The Age of Enlightenment

Western History

Looking into the dynamics that led to the declaration of American and French revolutions, respectively, it can be observed that both revolutions emerged out of an increasing conflict between civil society and the government. Moreover, this conflict between society and the government was economic in nature -- that is, the government sought to dominate civil society through economic policies and unfair economic practices.

The American Revolution emerged as a result of a series of conflicts and protests against economic measures that the British government implemented when it observed the flourishing economy of its new territory, the Americas. These economic policies ranged from implementation of additional taxes on specific consumer and trade goods, to limiting access to trade goods altogether. Among these unfair implemented acts are the Intolerable Acts, a collective term used to illustrate a series of acts that prevented America from achieving economic prosperity through trade and commerce. These acts did not only impose heavy taxes on consumer goods, it also closed down ports used for trading (specifically experienced in the Boston Port Act). As a result of this unfair practice, the Americans revolted against the British government, eventually seeking independence, and achieving this through the American Revolution.

Similarly, the French Revolution achieved recognition as the conflict that ended King Louis XVI's reign as the incumbent monarch leader of the country. The eventual declaration of the French Revolution was brought about by a combination of political, social and economic changes occurring in the society during the 18th century. Like America, French society became victims to the culture of corruption prevalent during Louis XVI's reign as king of the country. The weak leadership of the King made him lost control over important domestic affairs, such as the prevention of a fiscal crisis that plagued the country during this period. The growing dominance of the bourgeois class and the growing economic discontent in the society combined to create the atmosphere of dissatisfaction and conflict that eventually led to the development and declaration of the French Revolution.

King Louis XVI's passion for ballet dancing paved the way for ballet to thrive, develop and become rampant during his reign in the late 17th century. Under the leadership of Louis XVI's, ballet was institutionalized not only as an art form, but also as a profession. Moreover, during this period, ballet became a profession and art form no longer dominated by males, but also by females. It was also during this period that the comedie ballet became a popular form of ballet dance, particularly performed in Louis XVI's court ballet.