French and American Revolution Compare and Contrast Essay
| Subject: | 🗽 American History |
| Type: | Compare and Contrast Essay |
| Pages: | 2 |
| Word count: | 504 |
| Topics: | American Revolution, French Revolution |
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Table of Contents
Introduction
There are several remarkable similarities and differences among the American and French Revolutions. The American Revolution takes its foundation from the fact that Great Britain imposed taxes on the American colonies, and the people tried to fight against unjust power. Additionally, Great Britain was under the influence of the Enlightenment. The origin of the French Revolution was the dispute between the monarchy and the nobility over the “reform” of the tax system. The French were inspired by the American Revolution and decided to fight to depose the French monarchy forever.
French and American Revolution
The similarities between the French and American Revolutions are that their peoples were desperate to change their government and unfair economic policies. Because of the economic problems, the British imposed unbearable taxes in America, which caused people’s resentment and at the same time attempts to get rid of it. The financial problems experienced by the French government were tragic. No goods were made or sold, imported or exported without the approval and absolute control of the government. It follows that both the Americans and the French were dissatisfied with their situation, which led to the revolutions.
There was no prevailing reign of terror in the American Revolution. One of the many distinctions between the American and French revolutions is that, unlike the French, the Americans were not struggling for something imaginary. Both revolutions had the same beginning and were fought with similar purposes, but ended differently. Both wars may have been caused by the corresponding factors, but they were waged by different people. One historical event was caused by people who belonged to diverse classes, but were evidently steered by the upper class. The other was initiated by the lower class. The upper and middle social classes of the French were extremely privileged. The dissatisfied feelings and resentment of the Third Estate towards the other two estates increased, leading to the Revolution. The American Revolution was the outcome of the American population’s dissatisfaction with the way they were being ruled by the British.
One of the most prominent documents of the French Revolution was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which was written by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1789. In the course of the American Revolution, such a valuable document was the Treaty of Paris, a peace agreement that ended the long Revolutionary War. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is significant because it clarifies a list of rights such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and separation of powers. The Treaty of Paris is meaningful because it concluded the revolution and finally declared American independence. Without the Treaty of Paris, the American Revolution would have most likely continued.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the French Revolution obviously could have been more effective. The American Revolution considerably improved the conditions that the American people were in. Both revolutions effectively achieved what they demanded. Although the governments and economic stability could also have been better as a result.
Offered for reference purposes only.