UPSC Mains Previous Year Questions: American and French Revolution | History for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: What were the circumstances leading up to the American War of Independence? Explain.  (UPSC GS1 Mains)
Answer: 

• The American War of Independence culminated in the freedom of the American colonies and laid the foundation of the first democratic government with a written constitution in the world. It introduced new political, social and economic structure in the United States of America. It was not only a war against the colonial domination of England but was also fought against aristocracy and reactionary elements. 
• Circumstances leading up to the American War of Independence: Seven Years War: End of the Seven Years War in 1763 and the transfer of Canada from France to England removed the fear of French attack from the minds of the Americans. They could now fully focus on countering the British adversities. 
• Granville Measures: British PM Granville passed a series of Acts which affected the interests of the American colonies such as The Sugar Act of 1764, The Stamp Act of 1765, The Quartering Act etc. These measures were severely opposed by the colonists. They raised the slogan “No Taxation without Representation” thus insisting for the American representation in the English Parliament. 
• Townshend Laws: British minister Townshend imposed new taxes on glass, paper, tea, paints, etc in 1767. The Americans protested these measures and boycotted British goods. The protest led to the killing of five Americans by British soldiers which came to be known as the Boston Massacre. 
• Boston Tea Party: In 1773, a new Tea Act was passed imposing a tax on import of tea which was protested by Americans. A group of Americans dressed as Red Indians climbed on the ships and threw away the tea bundles into the sea at the Boston harbour. This event was known as the Boston Tea Party. 
• Philadelphia Congress: In 1774 and 1775 representatives of American colonies met twice at Philadelphia. They appealed to the British King to remove restrictions on industries and trade and not to impose any taxes without their consent which was rejected by the British monarch. As a last attempt, an Olive Branch Petition was sent to the British King George III, who rejected it. 
• Thus American colonists decided to unite in their fight against the British. Declaration of Independence: A pamphlet named “Common Sense” began to be circulated in the colonies which attacked the idea of hereditary monarchy and advocated democratic government. The pamphlet inculcated the fighting spirit among the Americans. Ultimately On 4th July 1776, the American Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Continental Congress. 
• The declaration included the ideals of human freedom in it and laid emphasis on the unalienable rights of men namely, “Life, Liberty and Pursuit of Happiness”. The war which started in 1775 finally ended in 1781 where British troops under the command of General Cornwallis surrendered to Commander in Chief Washington at Yorktown. The war finally came to an end by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Q2: Describe the legacy of the French Revolution for the people of the world during the nineteenth and twentieth century.  (UPSC GS1 Mains)
Answer: 

• The French Revolution was a watershed event in modern European history that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. During this period, French citizens razed and redesigned their country’s political landscape, uprooting centuries-old institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system. 
• The revolution left a lasting legacy upon the people of the nineteenth and twentieth century which could be manifested through various ways such as: Gift of principles: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Europe and the world received the valuable gifts of principles like liberty, equality and fraternity from the French Revolution. 
• French Revolution imparted many such modern thoughts to people across the world. Getting rid of monarchy, feudalism: Unlimited monarchs, feudal lords and clergies were exploiting common people continuously. Similar conditions prevailed in almost every country in Europe. Revolution ended that injustice. 
• Monarchy was replaced by Democracy, all special rights and concessions of feudal lords and clergies were denied. People got inspiration and movements began against those factors of injustice. It was the beginning of the modern age in Europe Beginning of reforms in all fields: Due to Revolution’s ideas of liberalism, nationalism etc. classless society began to emerge in France. Clergies were now appointed by the government. Agriculture, trade and business improved. Other countries of Europe also got inspiration and they began reforms. 
• Inspiration to nationalist movements: Principle of equality created unity among people which created the feeling of nationalism. Getting inspiration from the French Revolution, the movements of unification began in Germany, Italy, Russia etc. Development of democracy: Revolution destroyed socio-economic inequality and established democracy in France. The central idea of the revolution was the welfare of people. 
• King and representatives were to act as servants of society. People began raising voices against the unjust rule as a matter of their right. It helped to develop democracy in Europe as well. Although the French Revolution, at times degenerated into a chaotic bloodbath, it played a critical role in shaping modern nations by showing the world the power inherent in the will of the people. Memories of the French Revolution of 1789 are not only historical in nature, but also constitute a legacy that continues till date in the form of human values and rights.

Q3: Explain how the foundations of the modern world were laid by the American and French Revolutions. (UPSC GS1 Mains)
Answer:
Introduction
The credit for making the democracy popular in the world goes not only to the great American war of interdependence, but also to the French revolution, which was equally a struggle of weapons as well as of idea. The ideas of freedom, equality and fraternity are the eternal contribution of the French revolution in the modern constitutional principles adopted around the world.
How the American Revolution laid the foundation of the modern world: 

• American Revolution gives the idea such as constitunalism, rule of law indivuduailism, soverginity, and separation of power which gains popularity in the modern world history. 
• The revolution led to the establishment of a republic based on the first written constitution in the world. 
• It inspired the people in Europe as well as others part of the world to fight against their despotic regimes to compel the government to adopt the constitution. 
• Success of American nationalism inspired the emergence of the nationalist movement in European countries such as Spanish and Portuguese colonies in Central and South America to rebel and gain their independence. 
• It also inspired the nationalist movement in colonies like India during 19th and 20th century It also triggered a series of trans-Atlantic revolutions.Ex-French, Irish etc. 
• The idea of capitalism was also popularised by the success of American Revolution. 
• It triggered the process of decolonisation which continued for more than 200 years. 
• The lessons learnt by British government from its defeat in the war of American independence were implied in the newly emerging colonial empire in India in future. 
• It intensified hostility between Britain and France this renewed hostility was responsible for continental wars and battles. 
• This was a marked contrast to the other states were Monarchies were still in power. This inspired people across the world to struggle for democratic and republican forms of government. 
• It established a federal state with powers divided between the federal government and states. This provided a nice template for power-sharing in diverse countries that needed complex polities. 
• Besides, there was a separation of powers between various organs of the state. 
• Certain inalienable rights were given to the people – this limited the government against the authority of people and reduced government interference in their lives. 
• Democracy was established, but it was far from perfect. Sections like Negroes and women were denied voting rights. But the journey to democracy had begun. 
• It led to many uprisings in Europe, with the French revolution being the biggest. Many generals who participated in the war were instrumental in the French revolution. 
• Thinkers like Thomas Paine also participated in the revolution. This led to a spread of modern ideas in Europe. 

