1 Comparison: French and American Revolutions and their Legacies

Slide 2 Basic Differences French Revolution wanted to change everything - Government, Social Structure, Economy, Religion American Revolution sought a change in government, but the social system remained intact

Slide 3 American Revolution Most colonists wished to remain members of the British Empire Violation of “Rights of Englishmen” A “war for independence” or a revolution?

Slide 4 American Revolution The British upper class was simply replaced by a new American upper class Lives of others (women, Native Americans, commoners, slaves) changed little. Legacy of American Revolution: created revolutionary constitution that would evolve into its modern form

Slide 5 French Revolution Causes Political - no representation, King Louis XVI weak, inefficient government Economic - Inequitable taxation, economic crisis Religious - Church power corrupt Social - Urban poor, feudalism, rising middle class Intellectual - Enlightenment ideas attacked power of King, Church

Slide 6 Course of the French Revolution Phase 1 (Moderate): National Assembly ( ) Meeting of the Estates General Tennis Court Oath Storming of the Bastille Declaration of Rights of Man Constitution of 1791

Slide 7 Course Phase 2 (Radical): National Assembly ( ) War with Austria, Prussia, and Britain Second Revolution Reign of Terror

Slide 8 Course of the French Revolution Phase 3: The Directory ( ) Directory Established Military success Napoleon Takes Control Military genius, conquers and spreads conflict to much of Europe Makes peace within France Finally defeated at Waterloo Napoleon's navy could not control the seas which made them weak

Slide 9 French Revolution Achievements Ends Feudalism Brings people into politics Begins to secularize Europe Emphasis on tradition lessens – change important to the future Growth of nationalism comes from French idea of “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” Enlightenment idea that everything works rationally takes hold

Slide 10 Problems with the French Revolution No stable government established Execution of the King; then Reign of Terror After Reign of Terror, people desperate for stability and support Napoleon du/courses/rschwart/hist 255/kat_anna/1789.html du/courses/rschwart/hist 255/kat_anna/1789.html

Slide 11 Post-Napoleonic Order Congress of Vienna, 1815 Restore balance of power Prevent further revolutions Restore legitimate rulers Austria, Prussia, Russia, and France crack down on nationalist and liberal movements

Slide 12 Latin America In Haiti a true revolution occurs Other then Haiti, Latin American independence a conservative reaction to liberalism - Creoles afraid of sharing power Emerging countries undemocratic Spain prevented by Britain to regain colonies Conservative: keeping the traditions, morals and values Liberalism: worldview ideas of liberty and equality

Slide 13 French Revolution Legacy Completely breaks fully established, traditional political and social systems Common people from the lower and middle classes want to be part of the political system Course of European history changes, sets the stage for democratic development and other revolutions (i.e. Russian Revolution)

Slide 14 French Revolution Legacy People want complete social and political change, a break from the oppressive absolute monarchs of the time Conservatism vs. Liberalism A new sense of nationalism is born – people are dedicated to the greatness of the nation in a way not really seen before

Important people Jean-Jacques Rousseau His political philosophy influenced the French Revolution as well as the overall development of modern political, sociological, and educational thought. He argued that private property was the start of civilization, inequality, murders and wars.political philosophyFrench Revolution Slide 15

Important People Simon Bolivar was a military and political leader. Bolívar played a key role in Latin America successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire, and is today considered one of the most influential politicians in the history of the Americas. Slide 16

Important people John Locke: Locke's political theory was founded on social contract theory. Locke believed that human nature is characterized by reason and tolerance. Locke believed that human nature allowed men to be selfish. In a natural state all people were equal and independent, and everyone had a natural right to defend his “Life, health, Liberty, or Possessions“. Slide 17

Important people Thomas Hobbes Hobbes developed some of the fundamentals of European liberal thought: the right of the individual; the natural equality of all men; the view that all legitimate political power must be "representative" and based on the consent of the people; and a liberal interpretation of law which leaves people free to do whatever the law does not explicitly forbid Slide 18

Important People Montesquieu Social commentator and political thinker who lived during the Age of Enlightenment. He is famous for his articulation of the theory of separation of powers, which is implemented in many constitutions throughout the world. Slide 19

Important People Voltaire French Enlightenment writer, historian and philosopher famous for his attacks on the established Catholic Church, and his advocacy of freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and separation of church and state. Slide 20

Important People John Calvin An influential French theologian and pastor during the Protestant Reformation. He was a principal figure in the development of the system of Christian theology later called Calvinism. Originally trained as a humanist lawyer, he broke from the Roman Catholic Church around Slide 21

Important People Thomas Jefferson American Founding Father, the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776) and the third President of the United States of America(1801–1809). He was a spokesman for democracy and the rights of man with worldwide influence. Slide 22