American War of Independence and Seven Years War

Question 1

American War of Independence

Answer 1

19 April 1775 - 3 September 1783

Question 2

Seven Years War

Answer 2

1756 - 1763

Question 3

Ideological implications of the AWOI (3)

Answer 3

1) Officers such as the Marquis de Lafayette and 8000 soldiers had served in the war
2) They returned with ‘the American Spirit’, challenging the political theory of absolutism with new ideas of liberty, popular sovereignty and civil rights.
3) Demonstrated that a society based on inalienable rights could prevail against the tyranny of a monarchy.

Question 4

Financial implications of the AWOI (3)

Answer 4

1) By 1783 the war had cost France 1 billion livres
2) By 1786 the state was spending over a third of its revenue on just debt interest
3) The spiralling financial crisis prompted Louis and Calonne to create a fairer taxation system, thus turning it into a fiscal crisis

Question 5

Simon Schama - Necessity of WAR

Answer 5

‘a costly and fruitless activity’

Question 6

Turgot - Impacts of the war

Answer 6

‘The first gunshot will drive the state into bankruptcy’

Question 7

Madame Campan

Answer 7

‘they returned triumphant to France, and brought with them the seeds of independence’