In Western Europe, democracy did not wipe the autocracy out until the middle of the 20th century. This process began with the Renaissance, which promoted individual thinking. Philosophers questioned the contemporary politics and sought for another solution, where religion did not affect the government. Several attempts were made to imitate the prior Greek democracy — such as Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights — but with little results.
The main reason for democracy not spreading during the Renaissance was probably the difficulties which the people had in displacing the King from his power. Since the differences between social classes were huge, the lower-class citizens — who would gain from a change in government — had scarce resources at their disposal and would not manage to overthrow the King with a revolution. Instead, a slow and peaceful reformation was required.
From the Renaissance and throughout the 19th century, the people of different countries took many small steps towards their goal of democracy. The creation of laws which restricted the rulers’ power was a very important step, since the authorities before this could simply neglect the opinions of the people and keep ruling autocratically. Many governments grew into multi-party systems, which, along with the following universal suffrage, allowed the people to choose their own ruler. The French Revolution proved that the King cannot stand against the people if they are motivated enough.
Democracy’s last enemies were vanquished during the Second World War. Italy’s and Germany’s fascistic approaches were fought back and eliminated, and not long after the end of the war did the Soviet Union become dismantled. With the unions established after the Second World War, Western Europe reached the democratic state which it still maintains today.
In short, the democratic breakthrough was caused by circumstances and an escalation — a fortunate succession of events.
Despite the two revolutions taking place at different occasions (1775-1783 and 1789-1799, respectively) and different continents, their causes were very much alike.
Equally important in both revolutions was economy. The American revolution was partially caused by the pressure which Britain put upon its colonies. Since Britain was economically dependent on the colonies, it kept taxing them. The taxation itself, though, was not the problem. Britain lacked satisfying reasons for the taxes, they did it only in order to gain money. This phenomenon – commonly known as taxation without representation – infuriated the colonies, since the taxes had not even been accepted by the parliament, which the colonies had elected themselves. The people could bear the taxes’ burdens, but not the burden of ignorance.
France, as a second-tier trading nation, was unable to survive and pay off debts using only money given by the taxes on trading goods. Therefore, the King further taxed the people, especially the peasants. It is important to note that, paradoxically, the wealthiest – the nobles – were not obliged to pay taxes, which allowed the King to successfully sell titles, pulling the two social classes further apart.
The economic troubles of the British colonies are in every colony’s nature, though this case was only worsened by Britain’s greed. On the other hand, France’s case was more deeply rooted. For long had the two social classes been separated, but with the King’s selling of titles, they were totally torn off from each other. Lack of money caused famine in the lower class.
Britain’s greed harmed the colonies in America only because Britain controlled them. This control was greatly abused and exploited with enormous and illogical taxes, which left no choice for the thirteen colonies but to break the bonds. France’s problems were of the same nature: the King’s and the nobles’ control was being exploited. The lower class of France were left with no money and only one choice, to break the bonds.
In essence, the reasons of the American revolution and the French revolution were actually the same. In both cases, there was one majority which was oppressed and abused, in order for the elites to gain money power. This exploitation were, in both revolutions, caused by political issues. The two peoples were stuck in serving oppressors. The only difference is that the problems were rooted on different levels.pics dorm pornpornstar dorthy blackdoubble porn jointedporn me double bangdarrel double porndouble dildo porn videoes porn doubleporn penetration double free Map
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