The American and French Revolutions
A revolution is an upheaval or change in societal governance. This document will cover the
American and French revolutions.
American Revolution: The American Revolution initiates processes that have consequences
for other countries. Columbus discovers America in 1492, and England establishes 13 colonies
along the eastern coast of North America, but France also wants to start colonization.
• The French and Indian War:
The French and Indian War was the conflict between France and Great Britain
regarding territorial rights in America.
For the British colonies, the war led to a closer bond and sense of identity. This was the
period that ignited American patriotism and nationalism, which stood strong together.
This led the Americans to focus on strengthening their freedom, wanting self-
determination, to have their own weapons, etc.
In 1763, France had to cede all its territories in North America to Great Britain, which
emerged victorious.
• Consequences of the War:
After the war, Great Britain began to impose taxes on the 13 colonies in North America.
Great Britain believed that the Americans should start paying taxes as their economies
weakened due to the war.
Americans responded negatively to this, which reignited national feelings and
increased the divide between America and Europe.
• Boston Tea Party:
Conflict escalated between the British and Americans. A group of Americans disguised
as indigenous people sabotaged the British by dumping tea worth thousands of dollars
into the sea as a protest against increased taxes and duties.
Great Britain responded by sending more troops to America.
• Declaration of Independence:
In 1776, the Americans adopted the Declaration of Independence. In this document, the
Americans expressed grievances on several points, such as taxation without
representation.
The document draws inspiration from several philosophers, such as John Locke,
popular sovereignty, and natural rights.
When Great Britain received the declaration, they rejected it, resulting in a war.
• The War of Independence:
The British rejected the declaration, and the war escalated. George Washington led
American troops against the British army.
Americans also received support from France out of revenge for Britain's victory over
France during the colonial conflicts, weakening Britain’s position.
In 1783, the British withdrew, and Americans won their independence. The United
States was then formed after this, transitioning from being a colony to a union.
• 17th Century Europe – Enlightenment Philosophers and Ideas:
The most common form of governance in Europe was absolutism, meaning that those in
, power held all the power, typically a king or emperor. They had a monopoly, meaning
the king or emperor determined everything. The king both made laws and rules and
ruled. The king could also grant immunity from punishment.
The economic system at that time was mercantilism, meaning one country exports
more goods than it imports. This is because they earn more money from exports; the
goal is to run a surplus and earn more money than spent, leading to an economic gain.
Natural Law:
Human rights are based on the idea of natural law, but in the 17th century, only white people
benefited from this natural law. Natural law is the idea that all humans are born with a set of
rights that are inherent and universal, independent of laws made by humans or governments.
State of Nature:
Thomas Hobbes believed that if all humans are born equal and with equal rights, a state of
nature would emerge, leading to conflicts over the rights they deserve. This would result in a
struggle to fight for rights and the right to be free. Hobbes argued that a state was needed to
control the rights and distribution while ensuring that rights are evenly distributed among all.
Hobbes vs. Locke:
Hobbes and Locke disagreed because Hobbes believed that humans are born equal but fight for
their rights due to being finite, and that we possess an emotional side that we cannot control.
Locke, on the other hand, believed that humans are born rational and tolerant; he had more
faith in humanity and that we are rational, stemming from logical reasoning.
• Division of Power in Norway Today:
We have principles of division of power, including the executive, the judiciary, and the
parliament; these concepts originate from the Enlightenment.
We have a constitutional monarchy where the king serves merely as a symbol and holds
no power, unlike an absolute monarchy.
We also have the principle of popular sovereignty, where the power of the state derives
from the people, for the people’s benefit.
• The Enlightenment:
A period characterized by intellectual and philosophical change where human reason
and constitutional governance were at the center.
This period led to the discovery of science and prioritization of knowledge.
The focus on enlightenment, reason, and individualism emerged in Paris.
During this period, there was a greater influence of media that conveyed thoughts and
ideas, as well as a growing interest in knowledge and expanding discussion arenas.
• Consequences of the Enlightenment:
The principle of separation of powers was a consequence of the Enlightenment…
The state would be governed by the people, and the leaders would be accountable to
them.
The state should be constitutional and adhere to the principle of separation of powers,
etc.
The Enlightenment laid the foundation for the American War of Independence and the
French Revolution, events that were based on Enlightenment ideals.
There was an increase in individual human rights and a desire for structure in society.
