Which revolution is more historically significant? The French revolution or the American revolution?

Question

It was a discussion brought up in my European history class.

Answer 1

Both are significant historically, however I would give the nod to the American Revolution because it did break ground on concepts which were only presented by philosophers and economists such as Adam Smith prior to 1775.

The real significance comes later, when the American Republic adopted the Constitution in 1789. This document was something completely new and unheard of in the development of Western civilization. It has served as a model for many later republics.

The French Revolution did not accomplish its initial goal of freeing people from the tyranny of the monarchy. While it did depose the Bourbon kings it led to a succession of kings and emperors, including Napoleon, who did not have freedom as a primarily goal but rather sought to subjugate larger areas of Europe.

Both revolutions changed the direction of politics and civilization in the west, but the French Revolution was a precursor to other historical events while the American Revolution established a totally new concept of nationhood.

The American Revolution also had a significant impact on the British Empire, forcing them to turn their attentions from the New World to Asia and Africa. This changed the economy and had the effect of strengthening British power.

I suppose there would be other people who might intelligently argue in favor of the French Revolution, and that would make this discussion fascinating.

Answer 2

I side with Warren D. could not have said it better.
The American revolution disposed monarchical rule, and the ideals of the revolution were but down in the constitution, a Republic was established, and individual freedoms were guaranteed by those rights.
The French managed to dispose a King for another King the Republican ambitions that set forth the revolution were never realized, and a horrible slaughter was the result, until order was established by Napoleon, even then the slaughter did not stop for France embarked upon a campaign of European conquest.
So with the American Revolution there was a definite change in political systems, rule was established by a codex the "US Constitution" which individual freedoms were guaranteed, critical of these were the rights of free speech, the right to vote, the right of religious freedom, the fact that a president was elected and that elections happen after the first. How many revolutionaries lead an army, won a revolution, became the leader, and then stepped down. There is very few.
The French replaced a King with an emperor, and then everything was as before. The only item of significant is the Codex Napoleon.

Answer 3

Well I'd have to say the American Revolution for a number of reasons. First because of the super power that America is now. We are the LONE Superpower in the world. I would go out on a limb and say possibly more than a superpower but the 4th Empire (or reich). American revoltion triggered the downfall and ultimate collapse of the British Empire, the re-establishment of France to a legitimacy (although the french revolution would later trigger the Louisiana Purchase, but the Latter wouldn't have been able without the Former.) While the French revolution had a variant of small ripples on the structure of Western Europe, it's undeniable the effect that the founding of the United States had, the inventions to have come out of the United States, as well as the ideologies. Without the US you have a world possibly run by British, or German nazis, or Soviet Communists, no electricity, no airplane or baseball, no a-bomb, no nuclear energy, no stop light. Whereas the French revolution just revolutioned the Aristocratic ways leading for the eventual democritization of Britian and the unification of Germany, and the defeat and enslavement of many Spanish.

Answer 4

I believe it was the American Revolution because it was one of the reasons that the French Revolution took place.

Answer 5

I would say the American revolution. Simply because the French revolution wouldn't have be the same without it. Just look at the declaration of human rights. They are almost identical.

Answer 6

The American Revolution. America went directly into a democracy under George Washington, who refused to become king. France, on the other hand, allowed Napoleon to become their Emperor, which is a status no different from being "king." Then they allowed Louis' nephew to take over, and then Napoleon III. The US made a seamless transition.

Answer 7

You can hardly call the french revolution, a revolution you may call it the great French blood bath if you wish. but i think it was the American.

Answer 8

Ours. It started a "domino effect" that rolled around the World for years... And one of those "dominos" was the French Revolution.

Answer 9

Everything in context, so since it's European History then the overthow of a European government is more significant.

Answer 10

This has to be the american revolution.