French Revolution vs American Revolution Notes:
FRENCH REVOLUTION:
Causes:
1. Economic Inequality: France’s financial sorrows were worsened due to the extravagant
spending and lifestyle of King Louis XVI; they also fought a lot of costly wars and had a
regressive tax system. Commoners had to additionally pay more taxes.
2. Social Injustice: The hierarchy of the Old Regime which consisted of the first estate
(clergy), the second estate (nobility) and the third estate (clerks, commoners) was a
source of unhappiness. The third estate was unfairly treated and heavily taxed, fueling a
greater need for equality
3. Enlightment ideas: During this time, the Enlightment, a period of ferment in Europe was
promoting ideas of individual rights and the concept of democracy. Thinkers like Voltaire
and Rousseau inspired the French public to question the authority of the monarchy.
4. Political corruption: The bourbon monarchy was extremely corrupt and inefficient. King
Louis XVI’s lifestyle and selfishness eroded the public trust. People view the government
as self-serving.
5. Influence of American Revolution: A successful revolution and such independence
showed the French public that it was certainly possible, and this motivated them to fight
for equality themselves.
Effects:
- Traditional hierarchies abolished (nobility privileges were abolished)
- Church was separated from state (secularization) & confiscation of church property, state
seized church lands
- Merit-based principles
- Caused the Reign of Terror in France (period of mass execution and violence)
- Economic disruption (businesses were disrupted due to revolution)
- Economic modernization – administrative reforms
- Resulted in end of monarchy, replaced by first French republic
- Revolution paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte who became emperor
- Nationalism: Sense of patriotism introduced – ‘Liberty, Fraternity, Equality’
Main events:
1. Call of the Estate General: Representatives from the clergy, nobility, and common people
were called to address France's financial crisis and political grievances. This marked the
beginning of the French Revolution.
2. Tennis Court Oath: The Third Estate was locked out of the meeting of the Estates-
General on which led to them going to a nearby indoor tennis court, where they took
the Tennis Court Oath, stating that they wouldn’t separate till they got equality.
3. Storming of the Bastille: The Storming of the Bastille was where a mob of revolutionaries
seized the Bastille prison, symbolizing the people's resistance against the monarchy and
tyranny.
4. March on Versailles: Bread was extremely expensive in Paris. People were starving, while
the royalty enjoyed. The women set out on a march to Versailles in hope of getting
bread.
5. Champ de Mars Massacre: Champ de mars was an event where the French public rallied
against the decision of Louis XVI still being king. This ended in a massacre.
6. Royal family attempts to flee: The royal family fled to Varennes because they realized it
was too dangerous in Paris due to the revolution. They were caught and the trust of the
government to them was gone, they became hostile towards the royal family.
7. Overthrow of the monarchy: French revolutionaries overthrew the monarchy because
they found King Louis XVI guilty of t ereason.
8. Execution of King Louis: Executed by the guillotine.
9. Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power in the aftermath of the French Revolution by
capitalizing on the chaos and instability, eventually becoming the ruler of France as First
Consul and later Emperor.
AMERICAN REVOLUTION:
Why did the British turn to America?
1. Recover costs from fighting wars and maintaining army
2. America was flourishing: north (factories), south (agriculture)
Causes:
1. American settlers were angry because the British government appointed, worked for the
interest of Great Britain, and the Americans couldn’t enjoy the fruits of their hard work.
2. Disputes over colonial rights and representation: The lack of representation in the British
Parliament and perceived violations of colonial rights, such as the Quartering Act, stirred
tensions and demands for greater autonomy.
3. The American revolutionaries were highly influenced by European philosophers like
Voltaire, Rousseau and Locke who inspired hem to fight for their rights.
Effects:
It ended the British rule totally.
A written Constitution was framed, and a federal, democratic republican government
was set up.
The new govt gave all rights of freedom of speech, religion and justice to all citizens.
A President was elected to govern the country according to the laws of the Constitution.
In 1789, George Washington was elected the 1st President of USA.
Main events:
1. Stamp Act: Britain passed the Stamp Act, imposing a tax on legal documents,
newspapers, even playing cards. This is the first direct tax on the American colonists and
was hotly resisted. A successful American campaign to have the act repealed gave
Americans confidence that they can avoid future taxes as well.The colonists argued that
the British Parliament had NO right to tax the colonists since they had no representative
in the Parliament. ‘No taxation, without representation’ was the clear message passed
by the colonists.
2. Boston Tea Party: In 1773, British ships had 340 crates of tea in the Boston harbour. A
huge group of colonists threw these crates of tea into the sea –as an angry protest
against the huge taxes imposed on tea. Act of defiance.
3. Appeal to King George III: The colonists’ representatives met King George III in 1774, and
requested him to withdraw all the unjust rules. The King declared war on the colonists
and British troops were sent to Massachusetts to suppress the rebellion.
4. George Washington as commander-in-chief: In April 1775, fighting broke out in
Lexington and concord in which the colonists chose George Washington as their
Commander-in-Chief.
5. Declaration of Independence: In 1776, the representatives met in Philadelphia to sign
the Declaration of Independence -which stated clearly that the colonists had the rights
to be free from the oppressive British and form a government of their own.
The Declaration of Independence proclaimed that:
All men are born equal.
Each one of them has the rights to life and liberty.
6. Signing of Treaty of Paris: The war ended in 1781 with the defeat of the British forces. In
1783, the TREATY OF PARIS was signed between the British government and the
colonists wherein, the British recognized the independence of 13 colonies which came to
be known as the United Nations of America.
