The American and French Revolutions essays

The American and French Revolutions essays Of the two revolutions, I think the American Revolution captured the essence of freedom, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in more ways than the French Revolution. It is tough to actually define what freedom, liberty and happiness truly are. As time has told, all three terms have had different implications throughout the course of history. That set aside, when they are taken for their simplest definition, America proudly supports them all. The French looked to the Americans for the freedom, liberty, and happiness they successfully fought for from 1775 to 1789. Not only was the creation of the Declaration of Independence an exciting and fascinating political document, it was an initial step for Americans in their pursuit for happiness. The American Revolution was conservative and defensive in that its demands were for the traditional liberties of English citizens; Americans were united against the British, but otherwise they were a satisfied people, not torn by internal conflict (John P. McKay, et. al. page 693). Furthermore, the people of the colonies never really developed a social class hierarchy. With that being said, happiness was weaved into the colonists lives merely because they were a united people fighting from Great Britains economic hold on them. I do not think the French Revolution achieved such a level of happiness for a few main reasons. First, many more lives were lost and more blood was shed. Second, the French had to alter their entire way of life their government, economy, politics, etc. Third, in only a couple years, they tried to accomplish what the Americans achieved over the course of many. The French Revolution was a much more violent revolution than that in America. I think the French felt the horror and devastating effects of their revolution long before they felt it was a pursuit to happiness. Two important political documents resulted fro...