Political, Economic and Social Effects of the American & French Revolutions

Revolutionary Changes — Political, Economic, Social

Political level: The revolutions brought an end to absolutism and promoted a liberal political system founded on respect for citizens and the separation of powers.

Economic level: They marked the end of a primarily agrarian economy and the rise of a new urban and industrial economic model.

Social level: The old three-estate system based on birthright gave way to a new class-based society, with values centered on personal merit measured by wealth. The bourgeoisie became the dominant social group.

American Revolution: Causes, Conflict, Creation and Constitution

Causes of the American Revolution

Causes: Colonial discontent arose because the colonists lacked representation in the British Parliament. They were economically dependent on Great Britain for trade and were forbidden from occupying extensive western territories in the colonies, which were reserved for Great Britain. The spread of Enlightenment ideas led many colonists to view the British government as despotic.

The immediate spark was the imposition of taxes by Great Britain: the Stamp Act (tax on commercial and legal documents) and the Tea Act (a monopoly on the sale of tea). These measures were not accepted by the colonists and provoked protests such as the Boston Tea Party.

Conflict and International Support

Conflict: Military leadership under George Washington, together with the support of France and Spain, was decisive. The Allied forces achieved victory at Yorktown, leading to the Treaty of Versailles that recognized American independence.

Creation of the United States

Creation of the USA: The new nation emphasized characteristics such as equal rights for all people and the rights to liberty, life, and the pursuit of happiness. National sovereignty was established to guarantee these rights.

Constitutional Principles

Constitution: The United States adopted a liberal system: a republic founded on national sovereignty and the separation of powers. These constitutional principles were intended to prevent autocracy and protect individual rights.

French Revolution: Causes, Process, Measures and Government Changes

Causes of the French Revolution

Causes: Ideological and political influences included Enlightenment ideas and the example of the American Revolution. Social factors saw the nobility and clergy lose prestige while the bourgeoisie demanded greater political influence. The peasantry endured heavy taxes and harsh living conditions. Economic crises—food shortages and financial collapse—forced new taxes and exacerbated tensions with privileged classes.

Process: National Constituent Assembly and the Storming of the Bastille

Process: The National Constituent Assembly aimed to write a constitution for France. Fearing that the royal army would dissolve the new assembly, the people stormed the fortress of the Bastille to seize weapons and defend their representatives.

Measures Adopted

Measures:

• Abolition of feudalism: elimination of lords’ privileges.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was written.
• The Constitution of 1791 was drafted.

Legislative Assembly and Political Turmoil

Legislative Assembly: After the National Constituent Assembly (which wrote the constitution) the government transitioned into the Legislative Assembly. A constitutional monarchy was established and new laws were created, but the regime faced serious problems:

• Royal opposition: the king attempted to flee the country and was arrested.
• Exiled nobles conspired from abroad.
• War with Austria and Prussia occurred because those powers supported counterrevolutionaries.
• Internal divisions: the Girondins (moderate revolutionaries) and the Jacobins (radicals) deepened the country's chaos.

Because of these crises the Legislative Assembly was dissolved and a new government was elected.

National Convention and the Republic

National Convention: The Legislative Assembly was replaced by the National Convention following new voting. In the moderate period, the Convention was initially dominated by the Girondins. The Convention abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the republic in 1792. King Louis XVI was tried and executed by guillotine.