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French and American Revolutions Compared Essay

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French RevolutionAmerican Revolution
Origins of RevolutionThe French Revolution began to develop in response to economic problems observed in the state because of the outcomes of the agricultural crisis of 1788-1789. Food shortages were observed, and Louis XVI asked the clergy and people to collaborate in overcoming the financial crisis.1The public discontent caused the conflicts later discussed by influential figures of the Enlightenment who could impact people’s visions. It was possible to observe the struggle between aristocracy and the bourgeoisie as a newly formed middle class.2The unrest in society with a focus on accentuating the drawbacks of monarchy and a clerical elite
was actively discussed by the representatives of the Enlightenment.		The American Revolution started as a response of the colonies to taxes and new strict laws imposed on them by the British Empire. People in colonies began to unite while organizing active protests against British laws. Revolutions were similar in both nations’ protests against the monarchy and focused on promoting the ideals of democracy and freedom. However, in contrast to the French, Americans did not struggle against the church but used its impact on the public for their purposes.3
Markoff v. WoodIn his work, John Markoff focused on discussing the French Revolution from the perspective of changing the order from the feudal one to a new variant. He accentuated the role of peasants in this process in contrast to the traditional interest in the bourgeoisie and their influence. Thus, according to Markoff, the outcomes of the French Revolution depend on the achievements of peasants and legislators in their interaction. Therefore, following Markoff’s ideas, it is possible to state that the abolition of feudalism was one of the most important outcomes of the Revolution, and the whole transformation in society should be discussed from this particular perspective. As a result, Markoff’s views seem to oppose the traditional discussion of the Revolution and allow for paying attention to social changes as critical in this process.Gordon Wood developed an unusual position regarding the American Revolution when accentuating its radical impact on the society in the country. According to Wood, there were no such influential changes in society as they were in France, concerning abolishing feudalism. However, the author stated that people changed their thinking and interactions based on the ideas of democracy. The observed social change was crucial, and it was associated with the further segmentation of the society into the elite and other classes. In addition, in his work, Wood also discussed the process of creating middle-class egalitarianism influencing the development of society in the United States.
OutcomesThe outcomes of the French Revolution included remarkable changes in the power distribution in the state. It is important to note that the bourgeois class gained much power in the country, and the Revolution seemed to unify the nation. The social portrait of the state changed significantly because of overcoming the effects of feudalism and supporting the achievements of the Enlightenment. On the one hand, some democratic institutions were established in France concerning creating its constitution and adopting elections.4On the other hand, the economic situation was not appropriate, and the Revolution did not address the needs of citizens.Specific outcomes of the American Revolution included significant changes in the political and social lives of Americans as they became free from Britain. Comparing to the outcomes associated with the French Revolution, Americans established a range of democratic institutions and also adopted the constitution. Still, Americans became even more focused on democracy than the French people.5One should note that independence improved the lives of most Americans, but for example, women were still unequal in their rights to men. Therefore, the outcomes of the American Revolution are usually analyzed from several perspectives.
Choose 1 of the categories below:
Leadership––
Economic AspectsThe wars of Louis XIV required many financial resources, and the agricultural crisis preceding the Revolution caused the King to ask the people for help. The economic condition of the state was miserable, and the observed economic instability can be regarded as one of the key causes of the French Revolution.6The problem is that the Revolution required a lot of resources, and it could not lead to improving the situation of ordinary French people.7However, the Revolution led to the development of the bourgeois class that began to actively participate in the redistribution of all available resources.Before the start of the Revolution, those Americans who were merchants faced the necessity of paying increased taxes imposed by the British government. Taxes made trade relations extremely complicated and expensive for Americans. However, the development of the Revolution was not associated with improving the economic situation for Americans as they suffered from the inflation and high prices set for different types of products.8The Revolution ended with proclaiming the ideals of democracy for the American people, but the newly formed nation had significant public debt and needed to cope with the increased prices and the overall economic instability.9
Role of the Enlightenment––

Bibliography

Baker, Hunter. “The Soul of Liberty.” Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity 25, no. 3 (May/June 2012): 36-43.

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Goldstone, Jack A. Revolutions: Theoretical, Comparative, and Historical Studies. 3rd ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2003.

Jones, Gareth Stedman. “An End to Poverty: The French Revolution and the Promise of a World Beyond Want.” Historical Research 78, no. 200 (May 2005): 193-207.

Perovic, Sanja. “Other People’s Lives: Exemplary History and the French Revolution.” Literature & History 21, no. 2 (Autumn 2012): 16-31.

Ziesche, Philipp. “Exporting American Revolutions: Gouverneur Morris, Thomas Jefferson, and the National Struggle for Universal Rights in Revolutionary France.” Journal of the Early Republic 26, no. 3 (Fall 2006): 419-447.

Footnotes

  1. Hunter Baker, “The Soul of Liberty,” Touchstone: A Journal of Mere Christianity 25, no. 3 (May/June 2012): 37.
  2. Gareth Stedman Jones, “An End to Poverty: The French Revolution and the Promise of a World Beyond Want,” Historical Research 78, no. 200 (May 2005): 193-195.
  3. Baker, “The Soul of Liberty,” 39-41.
  4. Sanja Perovic, “Other People’s Lives: Exemplary History and the French Revolution,” Literature & History 21, no. 2 (Autumn 2012): 16-18.
  5. Jack A. Goldstone, Revolutions: Theoretical, Comparative, and Historical Studies, 3rd ed. (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 2003), 85-105.
  6. Baker, 37-38.
  7. Perovic, “Other People’s Lives,” 16-18.
  8. Philipp Ziesche, “Exporting American Revolutions: Gouverneur Morris, Thomas Jefferson, and the National Struggle for Universal Rights in Revolutionary France,” Journal of the Early Republic 26, no. 3 (Fall 2006): 419-422.
  9. Web.
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