Suppose You Are An American Living In France During The Fren

Suppose You Are An American Living In France During The French Revolut

Suppose you are an American living in France during the French Revolution. Write an "email" to a friend or family member in the United States describing events in France. In your letter, clearly explain how the revolution in France is similar to and different from the earlier American Revolution, and use evidence to support your writing. Include a proper greeting and closing and use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. Your letter should address these points: causes, including the role of taxes, ideas of philosophy, goals and objectives, social privilege and social upheaval, form of government.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

Dear Emily,

I hope this letter finds you well. As you know, I have been living here in France during a time of great upheaval—the French Revolution. This historic event is reshaping our world and is quite different from, yet reminiscent of, the American Revolution. I wanted to share with you some insights into what I’ve observed and experienced here, especially comparing it to our own fight for independence a century ago.

Causes of the French Revolution: Taxes and Social Inequality

The French Revolution was primarily caused by widespread discontent with the heavy tax burden placed on the common people, while the clergy and nobility enjoyed privileges and exemptions. The Third Estate, representing commoners, bore the brunt of taxation, which fueled resentment and demands for reform. Similarly, in the American Revolution, unfair taxation—most notably the Stamp Act and Tea Act imposed by Britain—was a key grievance that united colonists against British rule. Both revolutions emerged from economic injustice that stirred social unrest (Doyle, 2001).

Ideas of Philosophy: Enlightenment Influence

The revolutionaries in France and America were deeply influenced by Enlightenment ideals. In France, philosophers like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu promoted liberty, equality, and fraternity, challenging the ancien régime. These ideas inspired the French to seek a government based on reason and natural rights. Similarly, American leaders embraced Enlightenment principles through documents like the Declaration of Independence, emphasizing individual rights and a government accountable to the people (Israel, 2001). The common thread is the desire to replace absolute monarchy with a government rooted in the consent of the governed.

Goals and Objectives

The primary goal of the French Revolution was to overthrow the monarchy, abolish social privileges, and establish rights for the common people. Initially, the revolution aimed for constitutional monarchy before escalating into a republic. In contrast, the American Revolution's main objective was independence from Britain, leading to the creation of a republic based on democratic principles. Both revolutions sought to empower the people, but the French revolution was also driven by a desire to radically transform social structures.

Social Privileges and Upheaval

In France, the ancien régime created stark social divisions—clergy, nobility, and commoners—and the revolution sought to eradicate these privileges. The upheaval was violent and tumultuous, with the Reign of Terror epitomizing the chaos. Conversely, the American Revolution did not fundamentally overthrow social hierarchies, although it established a new government based on republican ideals. Still, social inequality persisted long after independence, unlike the more comprehensive social upheaval in France (Doyle, 2001).

Form of Government

Before the revolution, France was an absolute monarchy with centralized power in the king. During the revolution, France experimented with various forms—constitutional monarchy, republic, and dictatorship—leading to chaos. The American Revolution resulted in the establishment of a constitutional republic with elected representatives and a government based on a written constitution. The American system aimed for stability through codified laws, while France’s revolutionary period was marked by radical shifts and violence.

Conclusion

In summary, the French Revolution and the American Revolution share common roots in Enlightenment ideals and grievances over taxes and social inequality. However, they differ significantly in their goals, scope, and outcomes. The French Revolution sought to completely overhaul social and political structures, often through violent means, whereas our revolution achieved independence and established a republic with less immediate upheaval in social hierarchies. I hope this gives you a clearer picture of what is happening here. Please write back and tell me how things are in the States.

With love,

James

References

• Doyle, W. (2001). The Oxford History of the French Revolution. Oxford University Press.
• Israel, J. (2001). Democratic Enlightenment: Philosophy, Revolution, and Human Rights 1750-1790. Oxford University Press.
• Blanning, T. C. W. (2015). The Pursuit of Glory: Europe 1648–1815. Penguin Books.
• Forrest, A. (1990). A Short History of the French Revolution. W.W. Norton & Company.
• McPhee, P. (2002). Liberty or Death: The French Revolution. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Rosenberg, J. (2012). The French Revolution: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Furet, F. (1988). The French Revolution: 1787–1799. Blackwell Publishing.
• Price, R. (2001). The French Revolution. Routledge.
• Adcock, C. (2000). From Revolution to Reconstruction: France 1789–1815. Longman.
• Gordon, M. (1992). The French Revolution: A Document Collection. Wiley-Blackwell.