The Peasants Revolt

The initial impulse of the French revolution was destructive. For those who lived through all, or even part, of these vast upheavals, the shock was overwhelming. Maximilien Robespierre was a proud disciple of the enlightenment and declared that no political writer had foreseen this revolution. Robespierre (1758-1794) was one of the leaders of the Committee of Public Safety, the effective governing body of France during the most radical phase of the revolution. The leaders of this revolution attempted, perhaps more than any other revolutionary leaders before or since, to totally transform human society in every way. (Supreme Being) Although Robespierre began with patriotic intent he still was the face of the Reign of Terror and was viewed as being a radical person.

In American history everyone believes that the American Revolution would begin in 1775. But many would argue that the American Revolution had started even earlier than that. As the American Revolution would not spring up overnight, but throughout a series of events that would build tension caused by different views on government, and conflicting interests between the British and their colonies on the western hemisphere.

ROBIN HOOD In the years of King Richard the Lionheart (1189-1199) there lived a brave and intelligent man called Robin Hood. He was a feared outlaw, who loved liberty and hated oppression. He took the law into his own hands and robbed the rich to give to the poor. People loved him and thought of him as a justice-maker. In time he acquired a heroic reputation and came to represent the ideal of heroism of his age. Stories about him and his closest friends Friar Tuck, Little John, and Maid Marian may be found in the time. They say that Robin Hood and his companions lived in Sherwood Forest, near Nottingham. They were called the ‘merry men’ and used to wear green clothes, a particular shade of green, called

Just about any country that one can name has some history of civil unrest, class issues, rioting in the streets, and outright warfare. These patterns of behavior are common denominators for most civilization in the world. The names, faces, and places may change, but the motivations are generally the same, because of the need for change and the willingness to do whatever is necessary to achieve it. In contrast to the United States, which was in the process of freeing itself from British colonial rule, France was working to free itself from royal absolutism. This period is historically known as the French Revolution. Many scholars do not agree 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 with these political developments. Without this uprising, that changed the face of the entire country and influenced local political life in many countries in Europe, in all likelihood the France we know today would never have existed.

The American Revolution was undeniably the most pivotal time period in respect to United States History, but who was really to blame for initiating the conflict? While both the British politicians and American colonists shared the blame for the kindling of the revolution, one party was certainly more at fault than the other: the British. Through short-term causes of taxation and incommodious trade acts, and long-term causes of salutary neglect and involvement in the burdensome French & Indian War, the British politicians proved to ultimately be the most responsible for igniting the Revolutionary War.

From 1524 to 1526 peasant revolts were occurring throughout the German states. Many causes and responses brewed out of these revolts. One cause is from religion issues (1,3,6) , Luther’s idea of equality. Another cause is the peasant gaining power (2,8,9). As a result of these causes came out response, the most common response was riots and chaos (5,11,7). These revolts would end in thousands of rebel deaths and others are also killed.

Some people believe the American Revolution is strictly liberal, in truth it is conservative evidenced by the new British policies, colonial reactions and the examinations of what it means to be conservative vs. liberal.

The German Peasants’ Revolt arose due to the various interpretations of Martin Luther’s ideals. Also, the peasants’ desire to end serfdom and seek equality within the social classes led to the revolt. The responses of the revolt varied from condemnation to sympathy and support towards the peasants.

During the earlier years of history, people from Britain came over to the new world, or what is now known as the United States due to overpopulation. Britain began unfairly taxing the British colonists in the new world to raise money for the costs of the French and Indian war. This unfair taxation, which ultimately was stripping the colonists of their right to self-govern, caused them to want to declare their independence. The Americans established a government separate from the British one due to the previous overpowerment inflicted by the British government. The Americans used their enlightenment beliefs to define the new nation.

Throughout the article there were plenty of characters that were compared, real to mythical, and there were also legends told that could have been or may not have been true. One of the characters that stood out to me was Jesse Woodland James, the well-known in the old west for bank robberies, train robberies and murder when he killed a banker mistakenly thinking the banker was responsible for the shooting of Bloody Bill. However what caught my attention was the accusations of Jesse James taking from the wealthy and giving back to the poor. Although, there was no proof for this, it was compared to the mythical-being known as Robin Hood. Who was also known as an outlaw in the English Folklore, as well as taking from the higher class and giving back to the lower class. Just as Jesse James sent impudent messages to Pinkerton detectives and newspapers, Robin Hood did the same sending letters to the sheriff of Nottingham. However, with actuality, Jesse James and his gang had prices on their heads for the crimes they committed in which he paid the ultimate price for and was shot dead in his own home by Robert

     Farmers were once known for being able to do everything themselves. They grew their own food and sewed their own clothes. People often yearn for the old days and complain about so many people living in cities. Many farmers had to give up their farms and move to the cities, because of something that happened in the late nineteenth century.

The Daughters of the American Revolution was founded with the intent to preserve American history. However what was the rationale behind the need for an organization of this kind? Because the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.) limited its membership to only descendants of participants in the war and created a focus on the importance of ancestry, leads the belief that there were another motivating factor behind an organization of this type. Influencing the founders of the D.A.R. was both the Civil War and the rising immigration to the United States. The Civil War ended with slaves becoming freemen and citizens, affecting the definition of citizenship. Also the war increase patriotic drive in the citizens which directly lead the forming of the patriotic group, The D.A.R. Immigration boomed during the nineteenth century and like the situation with freedmen changed the makeup of American citizenship. The D.A.R. was created as a reaction to theses social changes.

With no cash inflows, Robin will quickly consume his financial reserves and will not be able to purchase food, pay his men, or continue to outfit and provision the band. Consequently, this will leave Robin Hood and his band susceptible to attacks from a Sheriff that is getting stronger, recruiting more men, and receiving financial backing. Therefore, in order for the revolt to succeed, Robin Hood and the Merrymen do need to establish a new mission, new objectives, and a new strategy to achieve their goals.

When dealing with the fictional character of Robin Hood, it is easy to get lost in the fantasy of his tale because of the additions to the story through oral tradition over the years. However, there was a real- life Robin Hood who was much different than what twentieth century cinemas portrayed him as being. The real Robin Hood was born at Locksley in the county of Nottingham during the reign of Henry II. It may be confusing to many people to hear that he was a yeoman, nothing more, nothing less. The ideal supremacy from his legends depicts him as being a knight in shining armor, but the history from his ballads tells otherwise.

In the beginning, Robin Hood takes on a leadership role by ruling supreme and making all-important decisions. He delegated specific tasks to followers who worked towards a vision that Robin Hood, the leader, prescribes. In forming a vision Robin felt that his strength was in numbers so he accepted allies and later also excepting all those who had a willingness to serve for Robin. The best leaders will have the most followers. His followers need to be motivated, believing in Robin’s vision and taking this vision on themselves for it to be successful. Its Robin’s responsibility to commit to leadership and the enterprise (Merrymen) in order to have a successful band of Merrymen. Without his leadership of his strategy, the Merrymen would not have a road map to carry out Robin’s vision.