The American and French revolutions were more similar than different in many ways, The French revolution was inspired by the revolution of the colonists against the British. These revolutions occurred during the enlightenment period when philosophers were pushing the idea of popular sovereignty rather than a monarchy, which gave more power to the people War debts plagued each country, the lifestyle of the citizens of each country worsened as the years of war went on. There were many reasons for these revolutions and when looking at those reasons it is easy to tell that these wars were fought for the same cause Each country needed change to be successful and revolution was the only way to do it. These revolutions were entirely more similar then different and both were successful. One reason for the American and French revolutions was the fiscal problems in each country During the American Revolution, the European allies to the colonists loaned them ten million dollars to keep the war going (Marston).
Another problem the colonists had was that individual colonies had the chance to vote on tax issues in which taxes could not be raised to pay the war debts, Congress and the individual colonies printed their own paper money in which each was different, this led to inflation of the dollar and the inability to fund the war properly (Marston). From this war, France also piled on debts supporting the American cause on top of the already outstanding debts accrued from the seven years wart According to Daniel Marston, many historians believe that the debt from the seven years war, the American revolution, and the financial crisis in 1786 were among the main causes of the French revolution.
The drastic debt for each economy and how it is what a spark to their revolutions is just one principle on how these revolutions are very closely related (Marston). Another common reason for both revolutions is that there was a struggle between classes, The middle class against the aristocracy. In America, the colonists were being ruled from over three thousand miles away by the parliament of Britain After the French and Indian War, Britain imposed taxes on the colonists in which they felt were unjust since they did not have any representation in parliament, This led to many rebellious acts by the colonists and then eventually full out revolutionary war. In France, there was also a big struggle in class systems. In turn these revolutions inspired other revolutions like the one in present day Haiti, by a former slave named Toussaint Louverture. The Haitians accomplished the first successful slave revolt in history.
The American and French revolutions also inspired a revolution in Mexico. This revolution was led by Simon Bolivar, who after winning, attempted a United States type of federationt The American and French revolutions would not have been so inspiring to other countries if they were not so closely related to each other. The American and French revolutions both fought for natural rights of man. The Declaration of Independence was written from the ideas of John Locke. When the French wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Man, they to emphasized the natural rights of man, The Declaration of Independence greatly influenced the makeup of the French Declaration (Charles Kessler). Escape from tyrannical on monarchal rule, this is what both the French and the American revolutions were about, The colonies were escaping Britain while the lower class of France was escaping the monarchy Both countries were taking advantage of the lack of strength of its monarchy at the time.
The French economy was down due to war debts and the monarchy did not have such a tight grip on the country. While in Britain, their war debts were also hurting them economically. Having to keep troops in the colonies and all over their empire had cost money and with the colonists not paying taxes and being over three thousand miles away, it was harder for the British to send their whole fleet at the colonist. The revolutions sought to bring a republic in as government, not a monarchy. Not only were both the colonists and the lower class of the French being taxed heavily by their government but they were also being controlled by this government who was offering no help to them (Smith, Nicole: A Comparison), It is also true that the first act at a new government in both countries was a failed attemptl The Articles of Confederation in America gave most of the powers to the state and not the federal government.
This led to a lack of unity in the thirteen colonies and put the economy in a bind The French also had a miserable attempt at a government after the monarchy was overthrown, They both learned from their mistakes and set in place a government that has a balance of power between the states and the federal government. Most Americans gained an interest in the French revolution Seeing their own struggle with Britain in the eyes of the lower class of France. The French Revolution held the support of political parties in America. Thomas Jefferson was said to even pass along legislative ideas through the Marquis de Lafayette (David Gtuban Prod).
The American and French revolutions have inspired countries around the world to make a change in their government Many more revolutions happened that were inspired by the American and French The enlightenment philosophers ideology played a huge role in the American revolution and in turn sparked the French revolution The reason for both revolutions is simple, economic downfall and tyrannical monarchies trying to control its people with no representation in governmentl With all the information given, it is safe to say that the American and French revolutions were more similar in their cause then different.
