Who was responsible for the downfall of France? Louis XIV, Napoleon, Louis XVI, the British, the Americans, conservatives, the Church, Adolph Hitler, the Third Republic, or the stupid French people in general?
2006-06-19 01:20:33 · 8 answers · asked by mouthbreather77 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
The French revolution was far more devasting to France, even the cost of freeing the American revolutionaries was not as great as cost of civil war. The French expendititure was a success, not only did it hinder England (which was the primamary objective) but the opurtunity to form a useful alliance in the future (America was not in a position to be of any use to France at that moment) with the 'new' America, unfortunatly the Alliance did not prove as bountiful as the French hoped, perhaps due to the revolution.
Regardless America was part of the cat and mouse game played by France and England. England had briefly formed a republic under Cromwell in c1640s once Charles I was beheaded (Louis XVI)this was no doubt the inspiration of quasi democratic writings in Europe which was the inspiration for Americas republic (cautious to use the word democracy), nonetheless activities in England and Europe were far more important to France than the political regime of a small wayward English colony. America simply was not a major actor in the international scene and did not have the clout to be influential.
For personal reasons aside (my family had to flee France during the revolution and lost much) the revolution was simply a trend that was forming, England as the main example (even if it ended up as a constitutional monarchy) The difference being when France revolted it killed many of the intellectuals, or they fled to England and elsewhere. Thus a small number of able people remained. Those people had a chance to shape affairs that lead to another influence in Europe.
Any revolution/civil war results in change, whether good or bad. Personally Im Bias and it ended the Golden age of France, but on closer scrutiny it allowed for democracy and laws to be passed more easily and was no doubt the leading force for democracy than the constitutional monarchy that resulted in England.
Wasted expendititure does no lead to collapse of society (note: Vietnam) neither does a bankrupt nation ( it doesnt help) bu the collapse was a trend sparked by renaisance, reformation and any other free thinking literature, I cannot see the collapse of France being to the British (though they didnt help to boast it), or any political reformation by America, or resource wasted to pry America from British. The answer must lie with the people and politcal trends.
2006-06-19 02:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by tissapharnes 3 · 16⤊ 0⤋
The Amrikan revolution was an example to the French, it affected quite a wide range of European interests. As Hitler was as yet unborn he had no effect, neither did the British, or the Church. The Third Republic was still years away in 1792 as was Napoleon, so what is left, "Louis XIV, Louis XVI and "the stupid French people in general". Louis XIV was dead years beforehand, "the stupid French etc....", considering they produced Voltaire, Descartes, Victor Hugo and others, are not so stupid, so that leaves us the King, who if you bother to read the subject for yourself,( there is a nice concise account in Norman Davies book "Europe a History"), was not as much to blame as history would have us believe. You have to blame circumstances and bad management, both by the King and his underlings. A disaster waiting to happen, as is Afghanistan today.
2006-06-19 01:43:20 · answer #2 · answered by djoldgeezer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The French Revolution was devastating to the French people. The American Revolution was used as an inspiration to advance the concept of democracy but it opened the door to anarchy and led to the abuse of power among elite groups that grabbed power. Any revolution will open itself to abuse. That is what makes the American Revolution so very unique. G.Washington could have taken control but he was willing to allow the development of a republican form of government and his stewardship for eight years set the country on a path of democracy.
The first world war was responsible for the decline of the french. They lost nearly an entire generation of men and were from that point forward merely a second rate country living on past dreams. The second world war finished off any hopes and of course we recognize the french today as being at best a third rate power in the world, offering good wine, champagne and pleasant little villages to visit.
2006-06-19 01:28:38 · answer #3 · answered by jegreencreek 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think France is in a downfall.. they're just more connected to the world. I think the French politics made french poeple feel that the goverment is not protecting and taking care of them. France is not for French people anymore. They should conserve their culture and language.
And by the way the American revolution affected the whole world. we're not sure yet if it'll lead to a globalisation or to a new world war.
2006-06-19 01:26:21 · answer #4 · answered by cosmicwoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the American Rev effected the Brits more, it hit us hard to lose a colony..i guess though the French revolution lead to Napoleon and the Empire..and the terrors...so id say the French revolution
2006-06-19 01:28:08 · answer #5 · answered by thomas p 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The American Revo damn near bankrupted France. The French Revo kick started the age of enlightenment, so i wouldn't call it devastating at all.
2006-06-19 01:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by GKIRK78 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
American was more about lack of faith in the king and the desire for self-government. French was more about poverty and hatred for the king.
2016-03-26 21:24:38 · answer #7 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the most devasting one was my nuts in ur mouth
2006-06-19 01:23:39 · answer #8 · answered by clesleythemvp 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