French Revolution Vs American Revolution Dbq Essay

A revolution, by definition, is the overthrow of one government followed by replacement with another. The American Revolution against the British during 1775 to 1783 and the French Revolution pitting the French people against their own government during 1789 to 1799 were both very important political and social turnovers. This movement towards the establishment of a constitutional government influenced political thought throughout the world. By closely examining three of the main causes of these revolutions, it is clear that although the two revolutions have their differences, the basis of cause for the revolutions have, overall, much stronger similarities.

The American Revolution had many more causes than the French Revolution. Both Revolutions were generally caused by taxation without representation; meaning the colonist and the third estate did not have a voice of opinion in these new laws. The stamp act and smuggling passed parliament, and those laws were placed on the colonist. Everything was being taxed; that money paying off the debt of the French and Indian War, also being sent to England. King Louis XVI raised the third estates taxes to pay off the debt of wars and deficit spending. Both the third estates and the colonist didn't have a say in the new laws or work they were now having to follow. The French and the Americans had a rebellion that lead them into the revolution. The colonist had the Boston tea party where the colonist dressed as Native Americans to board ship that help the highly

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 “conservative” than the French. The intent of the American revolutionaries was not to initiate a revolution, but rather to gain their

The American Revolution began for two reasons: political and economic, while the French Revolution began with domination and mismanagement that contributed to the French society. During the Revolution many events occurred having a major effect, such as the sugar act, currency act, and the Townshend act. The French began the Tennis Court Oath, the Storming of the Bastille, and the overthrown of Monarchy. The French Revolution followed in suit with the American Revolution, because the French were in favor for what the American Revolution was fighting for.

They thought that there was not good enough reason for the new taxes. England on the other hand stated that they taxed the colonist more because they were nearly bankrupt after the French and Indian War. That felt someone had to help compensate and since the American colonies benefited more. They need to bear most of the cost for England’s’ protection and administration. (Pg.536). Between 1763 and 1774, the government passed a new series of laws; placing the colonies under strict restrictions and making them pay higher taxes.

The United States and Venezuela were both once colonies controlled by European Nations. In 1765, The American Revolution took place by the rebellious united 13 colonies against British power. In 1810, The Venezuelan Revolution began with many reasons to go against Spain. Both revolutions had similar reasons such as to become an independent Nation and secure liberal rights. While ideas and perspectives may have differed in 17-1800s, it was about finding peace and prosperity as it did not exist in the colonies. While whites always had the upper hand, during the revolution specific groups of people took over with rebellions and resistances. On the other hand, there were specific reasons to why people resisted and revolted against the leaders in charge. European nations were greeds wanting money and control, their mistreatment were the reasons for the revolution. Both the Venezuelan and American revolution had the catastrophic number. Even though, The American and Venezuelan revolution took place in different time period, there were similar reason for resistance/rebellions in colonies to become an Independent Nation and carry out equality and Freedom.

According to an excerpt from Miss Betham-Edwards, ed., Arthur Young’s Travels in France During the Years 1787, 1788, and 1789, it states that “there is an injustice in levying the amount each person must pay… they had to pay a tax of 42 pounds of wheat, and three chickens, to one noble and 168 pounds of oats, one chicken and 1sou… (Doc. E)”. This quote shows that the amount of the tax that the 3rd estates have to pay is excessively abundant. Also, they are the ones making the least money compared to other estates. The people of the 3rd estates had a difficult time paying the taxes, eventually, they couldn’t take it and planned to change the taxation system.

The Age of Enlightenment served as the concrete base for America. It also served the same purpose in France. The desire for a “utopia” was what each nation wanted, as any country would. The Enlightenment promoted the individual or the idea of humanism. Humanism, which spread across Europe after the creation of the printing press, was a philosophy that no longer focused on theism but human needs. Man was no longer depending on the church for thoughts to make decisions. The idea of fearing their God and church was no longer seen as necessary. People were trying to come up with solutions through their own rational thought uninfluenced by anyone else, but themselves. Both France and the American colonies were becoming secular, though France

During the time of the Atlantic Revolutions, two revolutions had similar formats to their revolting. The French and American revolutions have the most similarities to the enlightenment ideals behind their revolt, how the revolt was carried out, and how the results impacted the citizens. The first way in which the French and American revolutions are similar is that of their enlightenment ideals that started the revolutions. Both countries were influenced heavily by the European enlightenment. The ideals that all people should have rights and that an absolute monarchy is not the way to rule a government were heavily impactful in starting the revolution and carried relevance throughout the entirety of both.

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 population of the French people and led to many changes in society. These two individual revolutions have many comparisons and although they are not identical they become intertwined with separate philosophies on politics and economic expansion.

There are many similarities and differences when comparing revolutions. Most of these revolutions fall in around the same time and some had the same causes/goals. The American, French, and Haitian revolutions all took place in a span of less than 100 years. While these revolutions have much if common, they also have differences in the effect of these wars.

1.) Why does the United States come out its revolution with a republic instead of a monarchy? Why do the French wind up with an Emperor Napoleon but the United States does not have a King George of the House of Washington?

During the late 18th century, two great revolutions occurred, the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Between the years of 1775-1783, The American Revolution was fought between the thirteen British colonies in North America and Great Britain, their mother country. Thomas Hutchinson, the royal governor of Massachusetts at the time, sums the reason for war best, saying "‘No middle ground exists between the supreme authority of Parliament and the total dependence of the colonies: it is impossible there should be two independent legislatures in one and the same state'" (Van Tyne 135). The American Revolution was effectively a "conservative" advancement, and was fought

Some do not know what the real cause of the French Revolution was. There are many considerable factors, yet none of them have been pinned down as the true reason (SparkNote Editors). The French Revolution started as a rebellion for equality, but eventually turned out to be more and show the problems throughout the French government.

The French revolution was generated by the country’s political landscape, centuries-old institutions and the feudal system. Inspired by the American Revolution, the French Revolution was set in motion by the ideals of popular sovereignty, inalienable human rights and other enlightenment principles. The French Revolution was pivotal in influencing modern nations and the rest of the world by exemplifying the willpower of the people and their ability to propagate change. Plagued by war, instability and political upheaval France would undergo a series of regime changes during this time period that would build upon each other and forever change the structure of government and society. The French Revolution began in 1789 and endured into the late 1790's when it gave way to the rise to power of Napoleon Bonaparte and his authoritarian rule.