Revolutions of the 18th & 19th c Compared

Political Revolutions in the 18th

and 19th

centuries - COMPARED

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Throughout history, what are the reasons that people have rebelled against their own government?

18th and 19th century

American Revolution

French Revolution

Haitian Revolution

Latin American Revolutions

SIMILARITIES in the CAUSES of

REVOLUTIONS

1. The Enlightenment influenced revolutionaries and their governments.

emphasis on reason, natural rights, the individual, and social contract

2. Conflict between social and racial classes.

(except in the American Revolution)

#5 or #14

FrenchSocial

Classes

3. ECONOMIC PROBLEMS

(Except Haiti) Economic problems like inflation, poor harvests, & increased taxation of the lower classes led to rebellion.

Revolutions inspired and/or caused other revolutions.

5. European wars either directly or indirectly led to revolutions

Conflicts between Britain, France, and Spain.

6. Increasing discontent w/ imperial rule in the Americas and Haiti started reform &

revolutionary movements

governments of Britain & France changed policies in their colonies

anger about “lack of freedom” by many levels of society

British (American)

Colonies and France

Compared

Background to the

Revolutions -

Differences

In the North American Colonies

There was a relatively large literate and prosperous middle class in a fluid social class structure (except for slaves).

There were opportunities for the lower classes.

In France

The nobility, clergy, and the peasants were in fixed social classes from Medieval times.

The majority of the population was in the lower classes. Starvation was a real possibility for many.

In the Colonies

There was no Church leader or institution with great wealth or widespread power.

Tradition of representative government (constitutional monarchy) and self-rule.

In France The Catholic

Church was powerful and wealthy.

History of ABSOLUTE RULE.

French National Anthem – La Marseillaise

Let's go children of the fatherland,The day of glory has arrived!Against us tyranny'sBloody flag is raised! (repeat)In the countryside, do you hearThe roaring of these fierce soldiers?They come right to our armsTo slit the throats of our sons, our friends!

Grab your weapons, citizens!Form your batallions!Let us march! Let us march!May their impure bloodWater our fields!

Bolivia’s national anthem

Let us keep the lofty name of our Fatherlandin glorious splendor conserved.And, on its altars, once more we must swear:to die before we would live as slaves!To die before we would live as slaves!To die before we would live as slaves!

Political Revolutions in the

Americas (1776) and

France (1789)

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GAME ON!

In the American Revolution

The Revolution was CONTROLLED by a group of educated and wealthy individuals.

Revolutionaries had discernible goals throughout the conflict.

In the French Revolution

The Revolution’s leaders were split AND changed over time …Different factions & different leaders.

Each group had different goals & the revolution had different phases: change the government, overthrow the government, seize Church power, equalize property, and more.

There was widespread violence.

Storming the Bastille

Reign of Terror

In the American Revolution

The Americans had financial and military assistance from France as they fought British troops.

In the French Revolution

Most European nations declared war on France at some point during the French Revolution.

French National Anthem – La Marseillaise

Let's go children of the fatherland,The day of glory has arrived!Against us tyranny'sBloody flag is raised! (repeat)In the countryside, do you hearThe roaring of these fierce soldiers?They come right to our armsTo slit the throats of our sons, our friends!

Grab your weapons, citizens!Form your batallions!Let us march! Let us march!May their impure bloodWater our fields!

In the American Revolution

The leading General became the President with limited term and limited powers. The U.S. was weak economically and in military.

In the French Revolution

A leading General became a military dictator (with absolute power) and took control of most of W. Europe.

He declared himself the new emperor

British (American)

Colonies and France

Compared

SOME RESULTS

After the American Revolution

Articles of Confederation created a limited government.

The Constitution created the best government EVER.

The new U.S. developed in relative isolation.

After the French Revolution

For decades following the revolution, the French government changed frequently from Republic to Monarchy, with intermittent periods of violence and civil war.

Other European powers made alliances to balance the power of Europe and keep stability (no more revolutions).