Musical Offerings ⦁ 2025 ⦁ Volume 16 ⦁ Number 1 29 the camp as “the lack of clothing, the confused jumble of understanding and irregular units, the lack of standardized drill techniques, the poor equipment and ignorance of its proper use, and the general lack of systematized organization.”9 France and America formed an alliance by signing a treaty in 1778, marking France’s official entrance to the American Revolution.10 Spain and the Netherlands also came to America’s aid and declared war on Britain in 1779. 11 It was not until 1782 that peace began to be in sight and in 1783, Peace of Paris was signed between Britain and America and America was officially declared independent.12 Similar to the American Revolution, The French Revolution began due to frustrations with Parliament. King Louis XVI and the nobles led a comfortable life while the French government was running out of money. French middle and low classes were forced to pay higher taxes leaving France in an uproar. It was 1789 when France ran out of money and the Estates General was called to meet for the first time since 1614.13 On July 14, 1789, a group of lower-class French stormed the Bastille. It was this event that inspired widespread revolution to break out.14 While many used violence to communicate their beliefs and ideas, Laura Mason explains that songs became “one of the most commonly used means of communication of the French Revolution.”15 Music allowed those in society who were only partially literate to easily communicate and spread information and controversial opinions.16 In 1793, the middle class gained control of the country and executed King Louis XVI. This behavior pattern led to the Reign of Terror. The queen and thousands of nobles were executed causing this to be an extremely violent revolution.17 Afraid their nations would do the same, Britain, Austria, and other European 9 Camus, 78. 10 Shaw, n.p. 11 Murray, 60. 12 Murray, 87. 13 Bingham, et. al., 42. 14 Bingham, et. al., 42–43. 15 Mason, 2. 16 Mason, 2. 17 Bingham, et. al., 43.
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