Comparison Essay

Comparing the American Revolution and the French Revolution

The causes of both revolutions were similar in that they dealt with economic hardships and desire for political influence. The main difference between the two revolutions was that the result of the American Revolution was a successful, independent republic, while the result of the French Revolution was a republic that did not solve any problems and made things worse.

Both revolutions were caused by economic crisis. After the Seven Years War, Britain was in post-war debt and levied the Stamp Act, Sugar and Molasses Act, and Tea Act on the colonies, which sparked colonial protest and boycotts and and bred dissatisfaction. The Seven Years War also caused economic debt in France. Financial aid to the American Revolution worsened the debt. When the Estates General and the monarch could not create a successful tax levy and bread prices continued to soar, the peasants and urban workers attacked the Bastille.

Another similarity was that both American and French revolutionaries wanted to improve their political status and have a more constitutional government. American colonists wanted political freedom to elected their own government instead of having a monarch rule across the Atlantic Ocean. The French third estate was unsatisfied with their little political influence despite having wealthy and intellectual members. They organized the National Assembly to protect the interests of the third estate, which was the majority of the people, against King Louis XVI. The reason why the ideas of reforming the monarchy was common among both Americans and French was because the Enlightenment brought up ways to improve the government.

Both revolutions led to ill-treatment of loyalists or monarchy supporters. When the American rebels won, they were supposed to return Loyalist land under the Treaty of Paris, but in reality, the Loyalists were so badly treated by the victorious rebels that most of them were exiled to Canada. Many members of the royalists and moderate (Girondist) groups of French society fled France or were killed by the guillotine when the Revolution entered the Reign of terror phase.

One difference was the outcome of the American Revolution created a lasting republic, while the French Revolution created a meager republic followed by a dictatorship. After the colonists won, state and federal governments were set up that had a balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. Although changes in the system occurred, the governments remained a republic. After Louis XVI was killed, the French Republic was created, but it was far from being a republic since Jacobins randomly killed anyone who they suspected as enemy of the Republic. This Republic did not solve any of the economic crisis, nor did the following Directory, which led to Napoleon establishing a military dictatorial empire.

Another difference was that the American Revolution was more organized and war-like than the radical, bloody French Revolution. The American colonists organized the Continental Army and fought with Britain until the Treaty of Paris was reached. The French Revolution began with bloody riots and eventually the Reign of Terror, which was the execution of thousands of innocent people.

The American Revolution drew supporters from other countries, while the French Revolution only made other European nations afraid and against France. Native Americans aided both the colonial and British side, and France allied with America. When the colonists won, Europeans were fascinated with and inspired by the new country. On the other hand, European countries such as Austria and Prussia threatened to stop the revolutionaries and help the French monarch when the Revolution began to get radical. The reason why other countries helped the American Revolution but not the French was that the Americans fought for the glorified idea of independence and democracy, and their methods were stately. European states were appalled at the aimless mass killing of people by the Jacobins and allied against France in case its radical methods spread to their countries.

Art in the Ottoman and Mughal Empires

Ottoman Empire Art

Ottoman art was influenced by Seljuk, Byzantine, Persian, and Mamluk cultures. Mosques had vast inner spaces surmounted by massive domes, corner minarets, columns, and a constrast between light and shadow. Kulliyes, a complex of buildings centered around a mosque, was another characteristic. Ottoman architecture remained uniform over time. The Hagia Sophia church and the Selimiye Mosque in Edirne are some of the most important models for Ottoman mosques. Miniature paintings, influenced by Persian, Byzantine, and Chinese art, were often in shades of bright red, green, and blue. A key feature in Ottoman art was the use of abstract topics as opposed to human figures. Carpet weaving, jewelry making, paper marbling, Iznik ware ceramics were also created in the Ottoman Empire. Carpets, often made of silk and cotton, were used on both floors and wall/ door hangings. Hereke silk carpets were the most valued of all Ottoman carpets. 

Mughal Empire Art

Mughal art styles borrowed from the Renaissance and Persian/ Indian sources. Massive and lavish monuments and palaces were built by Muslim emperors such as Humayun's Tomb. During the golden age of Mughal art, many splendid monuments such as the Pearl Mosque, the Red Fort, and Taj Mahal were erected. The famous Taj Mahal, known for its symmetry, had large, white marble stands with an arch shaped doorway topped by a large dome and finial. Mughal paintings borrowed individual and naturalistic motifs of the Renaissance and Mannerist styles, but also Indian and Persian traditions. Miniature paintings that depicted scenes of court life, wildlife, hunting, and battles were common in classic works of Persian and Indian texts.

HBD to the Magna Carta

Back in thirteenth century England, there was rising tension between the dictator-like King John and the barons. First of all, John expelled monks in Canterbury, so the pope excommunicated. On top of that, barons were talking bad of him via Shakespeare since they were being suppressed; they could not celebrate mass, so many fled to neighboring countries. These countries conspired against England. Thus, King John was forced to surrender to the barons and the pope and signed the Magna Carta. During that time period, the Magna Carta was nothing special. In fact, it was a failure since no king in his right mind conformed to its terms of giving the barons right to seize all the king's possession if he broke any of the other laws. When John broke the Magna Carta's terms, French king Louis came to England under the support of the barons to take the throne. In the end, John died. His son Henry had a regent, William Marshal, who reissued the Charter to become the monarchy's most powerful weapon. Centuries later, the Magna Carta was once again revived by Edward Coke, a parliamentarian during the English Civil War. 

1. OMG what was the king's hostage doing to her son??!!??!

SHE WAS EATING HIM OMG EW!

2. At the time, what was England's relationship with its neighbors? Not very good at all; France, Wales, Scotland, and Rome all conspired to overthrow the monarchy in England. Also, King John alienated the papacy. 

3. Why did King John agree to the Magna Carta? He was faced with the threat of invasion by those countries in #2 because of all the baron's complaints and dissatisfaction.

4. What was the impact of the Magna Carta at the time? It was nothing new and pretty much a failure. 

5. How did later kings use the charter to their advantage? When John died, his son's regent William Marshal defeated the rebels by reissuing the Charter that turned it from weakening king into monarchy's most powerful weapon. 

6. How did Edward Coke revive the importance of the charter? He was a leader of the parliamentaries during the English Civil War and revived the charter by using it against King James I and as the basis of the Petition of Right. 

7. How did American colonial leaders use the Magna Carta? The colonists were inspired by Coke and valued the Magna Carta in creating their government. So, they used the Magna Carta as inspiration of the right of freedom during the American Revolution against Britain. 

8. Why is the Magna Carta more important to modern Americans     

than to the British? The constitutional framework of America is taken from the core concepts of the Magna Carta and is embedded in the perception of justice and law of Americans.