Why was the french and the American Revolution so different?

Answer 1

Both wars were initiated by perceived injustices from the monarchies in question and inspired by Enlightenment ideas, and the French Revolution was, in large part, inspired by the American Revolution. (Ironically enough, the French absolute monarchy had helped finance the revolt of the American colonists against perceived monarchical excesses . . . and the debt thus incurred was part of the snowballing problems that led to the French Revolution.)

The two wars differ in some key ways:

-- The American Revolution was a revolt of colonies against an overseas king, while the French Revolution was a revolt of the lower classes within their own country.

-- The goals of the American Revolution remained more or less the same from beginning to end, while the goals of the French Revolution changed, becoming more radical over time.

-- The American Revolution resulted in two separate states which have essentially retained those forms of government since, while the French Revolution brought a succession of governments to France.

The American Revolution was also not as violent as the French Revolution. French Revolutionaries (after storming the Bastille to start the Revolution) would execute any supporters of the king via the guillotine whereas American Revolutionaries were never violent persay towards Brits or supporters of the monarchy outside of warfare

Answer 2

Well, in general terms, the American Revolution came about because the British government did not fully realize the seriousness of the unrest and dissatisfaction which soon developed in its colonies in North America. The British government in London considered the distant colonies more as a possession than as an extension of its territory and people. Ill-will between the British government and its colonies in North America began to develop after 1763. The American colonies had enjoyed a large degree of self-government, and they wanted even greater freedom from British control, so they resented the imposition of stronger British rule and heavier taxes. The colonists refused to pay these taxes, and in 1773 the Boston Tea Party was staged to dump incoming tea into the harbor rather than pay taxes on it. Troops were sent into Massachusetts to strengthen British authority. Other events which aggravated the growing dissatisfaction in the colonies were new laws which limited westward settlement, restricted colonial trade with other countries and required colonists to house British soldiers stationed in their communities. All these laws are passed without consultation of the colonists. When the American Revolution erupted in 1776, King Louis XVI of France supported the American colonies in their bid for independence from the United Kingdom. Little did the King know that he had helped bring about his own downfall. French military and financial support seriously weakened the French economy. In 1789, the same revolutionary fervor crossed the Atlantic Ocean and erupted in France. The effects of these revolutions spread around the world, as absolute monarchies in many other countries were replaced much more peacefully with limited constitutional monarchies, republics and other democracies. The American Revolution officially began with a document, the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. The French Revolution officially began with an action, the Storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. The most obvious difference was that the American Revolution resulted in the newly independent United States, whereas the French Revolution overthrew its own government. However, the French people were greatly impressed with the ideals of freedom and democracy sought by the new United States, and these greatly influenced their thinking. In the 1780's, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson came to France as diplomats, and their presence in Paris greatly impressed the French people.

Answer 3

The primay difference in causes that led to the American Revolution and the French Revolution was based in the world view of the innate goodness or innate evil of man.The French did not seriously question the right of monarchy until a nearly fatal economic depression brought hunger. With no other foundation than the vanity of intellectuals, mob mentality brought on the Reign of Terror. Conversely, the British colonies in America had a much different example set for them by the Glorious Revolution and such documents as the Magna Carta. Those precidents empowered the colonists, as respectable British citizens with rights and freedoms, to rebel in the face of injustice.

Answer 4

The American Revolution created a lasting form of liberal government, while the French Revolution did not.