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Comparison: French and American Revolutions and their Legacies

Comparison: French and American Revolutions and their Legacies. AP World History West Hills High School. Basic Differences. French Revolution wanted to change everything - Government, Social Structure, Economy, Religion

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Comparison: French and American Revolutions and their Legacies

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  1. Comparison: French and American Revolutions and their Legacies AP World History West Hills High School

  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

  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?

  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

  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

  6. Course of the French Revolution • Phase 1 (Moderate): National Assembly (1789-91) • Meeting of the Estates General • Tennis Court Oath • Storming of the Bastille • Declaration of Rights of Man • Constitution of 1791

  7. Course • Phase 2 (Radical): National Assembly(1792-1794) • War with Austria, Prussia, and Britain • Second Revolution • Reign of Terror

  8. Course of the French Revolution • Phase 3: The Directory (1795-99) • Directory Established • Military success • Napoleon Takes Control • Military genius, conquers much of Europe • Makes peace within France • Finally defeated at Waterloo

  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

  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

  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

  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

  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)

  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

  15. Question • In 4-5 sentences, answer the following constructed response. • According to the power point, what were the three problems with the French Revolution? Which one do you feel is the most important? Why?

  16. Teacher Example Paragraph • The French Revolution had both positive and negative outcomes. The three problems with the French Revolution are: no stable government, the execution of King Louis XVI during the Reign of Terror, and people were desperate for stability which pushed them to support Napoleon. A lack of stable government is the most important problem of the French Revolution because without a stable government it does not matter what the people accomplish. If there is not a government in place to continue the changes, things will go back to the way they were.

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