The French Revolution vs. the American Revolution

Written by Frank Li

Are the French Revolution and the American Revolution comparable in nature? No! Is there a relationship between them? Yes!

This post attempts to succinctly answer these two basic questions, with some depth.

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1. The American Revolution

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – American Revolution.

The American Revolution was a colonial revolt that took place between 1765 and 1783. The American Patriots in the Thirteen Colonies won independence from Great Britain, becoming the United States of America. They defeated the British in the American Revolutionary War in alliance with France and others.

For more, watch the short video below.

2. The French Revolution

Below is an excerpt from Wikipedia – French Revolution.

The French Revolution was a period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France and its colonies that lasted from 1789 until 1799. It was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire. The Revolution overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, catalyzed violent periods of political turmoil, and finally culminated in a dictatorship under Napoleon who brought many of its principles to areas he conquered in Western Europe and beyond. Inspired by liberal and radical ideas, the Revolution profoundly altered the course of modern history, triggering the global decline of absolute monarchies while replacing them with republics and liberal democracies.[1] Through the Revolutionary Wars, it unleashed a wave of global conflicts that extended from the Caribbean to the Middle East. Historians widely regard the Revolution as one of the most important events in human history.[2][3][4]

For more, watch the short video below.

3. France and the American Revolution

Louis XVI (King of France, 1774 – 1791) strongly supported the American Revolution for two main reasons:

1. The traditional French hatred against the British.
2. The conflict of interests between the French Empire and the British Empire, especially in North America.

Specifically, below are two highlights:

1. Louis XVI was actually the only European monarch who recognized America before the Siege of Yorktown, which was a decisive turning point for America in the war.
2. Even the treaty to conclude the American Revolution War was signed in Paris (Treaty of Paris – 1783).

4. Linking the American Revolution with the French Revolution

Unfortunately for France, its support of the American Revolution cost the country so much that France was nearly broke by 1783.

Together with some other factors causing misery in life (e.g. over-taxation and the extravagant lifestyle of the Royal family), Parisians finally had it – They stormed the Bastille, thus starting the revolution!

5. Two different results

What happened to America after the American Revolution? A republic was born, and a revolution leader named George Washington who, after refusing to be named king, was elected as its first President. America thrived …

What happened to France after the French Revolution? An emperor replaced her king! Napoleon, a revolution leader, not only named himself the emperor, but also acted like one by waging wars against her many neighbors, only to be totally defeated in the end (Battle of Waterloo). After that, it was France in the long 19th century (1815-1914).

6. Back to the American Revolution

Unlike the French Revolution, which was started by the starving people for bread, the American Revolution was actually instigated by a bunch of rich people, most notably Samuel Adams and John Hancock, who simply did not want to pay [more] taxes to the mother country! They conspicuously hid this real reason behind an eloquent slogan of “no taxation without representation.”

More profoundly, read the two images below.

For more, read: American History 2.0.

7. Discussion

The French Revolution and the American Revolution are very different.

The French Revolution was a “real” revolution, out of extraordinary misery in life. The same thing can be said about the Russian Revolution and the Chinese Communist Revolution.

In contrast, the American Revolution was not “real” for one key reason: before the revolution broke out, there was no extraordinary misery in life in America (other than the Natives and African slaves, obviously). No, the taxation Britain imposed on its 13 colonies in America was moderate, especially when compared with the taxation in France. Yet, the 13 “ungrateful” colonies rebelled … There is no analogy to the American Revolution throughout human history, especially in terms of the scale.

8. Closing

The French Revolution was a real revolution, while the American Revolution was a lie. It’s time to truly understand America by truly understanding the American Revolution first.

Now, please sit back and enjoy the video below.

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