The rise of democracy
This paper includes an explanation comparing and contrasting the rise of democracy and the political changes in Great Britain,
... [Show More] France, and the United States in the late 18th and 19th centuries. The changes in each nation are similar and dissimilar depending on one’s own beliefs and understandings. Descriptions of how the Industrial Age changed Great Britain’s path to democracy will be explained as well as how the rise of the American and European democracies industrial powers influenced Africa and Asia. People wanted political power and freedom and a democracy was the answer!
“Since the 1600’s, Britain’s government had been a constitutional monarchy. Kings and Queens ruled Britain, but the elected Parliament held the real power later changing in the 1800s”, (Mclane, 2002, para. 1). Kings and Queens had authority but their control held no competition toward the pursuit of their social viewpoints, therefore allowing all the decision-making to the Parliaments who greatly desired domination. The Parliaments chose who voted, who paid taxes, and what religion was best for everyone. “In Great Britain, developments pushed to end religious restrictions, then in 1832 parliament passed the Great Reform Act”, (Craig, 2011, p. 708). The Great Reform Act permitted specific individuals voting rights, but even The Great Reform Act developed into corruption creating a void of voting individuals during elections. The Great Reform Act guaranteed the middle class a political voice of democracy. Although the guarantee existed, the experience proved differently as the middle class viewed corruption of the reform take over. High society aristocrats remained a dominant voice in the administration.
Similarities between Britain, France, and the United States include having: monarchial governments, a deep desire for constitutionalism, and a strong focus on liberty and equality. Changes arrived slowly as Britain, France, and the United States held specific agendas for their Country. Wars soon erupted and revolutions began!
Following the victory of the French and Indian War, the British positioned a large army on the recently obtained lands and increased the colonist’s taxes to pay the army. The colonists complained and objected because the increased taxes dishonored their citizenship. “Because of the protests, the British Parliament issued the Stamp Act in 1765”, (Craig, 2011, p.668). The citizens decided they had enough and fought for their rights and started the British Imposition. “This oppression became known as the American Revolution, with American Colonists fighting for independence. It began with the battle of Lexington and Concord, the night of April 18 and morning of April 19, 1775”, (Craig, 2011, p. 670).
“On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence”, (Craig, 2011, p. 670). In this declaration, men wrote a succession of rules based on the enlightenment ideas. Several years later, an assembly of American leaders gathered together in Philadelphia and devised a plan to improve the government. These men believed their plan would end the revolution. They agreed on a representative government. In this type of government the citizens designate their legislative body, by voting, to create rules, laws, and procedures. After agreeing on the representative government, a division of power was made between the federal and state government. Finally, the men created the three governmental [Show Less]