Compare and Contrast French and American Revolutions

Tyler Arnold

January 20, 2016

APWH

Mr. Powers

Compare and Contrast French and American Revolutions

        Similar to the American Civil War, the American and French Revolutions were fought to break away from power. Although the Civil War and American Revolution were very similar, because both were fought in America and were both fought to gain independence, the American Revolution and French Revolution were not that different. The American and French Revolution can be compared easily, because both were fighting for independence from their rulers and they both won what they wanted. Although, they can be contrasted too, because they gained what they wanted in different ways.

        The American and French revolutions were both caused by similar problems. Both had to deal with issues of taxation. For the American Revolution, they were being given multiple harsh taxes from the British government. The French, after fighting in the Seven Years War, were in deep, deep debt. They wanted to raise royal revenue that would force the nobility and clergy to start paying taxes. This proposal was rejected though. Therefore, commomners started to revolt. The other difference between the two causes, is that in the American revolution, the people felt that there was a lack of their voice in the Parliment.

        The courses that took place were quite different. The U.S. used military forces against great Britain to get what they wanted. When the Americans could not get the British to stop taxing them without the consent from their elected representatives, they went into battle feild and won. The enlightenment also led the U.S. to freedom of expression such as religious expression, because America fought for their traditional rights not a social order. On the other hand, in France, the revolution was bloody, because of all the executions of the old regime, the church, and its own rulers. The enlightenment led France to having ideas that were harmfully anti-clerical, because they tried to fight for equality by forcing the state.

        The consequences from the American and French revolution were the same in the fact that they came out of the revolution new and refreshed. America really benefitted from the American Revolution. It became the United States, England lost colonies in America, it made France go bankrupt, and America became a democratic federal republic. France benefitted too, the monarchy was removed from power, the rulers were executed, the ideas of three estates and noble and chruch privledges were abolished, and chruch lands were nationalized and sold. Therefore, both really benefitted from the revolutions and got what they wanted.