French and American Revolution

Both the French and American Revolutions are based on Enlightenment ideas

The American Revolution created the independent United States of America, a country that became the epitome of modern democracy

The French Revolution, partially inspired by the American Revolution, inspired the rise of nationalism and the formation of nation-states in Europe

The American War for Independence

In 1776, 13 English Colonies along the Eastern Coast of the New World (America) declared independence from the British empire

7 years later, the Treaty of Paris was signed declaring the United States a free and sovereign country

Background: THE FORMATION OF AMERICAN COLONIESWhy did settlements in the Americas

become attractive to European citizens in the 15th century?

What benefits did they get from the American colonies?

Background: THE FORMATION OF AMERICAN COLONIES• the colonies were home to diverse

religions and ethnic groups• social distinctions were more blurred than

in Europe• There was a good deal of political

discussions• Colonists felt entitled to the rights of the

English citizens• Colonists shared respect of individual

enterprise and a growing self-confidence

The Thirteen Colonies

What was the French and Indian War? What were its effects to Britain, to American colonists, and to Indians?

Explain the following policies:

Hat ActIron ActStamp ActTownshend ActTea Act

What was the significance of the Boston Massacre to the American War of Independence?

•What was the Intolerable Acts?•What is the Continental Congress?

What were the CAUSES and EFFECTS of the American Revolution?CAUSESUnfair taxesBoston MassacreEnlightenment ideasSense of identity

(among the American colonists)

EFFECTSDeclaration of

IndependenceCreation of a free

Republic Bill of Rights and

ConstitutionInfluenced the French

Revolution

The French Revolution

From the Middle Ages, France had one of the strongest monarchies in Europe

However, the system of inequality brought about deep public discontentFrance’s

absolute monarchy was eventually replaced by a republic

The Revolution’s final stage is the Napoleonic Era

What are the three Estates?What are the concerns of each estate that led

to the calling of the Estates General?

What were the causes of France’s financial crisis?

What was the motto of the French Revolution?

What was the significance of the storming of Bastille?

What political changes were brought about by the French Revolution (immediate, mid-term, long term)?

What were the four stages of the French Revolution?

Declaration of rights

Louis XVIMarie Antoinette

Sans Cullotes

JacobinsRobespierre

Napoleon Buonaparte

Long term causes-Corrupt, inconsistent, and insensitive leadership

- prosperous members of the Third Estate resent the First and Second Estate

- Enlightenment IdeasImmediate causes

-Huge government debt, poor harvest and rising price of bread; Failure of king to bring financial reform

- Forming of National Assembly; Storming of Bastille

Immediate Effects-France adopts the first written constitution; French feudalism

ends- Declaration of the Rights of Men and Citizens; Monarchy

abolished- Revolutionary France fights coalition of European powers;

Reign of TerrorLong term effects

-Napoleon gains power-Napoleonic Code established

-French conquests sparks Nationalism; French public schools set up