French Revolution and Egyptian Revolution

French Revolution and Egyptian Revolution

1. Compare / Contrast Louis XVI and Mubarak.

Similarities	Differences
Both ruled as absolute monarchies: Louis XVI- Absolute ruler and Mubarak- Dictator	Louis was executed. Mubarak was forced out of office.
Both failed to improve financial situation	Mubarak tried to help financial situation but failed. Louis didn’t even try.
Both dismissed ministers that tried to help with financial reforms	Louis made sure that no one could kick him out of office. But the revolution succeeded. Mubarak allowed people to run against him but they never won.
Both distanced themselves from the common people. Louis at Versailles and Mubarak at his presidential palace.	Mubarak held office for 30 years from 1981 to 2011, while Louis XVI ruled from 1774-1791
Both were forced out of office because of revolutions
Louis assigns nobles to positions of power. Mubarak assigns his friends to positions of power in his cabinet.

2. In each case, WHY were the people protesting? (Cite primary sources).

In the French Revolution the people were protesting because of the financial situation. The government was taking advantage of the poor making them pay all the taxes in times of inflation and famine. The nobles and clergy were exempt from paying and taxes at all. Even though making the upper class pay taxes could have helped the situation in France, Louis refused to make them pay and so faced the consequences when they got so fed up they revolted and had him executed.

http://history.hanover.edu/texts/cahier.htm

http://history.hanover.edu/texts/cahiers3.html

The Egyptian revolution is similar to that of the French revolution. The people were tired of being oppressed by the dictator Mubarak and decided to oust him. He was known for spending money on himself and they say that Mubarak may be wealthier than Bill Gates. The people of Egypt wanted to end corruption and police repression.

http://worldblog.msnbc.msn.com/egypt

http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2011/01/201112523026521335.html

3. What role did women play?

Women played an important role in the French Revolution. They were responsible for the march on Versailles, which was when nearly 100,000 women protested. They was the famous Olympe de Gouge who was a famous writer of the pamphlet Rights of Women prompting other women to realize they should have equal rights as men and to fight for those rights. Marie Antionette was disliked by the people of France for being promiscuous and having sympathy for the enemy. Women were part of the Egyptian revolution but were not as famous for it. They took part in the marches, protests, and other activities in the Egyptian revolution. These women helped support the men in the protests with food and water. But they also marched against the presidential palace as well.

4. What concerns are their about the current situation in Egypt? How might they relate to the days following the fall of Louis XVI?

There are concerns on whether or not the military is going to take control of the country. Since they suspended the constitution to get rid of parliament, the people in charge may wish to take control and stay in power. Others think that Mubarak may not have been the only problem and that others still exist and the situation may not get better. In the days following the fall of Louis XVI there were still some protests just like in Egypt but they went right back to an absolute dictator this time in the form of Napoleon.

5. How did/are people express(ing) their views?

In both cases, the people are expressing their views both peacefully and violently. They are using guns, Molotov cocktails and other explosive devices in Egypt. It is violent in which people are getting hurt in Egypt. In France, nearly 14,000 people were killed for expressing their ideas. They marched, printed pamphlets, joined in the estates general and later their own national assembly, wrote a constitution that was never used, and eventually guns. The Egyptian revolution consisted of marching and protests with bombs, guns, and explosions.

6. Are the current protests violent?

Yes the current protests are violent. People were known for attacking each other and those relating to the government that was going to be overthrown. There were bombs in the streets along with people shooting guns and throwing Molotov cocktails.

7. What do people on the ground in Cairo think is going to happen now? (Directly contact reporters and bloggers in Egypt via Twitter during this class period).

While attempting to contact reporters on the ground in Egypt, my actions were futile and no one got back to me. However, from what others have said in class, the situation is looking hopeful. People are celebrating their freedom and continuing limited protests to further more demands and freedoms. Right now the military has taken charge to bring stability to the region. This can work as long as they do not greedy with power. If all goes well within a year a new democracy will be installed.

8. Based on your study of the French Revolution and your current observations of the situation in Egypt, what do you think are possible outcomes? How are the possible outcomes in Egypt alike or different with outcomes in France -- both in the short and long term.

Military will step in and take control. Suspended the constitution and fired parliament. Some possible outcomes for Egypt include successfully implementing a new government, one that they people will support. However, on the negative side, the military leaders may wish to gain power, and take control. More protests may ensue and more people injured, but right now it is calming down and people happy with the way the revolt went.