Question

1. read textbook pp. 394-399
2. graded: (to be written/typed):

a. in what ways was the french revolution a more profound and transformative upheaval than its north american counterpart?
b. what were the major causes of the french revolution? how were they similar to/different from the american revolution?

Explanation:

Part a

1. Social and Political Change Depth: The French Revolution aimed to completely restructure the social and political order. It abolished the monarchy, feudalism, and the old aristocratic and clerical privileges, while the American Revolution was more about achieving independence from British rule and establishing a new nation - state, with less radical social transformation (the social hierarchy with a gentry class remained relatively intact).
2. Ideological Impact: The French Revolution spread ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity more widely across Europe and the world. Its Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen had a broader and more radical ideological reach compared to the American Declaration of Independence, which was more focused on the rights of the colonists against British rule.
3. Class - Based Upheaval: It was a more class - driven revolution. The Third Estate (commoners) led the charge against the First (clergy) and Second (nobility) Estates, leading to a more profound reshaping of the class structure. In the American Revolution, while there were class elements, it was more of a colonial - imperial conflict with the British, and the internal class structure was not as fundamentally transformed.
4. Global Influence on Revolutions: The French Revolution inspired later revolutionary movements across Europe (e.g., in 1830, 1848) and in other parts of the world in a way that the American Revolution, while an inspiration, was more of a model for national independence rather than a radical social - political transformation model.

Major Causes of the French Revolution:

1. Economic Crisis: France was in heavy debt due to wars (e.g., Seven Years' War, American Revolution support) and royal extravagance. High taxes on the Third Estate, food shortages (especially bread), and a regressive tax system (First and Second Estates were tax - exempt) led to economic hardship and resentment.
2. Social Inequality: The rigid social structure (Three Estates) with the First (clergy) and Second (nobility) Estates enjoying privileges (tax exemption, land ownership, political power) while the Third Estate (commoners, 98% of population) bore the tax burden and had little political power.
3. Enlightenment Ideas: Ideas of liberty, equality, popular sovereignty (from thinkers like Rousseau, Locke, Montesquieu) spread, challenging the divine - right monarchy and the old social order.
4. Political Instability: The weak and indecisive rule of Louis XVI, along with the inability of the Estates - General to address the nation's problems (the Third Estate was under - represented and frustrated), led to a breakdown of the old political system.

Similarities with the American Revolution:

1. Enlightenment Influence: Both were influenced by Enlightenment ideas of liberty, equality, and popular sovereignty, which challenged the existing political and social order.
2. Tax - Related Grievances: Both had tax - related issues. In America, colonists resented British taxes without representation; in France, the Third Estate resented unfair taxation (exemption of First/Second Estates).
3. Desire for Political Change: Both sought to change the existing political system - the Americans to gain independence and establish a new republic, the French to overthrow the monarchy and aristocratic rule.

Differences with the American Revolution:

1. Social Structure Target: The American Revolution was mainly against British imperial rule, with less focus on overthrowing an internal social hierarchy (the colonial social structure with gentry remained). The French Revolution targeted the entire internal social order (feudalism, aristocracy, clergy privileges).
2. Economic Causes: The American Revolution's economic issues were more about British trade restrictions and taxation for imperial revenue. The French Revolution's economic crisis was due to internal debt, royal spending, and a regressive domestic tax system.
3. Geographic and Scope: The American Revolution was a colonial - imperial conflict in North America. The French Revolution was a domestic revolution in Europe with a broader continental and global ideological impact.

Answer:

The French Revolution was more profound and transformative as it: 1) Sought to completely overthrow and restructure the old social (feudal, aristocratic - clerical privilege - based) and political (monarchy) order, unlike the American Revolution which was more about independence and less radical social change. 2) Had a broader ideological impact with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen spreading liberty, equality, fraternity ideas widely. 3) Was more class - driven (Third Estate vs First/Second Estates) leading to deeper class structure reshaping. 4) Inspired more global revolutionary movements (e.g., European 1830, 1848 revolts) as a model for radical social - political change.

Part b