political ideology catalyzed the American and French
Locke and Rousseau present themselves as two very distinct thinkers. They both use similar terms, but conceptualize them differently to fulfill very different purposes. As such, one ought not be surprised that the two theorists do not understand liberty in the same way. Locke discusses liberty on an individual scale, with personal freedom being guaranteed by laws and institutions created in civil society. By comparison, Rousseau’s conception portrays liberty as an affair of the entire political community, and is best captured by the notion of self-rule. The distinctions, but also the similarities between Locke and Rousseau’s conceptions can be clarified by examining the role of liberty in each theorist’s proposed state of nature and civil society, the concepts with which each theorist associates liberty, and the means of ensuring and safeguarding liberty that each theorist devises.
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 American and French Revolutions were both very well known for many different reasons. Luckily, for the American Revolution, they were the ones that actually succeeded, the French on the other hand were not as fortunate in their success. The American Revolution was successful because they broke apart from the British; some of the ways that they did this were with the Declaration of Independence, and the constitution. The French on the other hand failed, they did not successes because of the beheading of Marie Antoinette, and the storming of the Bastille.
While the French Revolution might be over, and the ISIS Revolution is “Just beginning”, they might have more in common than you might think. The French Revolution was started by normal citizens who needed a new government just to survive. The Islamic State Revolution was started because of religious beliefs and is seen as a massive terrorist group. Both the French Revolution and the Islamic State Revolution use similar tactics in combat and how they spread their cause, but they’re cause is quite different.
Now, even though they started out similarly, they also did have some differences from each other. The American Revolution was the first significant revolution of the century, and it was also the first to be successful. The main reason it was successful was that it did not start out being “rebellious” in nature, but rather conservative. In another words, it was not a rebellion against the Government, but rather against having too much government controlling them. (American Revolution) The French revolution was a true rebellion against the King and the government in general. The French were the ones on the offensive, fighting to gain new freedom starting with the Storming of the Bastille. (French Revolution)
On August 26, 1789, the assembly issued the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.” Through judicial matters, this document was written in order to secure due process and to create self-government among the French citizens. This document offered to the world and especially to the French citizens a summary of the morals and values of the Revolution, while in turn justifying the destruction of a government; especially in this case the French government, based upon autocracy of the ruler and advantage. The formation of a new government based upon the indisputable rights of the individuals of France through liberty and political uniformity.
The notion of liberty is one that many hold dear and during the American Revolutionary War period, many saw opportunity to speak out and test the waters of liberty. With the Declaration of Independence and the promises of “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” many became convinced that this would change the world. As the war intensified, more and more Americans based their claims for liberty not just on the historical rights of Englishmen but on more abstract language of natural rights and universal freedom. This language included John Locke’s idea that natural rights had existed the establishment of government. Liberty was the foremost popular rallying cry in the age of revolution that began in British north America and spread to Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
John Locke and Jean-Jacque Rousseau were both thinkers that contributed to the notion of government by social contract in their writing by expressing ideas of the human state of nature, natural rights and human innovation. The “ideal” government has been debated by many, but these two thinkers identified revolutionary concepts that were discouraged during their time. There are many notable differences between the two thinkers, but there are similarities as well, including their contribution in this period commonly referred to as the “Enlightenment”. It is especially important to note that the American government is founded on some of their concepts because of their efficiency and relatability. Often times, the ones who speak out radical ideas during their time, are later studied and tested to determine effectiveness in government. Despite differences in their writing styles, they both concentrated on more realistic ideas and observations than previous contributors. The common goal is to preserve our lives and create a safe, stable society that is striving for the common good.
It is certainly true of the French Revolution that nothing had its intended effect, least of all the idealism which inspired the revolution itself in that optimistic summer of 1789. The King’s plan for fiscal reform had turned into a freewheeling effort to recreate the nation on a humanistic, rational basis, the results of which would define European history forever. Nothing represents this utopian vision better than the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which codified a universal law that ranked even above the constitution in significance. It stands in history as a titanic example of moral uprightness, but also as one of failure: it had been weakened by 1795, entirely abolished by the Napoleonic Code, and not widely adhered