American Independence and the French Revolution

The Birth of the United States

Reasons for Independence

• The English colonists had settled in the 13 colonies of the Atlantic coast.
• Britain set taxes.
• In 1773, Britain attempted to subdue the colonists; the war was inevitable.

Key Historical Facts

• On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed in Philadelphia.
• The North American army, commanded by George Washington, defeated British troops. France and Spain helped the rebels.
• Peace was signed in 1783; the new country was called the United States of America, and its first president was George Washington.

The U.S. Constitution

In 1787, the U.S. Constitution was approved, which still stands today. The political system acquired was a federal republic. In the Constitution, the principles of the Enlightenment were consolidated.

The French Revolution and the Napoleonic Empire

In the late eighteenth century, King Louis XVI of France ruled absolutely. The outbreak of the French Revolution marked the end of his reign.

Causes of the French Revolution

• Economics: Since 1760, the French state went through a financial crisis caused by the Seven Years' War. Economic problems were compounded by state spending. They raised the price of bread to unattainable levels, which caused severe riots.
• Social: Finance ministers of Louis XVI tried to reduce debt, but every attempt at fiscal reform failed.
• Political and Ideological: The ideas of the Enlightenment provided the ideological foundations needed to topple the Old Regime.

Phases of the Revolution

• The National Assembly and Riots (1789): The Third Estate abandoned the Estates-General and represented the National Assembly in order to give France a constitution.
• The Constituent Assembly: The National Assembly turned into a Constituent Assembly since its objective was to develop a constitution. A constitution was established in 1791, which stated that sovereignty resided in the people. The government became a constitutional monarchy and ended absolutism.
• The Republic and the War (1792–1795): The National Convention abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the Republic (1792). One year later, the monarchs were executed. That same year, a new constitution was proclaimed. To control the situation, the regime became a dictatorship; this era was known as the Terror and was led by Robespierre.
• The Directory and the Rise of Napoleon: After the fall of Robespierre, a convention ruled and promulgated a new constitution. The convention ended and was replaced by a Directory supported by the military, including Napoleon Bonaparte. He leveraged his reputation and led a coup in 1799.

The Napoleonic Empire

Napoleon was gaining power, and in 1804, he was crowned Emperor.

• Domestic Affairs: The Civil Code was drawn up, and education was reformed.
• Foreign Policy: His empire stretched across Europe to confront all the European powers.