American vs French Revolution: A Comparison

American vs French Revolution: A Comparison

War Synopsis

The French Revolution

The American Revolution

The American revolution was sparked by sudden regulation of the colonies by Britain. However, the revolution was a conservative movement in that it looked to preserve the autonomy that the colonies were used to. The revolution moved power from the social elite to the general population. It also slowly implemented social equality.

The French Revolution was inspired by the American Revolution and driven by the collapsing economy and sharp class divides. The revolution began moderately but quickly radicalized and looked to abolish slavery, serfdom, and legal privileges. The revolution also looked to implement universal male suffrage and ended up rasing the question of the participation of women in politics. The French Revolution was far more violent due to the innate class divisions, the divisions and rapid radicalization of the revolution caused the execution of King Louis XIV, several revolution leaders, and thousands of civilians. Though the effects of the revolution where moderated when Napoleon came to power.

The Cause of the Wars

The French Revolution

The American Revolution

The French economy collapsed due to supporting the American revolution, King Louis XIV called the Estates general into session and the third estate (general population), spurred on by the ideas of the American revolution, declared that they where the rightful law making body.

Britain began implementing taxes, tariffs, and laws that began to challenge the autonomy that the colonists were used to, without the consent or representation of the colonists.

The Economic Changes of the Revolutions

The American Revolution

The French Revolution

The American economy remained relatively unchanged but was no longer restricted by Britain.

The French economy was in shambles before the revolution and remained so throughout the revolution, the economy was eventually revitalized by Napoleon after the revolution during the creation of the French empire.

The Change of Government due to the Revolution

The French Revolution

The American Revolution

Went from a monarchy to a republic for the duration of the revolution but was quickly turned into a military dictatorship by Napoleon.

America went from an autonomous empirical colony to a democratic republic.

The Violence of the Revolution

The American Revolution

The French Revolution

The American Revolution was not considered a violent revolution, of the battles fought most were against the British directly, the revolution was mostly a war of attrition.

The French revolution was far more violent with King Louis XIV and Queen Mary being executed, along with several revolutionary leaders and thousands of civilians deemed enemies of the revolution.

The Change of Society by the Revolution

The French Revolution

The American Revolution

While the French revolution was far more radical than its American counterpart, the only lasting changes was the implementation of secular law, religious freedom, and the ending of feudalism.

The American revolution was surprisingly moderate, the colonists revolted against the sudden changes implemented by the British, though the power was shifted away from the aristocracy and equality of all was slowly implemented.