History Research Paper: American and French Revolution

AMERICAN AND FRENCH REVOLUTION
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The American and French Revolutions shared similar aspects but differed in some differences in terms of the two wars. One of the major differences was in the context of the war with the American Revolution being caused by a majority of Americans expressing their discontent of how the British ruled them. While the American Revolution occurred between 1775 and 1781, the French Revolution took place shortly between 1789 and 1784. However, both the American and French Revolutions aimed at equality and liberty, and both countries were focused on gaining freedom. The two nations have unpopular governments and longed for change through the fight for freedom and a better way of life to gain independence. Whereas the Americans struggled to be free from the rules and taxes imposed on them by the British, the French focused on abolishing the French monarchy and form a better government that people could voice their concerns in society. In “A Leap in the Dark,” John Ferling covers all the major events leading to the American Revolution from 1754 to 1800. These events begin with the beginning of the French and Indian War until the election of Thomas Jefferson. Other common discussions such as the 1760s-1770s imperial crisis, the issues with the Confederation, the struggle for ratification, the Constitutional Convention, and the party contests during the early republic days. The periods in Ferling’s book include the British meddling and taxations that spur the ideas and thoughts of independence and the formation of the constitution and other later development.[John, Ferling, A leap in the dark: The struggle to create the American Republican (New York: Oxford University Press, Inc., 2003), 329]
In 1651, the British government enacted the Navigation Acts that required only English ships to carry goods to England. These laws also required that the North American colonies only export their commodities to England and any foreign goods would be taxed. Following the Navigation Acts were other acts such as the Stamp Act of 1763 and the Sugar At of 1764 that led to the American Revolution. In particular, the Sugar Act required that Americans pay 6 pence per gallon on all imported foreign sugar and molasses and the Stamp Act demanded that printed materials in the colonies be made on stamped paper made in London. These stamped papers had an embossed revenue stamp and this was a direct tax that American colonists had not voted and were not consulted. Such a move angered them and resulted in a revolution. However, as Ferling explains, revolutionaries were always in the minority during the time, making the struggle for independence a “leap in the dark.” Nevertheless, brilliant propaganda by revolutionaries were successful in magnifying the oppressive tyranny of the British government. Besides, the rhetoric of people like Thomas Paine and John Adams made it difficult for the British to win the loyalty of Americans. Ferling features both major and minor participants from both royalist and revolutionary ranks. The author credits the contributions of individuals such as Madison, Hamilton, and Washington in their political careers.[Ferling, 31.] [Ferling, 167]
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