American Revolution: Birth of the USA and Legacy of Liberty
The American Revolution (1774-1783)
Causes of the Revolution
The American Revolution stemmed from growing tensions between Great Britain and its North American colonies. Economic grievances, including restrictive trade policies and taxation without representation, fueled colonial discontent. The colonists had developed their own political systems and resented British interference.
The War for Independence
In 1774, representatives from the thirteen colonies met at the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia, declaring their rights and initiating armed resistance. The British defeat at Lexington in 1775 further spurred the movement for independence. Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, formally declaring the colonies’ separation from Great Britain. The colonists received crucial military support from France and Spain, both eager to weaken Great Britain. Key victories at Saratoga and Yorktown led to the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783, recognizing American independence.
The Constitution of 1787
The Constitution of 1787 established a new federal structure for the newly formed United States. A system of checks and balances divided power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. George Washington became the first president, leading the executive branch. The legislature, composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate, was elected by the people. The Supreme Court ensured that laws and government actions adhered to the Constitution. This groundbreaking document, emphasizing national sovereignty and separation of powers, became a model for other nations, including France.
The French Revolution (1789-1799)
The Origins of the Revolution
France in 1789 faced a societal and economic crisis. The privileged nobility and clergy enjoyed vast wealth and power while the majority of the population struggled under heavy taxation and economic hardship. Rising commodity prices exacerbated existing tensions, leading to widespread resentment against the privileged classes. The French monarchy, under Louis XVI, faced a growing financial deficit, worsened by the privileged classes’ exemption from taxes.
The Meeting of the Estates-General
In 1787, Louis XVI convened the Estates-General, but the privileged classes refused to pay taxes. The financial crisis deepened, forcing the king to summon the Estates-General again in 1789. The bourgeoisie, organized in political clubs and through periodicals, voiced their grievances. The Third Estate, representing the common people, demanded voting by head rather than by Estate, recognizing their majority representation. On July 14, 1789, fueled by rising bread prices and rumors of royal troop deployments, Parisian citizens stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority, marking the beginning of the French Revolution.
The National Assembly and the Declaration of the Rights of Man
The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate, aimed to dismantle the old regime and create a constitution. On August 4, 1789, feudal rights were abolished, ending the privileges of the nobility and clergy. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted on August 26, 1789, proclaimed fundamental freedoms, equality before the law, and the right to property. These actions marked the end of absolutism and the triumph of liberal ideals. The Constitution of 1791 established a constitutional monarchy, recognizing national sovereignty and citizen rights. The legislative power resided in the National Assembly, elected by a limited electorate. France was divided into departments, and municipalities gained importance. However, resistance from the king and privileged classes, along with war against European powers, ultimately led to the abolition of the monarchy and the proclamation of the Republic.