Political Structure Of Britain And France In 18th Century Essay Sample

After the revolution of 1688, the agreement was held between the monarchy and parliament of Britain which resulted in the succession of George of Hannover. The succession of the new King excluded the Catholic descendants of James II from the throne. The latter showed resistance but couldn’t succeed in regaining the throne. The supporters of James II, who were known as Jacobites, stood for the rebellion against the government, but this attempt was made unsuccessful in 1715.
The hot issue of power between the monarch and the parliament was also resolved due to the revolution. The parliament was to be considered as the chief force in the government. The parliament was also liable for approving taxes, passing laws and controlling the foreign policy. The Hanoverian came into power after they allied themselves with the Whig party that later helped the former to dominate the government.
After the death of Louis XIV in 1715, the result of his policy of national grandeur was calamitous. His descendants became weakened because the major part of state’s finance was used up in continuous warfare. The kingdom of France has complete power to take any necessary reform, but neither the Louis XV nor his successor proves his capability. Later the title of the ancient regime was adopted by the French society. In 1740, France started a war against Britain when Frederick attacked Austria. This war again started in 1754 in which army of Fredrick crushed the French army.
The rivalry between the British and French-led the French to support the rebellions of North American colonies during the American Revolution of 1775. American victory, made with the help of French, enhanced the power of French but failed to provide any territorial gains or economic stability.
French crown invested a large sum of money in war and was unable to manage their monetary resources and money became the largest factor in the downfall of the monarchy in 1789. Ultimately reforms announced by the monarchy failed to reform the empire, and it collapsed (Winks and Kaiser).

Works Cited

Winks, Robin W. and Thomas E. Kaiser. Europe, 1648 - 1815: From the Old Regime to the Age of Revolution. New York: Oxford Press, 2004. Print