The Difference Between American and French Revolutions

There are many similarities and differences between the American and the French Revolutions. The American Revolution started because Great Britain put taxes on America and they were trying to break free from that. Great Britain was also influenced by enlightenment. The cause of the French Revolution was a result of conflict between the Monarchy and the nobility over the “reform” of the tax system. The French was inspired by the American revolution and just wanted to permanently end French monarchy.

During the French revolution Louis XVI’s own cousin voted in favor of the execution. Even though he was more liberal that the rest of his family he was still beheaded. The similarities of the French Revolution and the American revolution was both sought a change for their government and economic conditions. The British imposed taxes on America and they were trying to break free from that. Economic problems for the French political economy of the was tragic. Nothing was produced or sold, imported or exported, without government approval and regulation. Since both America and the French were unhappy with their government and economic state a Revolution had begun.

The American revolution didn’t have the reign of terror. One of the many differences between the American and French Revolutions is that, unlike the French, Americans did not fight for an abstraction. Both revolutions started in the same way and were fighting for the same thing both ended a different way. Both wars might have been caused by the same motives, but they were caused by different people. One war was caused by people all of a different class but obviously led by the upper-class. The other was caused by lower-class. The upper class and middle class of the French were very privileged. The Third Estate’s bitter feelings and resentment towards the other two Estates was escalating causing the Revolution. The American revolution was a result of the American population becoming dissatisfied with the way the British were ruling them.

One of the most important documents to during the French Revolution was the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen” written by the Marquis de Lafayette in 1789. In the American Revolution, the Treaty of Paris was the peace agreement that ended the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen is important because it explains a list of rights, such as freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and separation of powers. The Treaty of Paris is important because it ended the revolution and recognized American independence. Without the Treaty of Paris, the American Revolution would’ve probably continued.

Overall the American Revolution might have been unquestionably more effective. The French revolution improved a great significance. Both revolutions mostly got what they asked for. The governments and economic stability may have improved as well.

Works Cited

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