The American And French Revolutions 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 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.

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

During the late 1700's, two great revolutions occurred, the American Revolution and the French Revolution. These two historical events happened at the same time, but had a great number of differences and very little similarity. When French Revolution occurred, it turned into a very violent and bloody event, while the American Revolution was almost nonviolent, aside from the war. In 1774, King Louis XVI made a decision that could have prevented the French Revolution by breathing new life into the French economy: he appointed Physiocrat Robert Turgot as Controller General of Finance.

What is a revolution? By definition it means the overthrow of a government by those who are governed. That is exactly what the French and the Mexican revolutions were all about. The living conditions and overall treatment of the poor, pheasants, lower class, last man on the totem pole or what ever you want to call them, was a large factor in the coming of these revolutions. "Those who are governed" are exactly what the lower class people were. Also, liberty was one of the people's major concerns. They were ruled by men whose only desire was power and greed which is what led them into revolt.

The American and French Revolutions were profoundly motivated by economics. Prior to the Revolution, British colonies in America were thriving. Colonists paid fairly few taxes and were permitted to participate in domestic economic activity, granted they adhere to the Navigation Act, an act requiring, “that all trade within the empire be conducted on ships which were constructed, owned and largely manned by British citizens. Certain enumerated goods whether exported or imported by the colonies had to be shipped through England regardless of the final port of destination.” (Baack) Its mother country however, was not analogous. England’s debt had nearly doubled due to their victory over France during the 7 Year War and was frantically

Voltaire, Enlightenment thinker from the seventh century, composed many of his works to show how corrupt the government had become from the start of his life, his greatest works, and his death. At a young age, Voltaire wasn’t his original name, he was named Francois-Marie Arouet. During the time of his growth, his father has discouraged him to be a writer and to become a lawyer instead.

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.

During the 18th century, the Enlightenment ideas were flourishing in both the American and French Revolutions. The Enlightenment perspective consisted of people searching for their social prestige, questioning authorities and believing they could create a new republic. The Americans aimed for independence and the French desired to overthrow their monarchy. The objective in both revolutions were relatively the same, to overthrow and recreate in efforts to achieve national sovereignty. However, the outcomes of the two socials worlds were radically different. The French citizens emerged more enlightenment thinkers demanding their equal rights despite regressing back to a monarch. In contrast, the Americans formed a successful democratic republic but continued inequality within their society. Furthermore, the French were significantly more revolutionary, as opposed to reactionary, than the Americans.

François-Marie Arouet, or as I will refer to him in this paper as (Voltaire), was born in Paris, France in 1694. He was one if not the leading writers of the Enlightenment, A time period between 1650-1800. Some of Voltaire’s greatest works were Candide, probably his most famous, Zaire, a tragic play, and a historical study of King louis the fourteenth called The age of Louis XIV. Voltaire had a nasty habit of getting in trouble with the French authorities for his writings, he was imprisoned twice and died shortly after returning to Paris in 1778.

François-Marie Arouet, also known as Voltaire after his writings exiled him from france, was an Era of Enlightenment philosopher that focused on social oppression, Government corruption, and fanaticism; i.e, optimistic philosophy and religion. Voltaire 's writing style was indignantly satirical to the late middle ages system, but despite exile from France because of his writing, he became popular among the masses for his philosophy. Candide, one of Voltaire 's more famous works, expresses lack of reasoning in optimistic philosophy, for the application of practical issues. Candide’s journey is expressed in a quick turnover of events, leaving the reader unavailable to emotionally attach themselves to tragedies; however, Candide’s transformation to an ethical individual is expressed by the lack of practical use of optimistic philosophy.

This paper will focus on Voltaire’s stances on vital issues, their weight versus the ideas and practices against which they are reactions, and their influence on both 18th century Europe and the modern West.

For the French Revolution, the historians are mainly entangled in the debate between two different interpretations. The Marxists recognize the French Revolution as the conflict between the old order (feudal system) and the modern society. On the other hand, the revisionists consider the French Revolution as essentially a political revolution, instead of a bourgeois revolution. From my perspective, the French Revolution is a combined consequence of both economic and political causes. Although revisionists have their valid arguments, I can’t agree with their ignorance of the social conflict, the complex economy France had, the resistance from the old order, and their stress on the liberal professionals being the leader of the revolution. However, I find the debate between the Marxists and the Revisionists is actually a discovering process for the French Revolution.

Voltaire known as French Enlightenmen, author, historian and a theorist. François-Marie Arouet was born on November 21, 1694. He was so weak when being born and not expected to live Marguerite Daumard and Francois Arouet were his parents. As a student, he was an inspiration young man. He was close with his mother, and sister. Voltaire had an uneasy relationship with his father, who depressed his literature desire and tried to force his son to law. By rejecting his family’s valves, he decided to drop the family name and change it to Voltaire. The 18th century was called the Age of Enlightenment, but its known as the age of Voltaire. After finishing school, he started a career as a poet. After he got out of prison, Voltaire start his long partnership towards theater. Overall, this is a start towards a beautiful relationship for Voltaire and the whole world.