revolutions essays

revolutions essays Revolutions can take many different forms. A revolution is a fundamental change in a political, economical, social, or religious organization. A political revolution is an overthrow of government, often sudden or violent. An example of a political revolution is the American Revolution. "The American Revolution led to the birth of a new nation." (The World Book Encyclopedia, p. 210) Before this revolution, Americans had grown to use a large measure of self-government. Americans strongly resisted the new laws passed by Great Britain, especially tax laws. "The British government was slow to think of the Americans as a political unit. As the British began making new laws, the colonists revolted." (Merit Students Encyclopedia, p. 576) Another example of a political revolution is the French Revolution. "This revolution began with a government financial crisis, but quickly became a movement of reform and violent change."(The World Book Encyclopedia, p. 524) "After the French Revolution, the old system of government was overthrown."(Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1996) The new government brought many changes. France adopted the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen". All Frenchmen were declared equal and free before the law. Public office and taxation was based on the ability to pay. In addition, the French Revolution inspired people in other parts of Europe to modernize their own countries. An economic revolution is a drastic change in the production, distribution, and consumption of certain products, usually caused by new technology. One such revolution is the Boston Tea Party. "In the Boston Tea Party, Americans were protesting against taxation without representation and the perceived monopoly of the East India Company." (Compton's Interactive Encyclopedia 1996) "The British Parliament placed import taxes on several items imported to America. The British passed the Tea Act to help get the East India Company out ...