Revolutions of the 19th Century

Michael Henry

Review Chapter 17 of your textbook The Worlds of the Fifteenth Century to respond to the questions that follow. Submit your responses to me as a Word document via e-mail no later than 4 PM on October 8.

1. Explain at least three ways that the French Revolution differed from the American Revolution.

One way that the French Revolution differed from the American Revolution was that the American Revolution was a revolt of colonies against an overseas king, while the French Revolution was a revolt of the lower classes within their own country. England had to send troops and supplies overseas while the French government attempted, but failed, to squash a revolution in their own country.

Another difference between the two revolutions was that the leaders of the American Revolution sought to restore or build upon earlier freedoms, while the leaders of the French Revolution perceived themselves to be starting from scratch and looked to the future. The American colonies wanted to become independent from Great Britain and sought to incorporate the ideas previously created during the Enlightenment into the governing philosophy of their new nation. On the other hand, the French Revolutionaries wanted to completely eradicate the old order of their country and even went so far as to create a new calendar with the year 1 starting in 1792.

A third difference was that the American Revolution was not as violent as the French Revolution. French Revolutionaries (after storming the Bastille to start the Revolution) would execute any supporters of the king via the guillotine, whereas American

Revolutionaries were never violent per say towards Brits or supporters of the monarchy outside of warfare. The American colonists never brought any high-ranking British officials to the guillotine; however, the French revolutionaries beheaded tens of thousands of officials and other people that were deemed enemies of the revolution.

2. Explain the key social, political, and economic outcomes of the Haitian Revolution.

* Social: In the only completely successful revolt in recorded history, the former slaves of Haiti became equal, free, and independent citizens. The newly established leadership of Haiti declared all citizens legally equal regardless of race, color, or class.

* Political: The people of Haiti were able to destroy the hold that the French had over them. By doing so, they became the second independent republic in the Americas and the first non-European state to emerge from Western colonialism. Internal division of race and class, and continued external opposition would eventually lead to Haiti's authoritarian and unstable politics.

* Economic: The plantation system, which had long defined the economy of Haiti, was mostly destroyed. As prominent white people were killed or fled the country, both private and state lands were redistributed among former slaves and free blacks. Because of this, Haiti became a nation of small-scale farmers producing mostly for their own needs, with a much smaller export sector. Internal division of race and class, and continued