A revolution is an upheaval or change in societal governance. This document will cover the
American and French revolutions.
American Revolution: The American Revolution initiates processes that have consequences
for other countries. Columbus discovers America in 1492, and England establishes 13 colonies
along the eastern coast of North America, but France also wants to start colonization.
• The French and Indian War:
The French and Indian War was the conflict between France and Great Britain
regarding territorial rights in America.
For the British colonies, the war led to a closer bond and sense of identity. This was the
period that ignited American patriotism and nationalism, which stood strong together.
This led the Americans to focus on strengthening their freedom, wanting self-
determination, to have their own weapons, etc.
In 1763, France had to cede all its territories in North America to Great Britain, which
emerged victorious.
• Consequences of the War:
After the war, Great Britain began to impose taxes on the 13 colonies in North America.
Great Britain believed that the Americans should start paying taxes as their economies
weakened due to the war.
Americans responded negatively to this, which reignited national feelings and
increased the divide between America and Europe.
• Boston Tea Party:
Conflict escalated between the British and Americans. A group of Americans disguised
as indigenous people sabotaged the British by dumping tea worth thousands of dollars
into the sea as a protest against increased taxes and duties.
Great Britain responded by sending more troops to America.
• Declaration of Independence:
In 1776, the Americans adopted the Declaration of Independence. In this document, the
Americans expressed grievances on several points, such as taxation without
representation.
The document draws inspiration from several philosophers, such as John Locke,
popular sovereignty, and natural rights.
When Great Britain received the declaration, they rejected it, resulting in a war.
• The War of Independence:
The British rejected the declaration, and the war escalated. George Washington led
American troops against the British army.
Americans also received support from France out of revenge for Britain's victory over
France during the colonial conflicts, weakening Britain’s position.
In 1783, the British withdrew, and Americans won their independence. The United
States was then formed after this, transitioning from being a colony to a union.
• 17th Century Europe – Enlightenment Philosophers and Ideas:
The most common form of governance in Europe was absolutism, meaning that those in
, power held all the power, typically a king or emperor. They had a monopoly, meaning
the king or emperor determined everything. The king both made laws and rules and
ruled. The king could also grant immunity from punishment.
The economic system at that time was mercantilism, meaning one country exports
more goods than it imports. This is because they earn more money from exports; the
goal is to run a surplus and earn more money than spent, leading to an economic gain.
Natural Law:
Human rights are based on the idea of natural law, but in the 17th century, only white people
benefited from this natural law. Natural law is the idea that all humans are born with a set of
rights that are inherent and universal, independent of laws made by humans or governments.
State of Nature:
Thomas Hobbes believed that if all humans are born equal and with equal rights, a state of
nature would emerge, leading to conflicts over the rights they deserve. This would result in a
struggle to fight for rights and the right to be free. Hobbes argued that a state was needed to
control the rights and distribution while ensuring that rights are evenly distributed among all.
Hobbes vs. Locke:
Hobbes and Locke disagreed because Hobbes believed that humans are born equal but fight for
their rights due to being finite, and that we possess an emotional side that we cannot control.
Locke, on the other hand, believed that humans are born rational and tolerant; he had more
faith in humanity and that we are rational, stemming from logical reasoning.
• Division of Power in Norway Today:
We have principles of division of power, including the executive, the judiciary, and the
parliament; these concepts originate from the Enlightenment.
We have a constitutional monarchy where the king serves merely as a symbol and holds
no power, unlike an absolute monarchy.
We also have the principle of popular sovereignty, where the power of the state derives
from the people, for the people’s benefit.
• The Enlightenment:
A period characterized by intellectual and philosophical change where human reason
and constitutional governance were at the center.
This period led to the discovery of science and prioritization of knowledge.
The focus on enlightenment, reason, and individualism emerged in Paris.
During this period, there was a greater influence of media that conveyed thoughts and
ideas, as well as a growing interest in knowledge and expanding discussion arenas.
• Consequences of the Enlightenment:
The principle of separation of powers was a consequence of the Enlightenment…
The state would be governed by the people, and the leaders would be accountable to
them.
The state should be constitutional and adhere to the principle of separation of powers,
etc.
The Enlightenment laid the foundation for the American War of Independence and the
French Revolution, events that were based on Enlightenment ideals.
There was an increase in individual human rights and a desire for structure in society.
