How did the French Revolution differ from the American Revolution?

Question

I'm trying to learn a little more on these topics before school starts.

I want to know how they differed based on philosopical foundations as well as ideas and beliefs behind both Revolutions.

Answer 1

Both Revolutions were to some extent inspired by the same writers. For the American, I think the most important is Locke, who prized individual liberty. For the French, Rousseau is most important. He prized liberty as well, but laid down a complex and ambiguous formula for a utopian contract between the governed and the governor. Thus, the US knew they wanted freedom above all else, whereas the French wanted to design a utopian system of government.

The US wanted a republic. This was easier because the monarch they were breaking with was in England. Thus, they could get rid of the monarch without any real consequence: they didn't have to deal with him anymore. In the case of France, this wasn't possible. What to do with the king was a common problem throughout the Revolution. Many in France also felt France was not suited for a republic like the US was, because of its large population. So this was another difference.

The American Revolution also started because they wanted to govern themselves. The French because they wanted a fairer society governed by the people. The US was a struggle for colonial independence, while the French was for a new form of government. (If it was me, I wouldn't even call the American Revolution a revolution like the French, but... what can you do!?!)

I would recommend reading Rousseau's Social Contract (it's very dry, but go slowly through it) and something about Locke. Also good would be reading about Montesquieu, who theorized about separation of powers in government, and Voltaire, who criticized the French monarchy.

Of course the Revolutions differed in other ways as well... but that's outside the scope of your question!