Comparing Revolutions

The assignment content discusses the origins and fallout of the French, American, and Haitian Revolutions. The French Revolution originated from the mismatch between economic and intellectual development and social and political changes in France, leading to destruction of feudalism and ultimately, the rise of the bourgeoisie. The American Revolution began as a conflict between colonialists and the British crown, with support from France, resulting in the independence of the United States but also leaving it open to attacks. The Haitian Revolution was an anti-slavery and anti-colonial movement that sought to overthrow slavery and colonial rule, ultimately leading to the creation of a new nation but also facing social and political instability.

French, American and Haitian Revolution 1
What was the origin and fallout of the French, American, and Haitian Revolutions?
Origin of French Revolution
There was no match between the economic and intellectual development of France and its
social and political changes. Thus, it became difficult to commensurate social and political
influence in the country. Absolute monarchy was consolidated by King Louis XIV (Doyle,
1980). This led to destruction of the roots of feudalism. The feudal forms that still existed
became a burden. The tax was very high on the productive classes and the privileged groups
like the nobility and the clergy governed the country. Feudal dues were levied on the peasants
and the small landlords which was unacceptable for them. There were food shortages in the
country because the agricultural methods were backward and there were barriers related to
the internal tariff in the country. Apart from this, the church and absolutism was attacked by
the Voltaire. Then, the chaotic state of the government finance was a direct origin of the
revolution in France.
Fallout of French Revolution
The French revolution failed in 1799 and got nullified by 1815. But the results of the
revolution were far reaching. The power came in the hands of bourgeois and the landowning
classes. They controlled all the people. The death of Feudalism happened. The Code
Napoleon consolidated the entire social and the contractual relations in the country (Outram,
D., & Schiebinger, 1991). Though France was unified and the power of national state got
enhanced but the ancient structures of Europe were tore down by the Revolutionary and
Napoleonic Wars.

French, American and Haitian Revolution 2
Origin of American Revolution
The revolution originated from the conflict that was created due to the growing tensions
between the people who lived in the 13vNorth American colonies in the Great Britain and the
colonial government that was the representative of the British crown. Skirmishes between
British troops and colonial militiamen in Lexington and Concord in April 1775 kicked off the
armed conflict, and by the following summer, the rebels were waging a full-scale war for
their independence (). In 1778 (Bailyn, 2012). The entry of France happened who were on
the colonialist side and with the support of France, the British surrendered at Yorktown.
Fallout of American Revolution
The collapse of France happened and led to French revolution as the country was heavily
burdened with debt. America also had nothing to defend them and they were open to attacks.
Most of the people in America were farmers and they did not have any navy or army for
themselves. The UK faced continuous humiliations and they wanted to take revenge.so, the
America’s trading vessels were raided and high tariffs were imposed on the American ships
(Wood, 2011). This further deteriorated the condition of the people in America. The economy
of America was hurt to the extreme when the Britain refused to sell their goods in the
country.

French, American and Haitian Revolution 3
Origin of Haitian Revolution
This began in 1791 and continued till 1804. It took place in the former colony of France and
it was an anti-slavery and anti-colonial revolution. The institution of slavery was affected
throughout the America with this revolution. It originated due to the immense slavery and the
ruling of the whites. There was no state that was free from slavery and the non-whites had no
rights, authorities or the freedom to live (Geggus, 2001). It was also due to the racism that
was spread in many parts of the world. The people had long held beliefs about the inferiority
of blacks that had to be broken somehow. The enslaved people had to be put in the capacity
for achieving and maintaining the freedom. The people owned the slaves and frightened the
people. So, all this led to Haitian Revolution that aimed to fight for the freedom of people
from slaves, destroy the practice of racism and bring down the colonial power.
Fallout of Haitian Revolution
This was successful to a great extent in creating a new nation, but dangerous social
repercussions were faced by the Haiti and the Dominican Republic. People started expressing
pride in their Africanism but the people with the light skin were still idolised. The Dominican
Republic did not trust the Haitian people and the people developed a psychological complex
regarding racism and colour (Geggus, 2001). They were not able to identify themselves as
human beings; they were still seen as blacks and whites. Western powers started to enter the
country and the profits were driven to them when they started establishing their business
here. The region also suffered from huge social and political instability.

French, American and Haitian Revolution 4
References:
Bailyn, B. (2012). The ideological origins of the American Revolution. Harvard University
Press.
Doyle, W. (1980). Origins of the French revolution (Vol. 24). Oxford: Oxford University
Press.
Geggus, D. P. (2001). The impact of the Haitian Revolution in the Atlantic world. Reaktion
Books.
Outram, D., & Schiebinger, L. (1991). The body and the French Revolution: sex, class, and
political culture.
Wood, G. S. (2011). The radicalism of the American Revolution. Vintage.