Why wasnt there a "Reign of Terror" during the American Revolution?

Question

If there was a Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, why wasnt there a Reign of Terror during the American Revolution? What are some similarities between the two wars??

Answer 1

Depends on whether your referring to the War of Independence of 1775-1783, or to the larger political revolution between 1763 (first serious rumbles of discontent with London) and 1800 (Adams and Jefferson, the Federalists and the Democratic-Republicans).

For the revolutionary war itself, not everything was as rosy as some people think. Tories were attacked, beaten, and even executed for not being Patriots. And vice versa. The partisan warfare in the South was especially vicious.

France, now...France went through the Terror partly out of paranoia from the foreign invasions and threats issued against the constitutional-monarchy and then republican experiment. The Committee of Public Safety tried to consolidate power into one group to combat external invasion and internal dissent, and weren't too forgiving with its enemies -- which is why they were very liberal with employing the charms of Madame Guillotine.

Also, to the poster who posted just above mine -- Oliver Cromwell died a hundred and thirty years before the fall of the Bastile. He couldn't seriously take part in the French Revolution. He was also an English Puritan.

Answer 2

Jelay11's answer so far is the most thoughtful and most factual. The class dymanics were quite different in the New World compared to France. Also, the French monarch was absolute, whereas the British model, including the colonies, was already slowly lurching itself towards modern democracy. The English king was on the throne at the pleasure of Parliament. Although King George III was crazier that a loon, his remaining on the throne was better than anarchy.

My immediate reaction to your question was: Who says there wasn't a "Reign of Terror"?!

As the descendant of a United Empire Loyalist (UEL) whose forebears were burned out, extorted out, driven out, expropriated and/or assaulted, I suggest that terrorists did reign from the end of the Revolutionary War until almost the War of 1812. Starting in the early 1780's until almost 1820 or so, colonists streamed into Upper Canada (now Ontario) because they preferred a Parliamentary system of government and felt that republicanism had too uncertain a future. (I'm not saying that they were right, just that this is what motivated them to leave the U.S.)

Since history is written by the victors, do you really think that American historians are going to brag about lynching a supposed Royal sympathizer or broadcast burning down the farm or business of a suspectedTory?

Answer 3

The Reign of Terror was what preceeded the French Revolution. Oliver Cromwell and his loyalists sent many Frenchman to the guillotine and cut their heads of for nothing more then having a different opinion.

The reason there was no Reign of Terror in the American Revolution was becaue their cause was different. The new Americans wanted freedom from British rule.

Though the American Revolution had The Boston Tea Party and the battle cry of "No taxation without representation." In the mayley there were lives lost.

The similarities are that many people died in both and all for different governmental beliefs then other factions fighting the war.

Answer 4

I must agree with Judith. Although the extent of the American terror campagin was different from the French - there was still a significant air of fear and intimidation for Revolutionaries towards Loyalists or even those who wanted to remain neutral that included merchants and even clergy. Essentially, if you weren't for the Revolutionary cause, you were deeded a traitor. One group taht dealth with these people were the Committees on Safety who tarred and feathered Loyalists, and in some cases beat and killed them. When a "Continental Fast" was called for, clergy who defied the call were arrested and abused.

In the end, a sizable number of Americans moved to other British territories including England, the Caribbean, Nova Scotia, and Quebec. In Canada, they helped to form an influential group of elites who would help to shape the modern CDN political structure.

But to answer part of your question - there was a Terror campaign during the American Revolution, it is just infrequently written about because they lost.

Answer 5

Well, the French supporters of the king had nowhere else to go, so they were easy targets for the revolutionaries. The British supporters, or Tories, could have just gone to England when the colonies won.

And just a side note to Deahwest (see below), what history are you a buff of? Oliver Cromwell lived 200 years before the French Revolution and was an opponent of the King of England.

Answer 6

Perhaps it's because the major players in the American Revolution were from the upper, richer classes. The French Revolution involved people who had been oppressed and voiceless -- they had a lot of pent-up anger. It seems, that a neccessary component for a "Reign of Terror" would be the desire for revenge, getting something back from the ones who oppressed you.

Answer 7

There was a reign of Terror by the British against the Americans. And there were violent acts against supporters on both sides.

This included tar and feathering, hanging, loss of property, kidnapping, etc.

Answer 8

Who would we have beheaded? Although there were some people, both wealthy and poor, who thought the Revolution was wrong, they were still Americans and had more in common with us than Britain.

As for the rest of our leaders, it was the educated (both rich and poor) who led the Revolution. There were no really downtrodden mobs anyone could incite to that level of bloodshed.

In France you had a poorly educated populace of have-nots who were easily spurred to violence by poverty and speeches. They nearly wiped out all the educated class before they were done so true democracy could not come in.

Answer 9

Faux is definitely not alternative. It's the mainstream corporate press. Look at Jenny's post if you want to see examples of the alternative press. I just realized you said "alternate media." Hahaha...what a maroon.

Answer 10

The way it was produced and then pitched to or sold to the taxpayers of the day. Its the same as our oogie boogie be afraid , be very very afraid insurgent,terrorist, freedom fighters, depends on who's making the pitch and what they have to gain.