How the French revolution laid the foundation of the modern world: 

• The French Revolution had been a world-shaking event. For years to come its direct influence was felt in many parts of the world. It inspired revolutionary movements in almost every country of Europe (Germany and Italian unification) and in South and Central America. 
• For a long time the French Revolution became the classic example of a revolution which people of many nations tried to emulate. 
• It gave the idea of liberty, equality and fraternity to the modern world. It brought about a political awaking in Europe. People began to rise in revolt to demand their rights. 
• It also popularised the concept of democracy. Absolute monarchy was replaced by constitutional monarchy in many countries. 
• It separated religion from politics and stood for secularism which condemned religious fanaticism. 
• It generated a new power which gave birth to a new civilization. The declaration of human rights emphasise that sovereignty lies with the people and law is an expression of their will. 
• It kicked a number of movements where people demanded not only political freedom but also right to property and freedom of expression. 
• The revolution aroused the spirit of political, social and economic equality like women claimed equal rights with men. 
• The impact of the French Revolution can be summed up, in the words of T. Kolokotrones, one of the revolutionary fighters in the Greek war of independence: “According to my judgment, the French Revolution and the doings of Napoleon opened the eyes of the world. The nations knew nothing before, and the people thought that kings were gods upon the earth and that they were bound to say that whatever they did was well done. 
• Through this present change it is more difficult to rule the people.” Even though the old ruling dynasty of France had been restored to power in 1815, and the autocratic governments of Europe found themselves safe for the time being, the rulers found it increasingly difficult to rule the people. 
• Some of the changes that took place in many parts of Europe and the Americas in the early 19th century were the immediate, direct consequences of the Revolution and the Napoleonic wars. 
• The wars in which France was engaged with other European powers had resulted in the French occupation of vast areas of Europe for some time. 
• The French soldiers, wherever they went, carried with them ideas of liberty and equality shaking the old feudal order. They destroyed serfdom in areas which came under their occupation and modernized the systems of administration. 
• Under Napoleon, the French had become conquerors instead of liberators. The countries which organized popular resistance against the French occupation carried out reforms in their social and political system. The leading powers of Europe did not succeed in restoring the old order either in France or in the countries that the Revolution had reached. 
• The political and social systems of the 18th century had received a heavy blow. They were soon to die in most of Europe under the impact of the revolutionary movements that sprang up everywhere in Europe. 

Conclusion

• On the whole, it may be said that the American and French revolution were exemplary events in the world history. American Revolution laid the foundation, while French Revolution constructed building of modern world (with Liberty, Equality, Fraternity). 
• French Revolution gave inspiration to many movements like India’s Struggle for Freedom 1857- 1947 to rise against tyranny and misrule. 
• A new era began in the new world and paved the way for the new epoch for the old world.

Q4: ‘France and the United States are rightly considered the birth places of modern democracy.’ Discuss the statement in the light of the French and American revolution.  (UPSC GS1 Mains)
Answer:
Introduction
The American Revolution and the French Revolution are considered as a cardinal epoch in world history. It gave a death blow to the old orthodox system of governance and installed modern ideals for governing nations.
Body
American Revolution’s contribution to Modern World

• Principles of liberty and democracy: The declaration of independence proclaimed that “all men are equal”. It provided an impetus to the people of the world to demand liberty and freedom. Constitutionalism: The revolution led to the first written constitution in the world which served as an inspiration for many nations who borrowed many ideas from the American constitution. 
• The American war of independence gave birth to a novel system of government, viz, Federalism. In the course of time, the federal form of government got popularity. This provided a nice template for power sharing in diverse countries that needed complex polities.
• Promotion of Human Rights: The American war of independence laid stress on the rights of the human being. The “Declaration of Rights” of Thomas Jefferson awakened the people about their rights.
• French Revolution’s contribution to Modern World The democratisation of society: The French Revolution was a pan-European revolution. It hacked the roots of the ancient system in Europe and ended the centuries-old feudal system. Before the revolution, the society was based on inequality, disparity, privileges and concessions.
• The revolution attacked the roots of this disparity. It initiated a new social organization. Ideals of modernity: liberty, equality and fraternity brought political awakening in Europe. Secularism: The revolution ended the sovereignty, despotism and corruption of the Church. The importance of the worship of intellect and reason became more prominent.
• The people demanded not only political freedom but also the right to property and freedom of expression. They also demanded voting rights. Women claimed equal rights with men. The Revolution aroused the spirit of nationalism. It paved the way for the unification of Italy and Germany.
• It also popularized the concept of democracy. Colonised peoples reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into their movements to create a sovereign nation-state. Tipu Sultan and Rammohan Roy are two examples of individuals who responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France.
• Conclusion French and American revolution not only laid the edifice for a newly emerging egalitarian society and a new way of polity in their respective countries but they also acted as the philosophical basis and aspiration of the people of other nations. The revolutions highlighted the fundamentals of a civilised world which continues to shape the global aspirations of today’s time.