How Did The American Revolution Influence The French Revolution

From the year 1789 until 1799, the French Revolution, partially led by Napoleon Bonaparte, greatly influenced France politically and socially (Wikipedia). Throughout these years the citizens of France fought back against the monarchy, under the rule of Louis XIV, in order to create change (History.com). The years of the revolution created a sense of excitement and optimism in France, but at the same time it also created a lot of fear and uneasiness. Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s poem France: An Ode describes his emotions during the time leading up to, and the beginning of, the revolution. The ideas of the American Revolution influenced the French Revolution because it helped the French citizens realize that change is possible. In 1789 the French overthrew their government in order to create a nation with more equality amongst its people. Before the Revolution, the privileged class was made up of clergy and nobles; these privileged people did not have to pay taxes. Taxes were mostly placed on the artisans, peasants, and merchants, otherwise known as the Third Estate, and even among these groups of people there was a sense of inequality since taxes varied depending on location and occupation. Peasants had to pay dues to the nobles, the king, and the church …show more content…
At first he talks about “France in wrath” because during that time the country had to deal with the storming of the Bastile (22). He also calls France a “disenchanted nation” because many of its citizens were in favor of changing the system of government, but the Royalist party was not (28). The lines, “The Monarchs marched in evil day…” explain his hateful feelings toward the Monarchs because he calls them “evil,” and when says, “…And Britain joined in dire array,” he is talking about how Britain joined the Monarchs’ side during the battle to help fight against the French Republic