North American Independence Movement and French Revolution

North American Independence Movement and French Revolution

Homework Questions

• What patterns and connections can be made between the two events? (ex. What might have happened in France had the North American Independence Movement failed?) Was there a direct link and could this be the reason the two are grouped together?
• Analyze the historiography of the section on the “American” and French Revolutions in both the Bentley and the Strayer. What are their similarities and differences? Which author do you most agree with in his description and analysis of events? Why?

The boisterous sea of liberty is never without a wave.

- Thomas Jefferson

Homework Questions

Effects

NAIM

• Foundation of a new nation and the commerce and conflict that followed.
• "With the extension of civil rights, American society broadened the implications of the Enlightenment values of freedom and quality as well as popular sovereignty" (Bentley 812)

French Revolution

• "In terms of gender roles, the French Revolution did not create a new society, but it did raise the question of female political equality far more explicitly than the American Revolution had done" (Strayer 789)

• "Streets got new names; monuments to the royal family were destroyed, titles vanished; people referred to one another 'citizen so-and-so" (Strayer 790)

• Do you think the American Revolution was in fact a revolution or do you agree more with the name North American Independence Movement? Why?
• Compare and contrast the methods of the two revolutions. Which was more violent, which was more organized, which was more effective, which was more united, etc. and why?

• Emergence of "real politics"

Effects continued (both)

• promoted ideals of freedom, equality, and popular sovereignty throughout Europe and the Americas
• inspired revolutionary movements in the Caribbean and South America

Effects continued (both)

• people began to see themselves as belonging to a nation = rise of nationalism and national communities
• inspired oppressed peoples such as women and slaves to fight for their rights
• "the American and French revolutions also prompted political and social theorists to crystallize the modern ideologies of conservatism and liberalism" (Bentley 824)
• Continued influence on independence (India and Vietnam especially concerning DOI's)

When dictatorship is a fact, revolution becomes a right. - Victor Hugo

Key Players

• King George III : king of England during NAIM. Declared colonists in rebellion.
• British Parliament : Enacted taxes on colonies and organized war
• General Charles Cornwallis : general and head of British forces during war, surrendered to Washington at Yorktown
• John Adams : supported colonial separation from England, helped write the DOI and participated in the Peace of Paris
• Thomas Jefferson : wrote most of the DOI
• Benjamin Franklin : helped write DOI and negotiated end to war
• General George Washington : general and head of the United States forces during war
• Marquis de Lafayette : Frenchman and general during war, negotiated French support

French Revolution

• Louis XVI - king of France 1774-93, his neglect towards the commoners sparked the French Revolution, beheaded as traitor
• Marie-Antoinette - queen of France, hated for her her luxurious money-consuming lifestyle, beheaded
• Bourgeoisie : Middle class French people who were mostly merchants and artisans, those who most supported the revolution
• Different ideological parties: Girondins, Jacobins etc
• Maximilien Robespierre- he led the Reign of Terror and established the Committee of Public Safety; he was executed himself as a result of the Reign of Terror by the Directory
• Marquis de Lafayette - Organized the National Guard, left revolution when it became too radical

North American

Independence Movement

Origins

Timeline

Origins

• tensions between Britain and her North American colonies as a result of numerous taxes implemented on the colonies to pay off debt from the Seven Year's War (ex. Boston Massacre)
• influences from Enlightenment ideas over natural rights, rights of the governed, etc. (John Locke's Social Contract)

Oct. 1781: G.B. surrenders to U.S. at Yorktown, V.A. (afraid of U.S./France alliance )

1764-1773:

Parliamentary legislation imposes taxes on everyday items (Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Tea Act) and passed Quartering Act

• Louis XVI's incompetence as king
• poor economy in part due to France's aid in NAIM and bad winter
• high taxes reaped on the peasants and commoners
• rise of bread prices --> starvation
• Estates General and Third Estate upset

Timeline

1789

Late 17th - Early 18th centuries: Age of Enlightenment

4 July 1776:

Adoption of The Declaration of Independence

1774:

Continental Congress

• Reign of Terror begins, led by Robespierre, and the Jacobins

• Napoleon Bonaparte - a French general who rose in power beginning in 1798, he led several military campaigns that demonstrated French domination in Europe, declared himself emperor of France

• rise of the Directory, a conservative group who were against the Convention
• a young Napoleon defends Directory against uprising

• Meeting of the Estates General where Third Estate demanded reform
• Tennis Court Oath = National Assembly and Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
• Storming of Bastille

• Napoleon declares himself emperor

• execution of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

1607:

1st Colony - Jamestown

1773:

Boston Tea Party

1775:

Battle of Lexington

1756-1763: Seven Years' War

1804

1795

1793

->1780:

Series of battles between United States and Great Britain

Sept. 1783: Peace of Paris: British Gov't formally recognizes U.S.A.

1798-1799

1794

1792

• Rise of Napoleon through military defeats throughout Europe and election as first consul of Directory

• The Convention, which replaced the National Assembly makes France a Republic

• Convention arrests Robespierre and his allies for crimes of tyranny and sent them to the guillotine