French Revolution vs American Revolution
Enormous differences can be found between French Revolution and American Revolution though they are both revolutions where a party rose against another. Both French Revolution and American Revolution were the voices of people crying against the rule of the absolute monarchy that was in place. France was already ruled by its monarch Louis XVI. America was ruled by the British monarchy. The monarch at the time was King George III. Both French and American revolutions were the results of the oppression the people had to suffer in the hands of their rulers. Both French Revolution and American Revolution succeeded in toppling the monarchy. However, only American Revolution was able to sustain the democracy gained by such as vast revolution.
More about French Revolution
The French Revolution took place between 1789 and 1799 AD. It is sometimes called as the Great French Revolution. It took place in the country of France, and the participants in the revolution were mainly from the French society. The chief cause of the French Revolution was that the government of King Louis XVI of France faced a fiscal crisis in the 1780s. As a result, he imposed huge taxes on people who were already tired of huge taxes.
Storming of the Bastille was the main event during French Revolution. Some of the other events of the revolution include women’s march to Versailles, royal flight to Varennes, and the completion of the constitution. French Revolution resulted in the failure of the constitutional monarchy. This resulted in a constitutional crisis as well during this period.
War and counter revolution took place between 1792 and 1797 during French Revolution. A national convention took place between 1792 and 1795 during which Louis XVI was executed. It is important to know that the French Revolution saw the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen in August 1789.
Shift of power took place during the French Revolution. The shift took place from the Roman Catholic Church to the state.
More about American Revolution
On the other hand, the American Revolution took place in the last half of the 18th century. To be exact, this was from 1765 to 1783. Thirteen colonies in North America broke free from the British Empire to form the United States of America. This happened because the British monarchy went on piling taxes on the American people. The people got tired of this oppressive taxing scheme and wanted to be free. Spain, France, Native Americans, and African Americans participated in the American Revolution.
During American Revolution, the Parliament of the Great Britain was summarily rejected. All royal officials were expelled and individual self-governing states were formed and new state constitutions were created. One of the most notable incidents of the American Revolution was the Boston tea party. During this event, patriots threw a whole batch of taxed English tea to the sea at the Boston harbor.
Though American Revolution took a lot of effort to succeed and the people had to fight, the result was much more lasting peace. The Americans were left to govern their own country. No bloody warfare followed at the end of the American Revolution.
What is the difference between French Revolution and American Revolution?
• Period:
• French Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799.
• American Revolution lasted from 1765 to 1783.
• Notable Events:
• The most notable incident of the French Revolution is the storming of Bastille, which marked the start of the French revolution.
• One of the most notable events of the American Revolution is the Boston Tea Party.
• Oppression:
• French society was being oppressed by huge taxes by their king.
• American society was being oppressed by huge taxes from the English Monarchy.
• Participation of Classes:
• For the French Revolution, though the majority class support came from the middle and lower classes, there was the support of the high class as well.
• For the American Revolution, the support of high class was less.
• Resulting Political Systems:
• French Revolution led to the Reign of Terror and then the Napoleonic dictatorship.
• American Revolution led to the longest democracy in the world known as the United States of America.
Images Courtesy: Storming of the Bastille and Boston Tea Party via Wikicommons (Public Domain)
