American and French Revolutions: Causes and Key Events

Posted on Dec 16, 2024 in History

The Wealth of Nations and Colonial Independence

“Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations” suggests the economy should be managed privately, regulated by supply and demand.

The 13 colonies were founded by the English on North America’s Atlantic coast up to the Appalachian Mountains in the 16th century.
The colonies were independent of each other, linked only by their allegiance to England.
The first inhabitants were Puritans.
Some settlers were individuals who had their jail sentences commuted to freedom in America.
Initially, there was a good relationship between the colonies and England.
8 of the 13 colonies focused on trade, while the other 5 were devoted to agriculture (producing cotton, snuff, and rice).
The settlers were economically dependent on England.
The Navigation Act mandated that goods be transported only on English ships and sold only to England.
England allowed some colonies to choose their own governors.

In 1773, the English king increased taxes, which the colonies opposed.
Benjamin Franklin proposed lower taxes, but the settlers remained dissatisfied.
The first acts of rebellion began in the port of Boston.
Colonial merchants formed non-importation leagues.
In July 1774, the colonies held a conference in Philadelphia, demanding the right to set their own taxes.

The Second Philadelphia Council agreed to declare independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson.
On July 4, the U.S. declared itself independent, adopting a flag with 13 red stripes and 13 white stars.
The U.S. was organized as a democratic federal state with a 4-year presidential term, a bicameral legislature (Senate with 2 representatives per state), and a judiciary.
The Declaration of Independence stated:
- All men are equal before the law.
- Men have inalienable rights.
- The government must ensure these rights.
- The government derives its power from the people.
- The people have the right to revolt against a failing government.

The settlers formed an army led by George Washington.
French individuals supported the settlers.
Beaunarchais was among the first French supporters (1777).
In 1778, France and Spain signed a treaty of alliance to support the patriots.
The British were defeated at the Battle of Yorktown in 1781.
The Treaty of Paris in 1782 recognized U.S. independence.
The Treaty of Versailles in 1783 saw France recover Louisiana, St. Lucia, Tobago, and Senegal, while Spain recovered Minorca and Florida.
The 1787 Constitution established national sovereignty and a democratic government.
This was the first decolonized territory, setting an example for other colonies.

The French Revolution began on July 14, 1789.
France was ruled by Louis XVI, an absolute monarch.
France was a poor and outdated European country with a large population (26 million).
Society was divided into three estates: nobility, clergy (both untaxed), and the common people (including the bourgeoisie).
The bourgeoisie sought political power, leading to the revolution.
Louis XVI’s finance minister, Calonne, proposed a tax reform to address the economic crisis, but it was rejected by the Assembly of Notables.

In 1789, the king called the Estates-General (300 representatives from each estate).
The third estate demanded voting per person, which the king refused.
The third estate formed a separate National Assembly.

National Assembly (1789): Representatives of the commons, some nobles, and clergy vowed not to separate until France had a constitution.
Constituent Assembly: Aimed to create a constitution, establishing national sovereignty and separation of powers. Limited suffrage was established.
Legislative Assembly: The king’s attempted escape led to accusations of treason. Political groups emerged: Girondins (moderate) and Jacobins (extremist). Austria declared war in 1792.
The Convention: Established the republic. A revolutionary tribunal and a public health committee were formed under the Jacobin Maximilian Robespierre. Louis XVI was executed for treason in 1793, followed by Marie Antoinette in 1794.
The Directory: The executive branch was led by 5 directors, and the legislature was a bicameral parliament.