If the American Revolution had not occured, would there have been the French Revolution?

Question

or if it had failed?

This is not for homework as I'm way beyond that stage in my life. lol. I was just curious after watching the movie Marie Antoinette,

I know they were 2 different events but they were very close as far as the time line was concerned. Also remember that Ben Franklin had been to France in order to gain support for the Revolution. I also know that Thomas Jefferson was sympathetic to the future "revolutionaries".

Actually, it was better than I thought it was going to be. I'd recommend it.

Answer 1

Yes, the French Revolution would have occurred regardless of what happened across the Atlantic.

The French Revolutionary movement may have gotten some inspiration from the Americans. (The US Constitution was being published in Parisian shops within months after it was drafted in the States), and the Marquis de Lafayette and other liberal members of the French Nobility had fought alongside the Americans and brought the Americans' ideas for democracy back to France with them.

For the most part though, the French Revolution was entirely a domestic development. Just look at all the factors leading up to Storming of Bastille, which marked the start of French Revolution:

1. Grain shortage across the country was leading to widespread starvation.
2. The nation's countless wars under Louis XVI's predecessors left the nations debt at astronomical amounts, which could not be alleviated through the inefficient tax system.
3. The use of a feudal tax system, whereby the Church and the Nobility were exempt from paying taxes was still in use.
4. The conspicuous consumption of the nobility and the royal family, which fed the anti-monarchist propaganda machine.
5. The obvious resistance to change by the Royal Family and most of the nobility. (The firing by the king of his finance minister Jacques Necker, a champion for the people and tax reform)

The French Revolution would still have come about regardless of the outcome across the Atlantic. No doubt if the American Revolution had ended in failure, the French people would have been more outraged that the King had thrown so much money and sent the nation into further debt fighting a war that was lost and didn't benefit the French people to begin with.

Edit: The fool above my post doesn't know history at all.
The French Tricolour flag is derived from the Seal of the City of Paris (Red and Blue stripes) which represents the French People, separated by the White of the French King (White was the colour of the Bourbon Monarchy)

Answer 2

no they where not very close at all, only in Name, and the colors of the flag. the French had a far better song also. the French revolution was an internal upheaval that resulted in the execution of it's royal family and many of the royal court, adviser,clergy and wealthy class, it was in fact more of a class war. the American Revolution was because the British citizens where not given any legal redress for any grievances, they had no say in court about matter of state, particularly the leveeing of taxes, boarding troops, and the royal government taking of goods and property for the use of the British government with out compensation. the American colonist (all British citizens) had had enough, they where through arguing and trying to do it through legal channels, and since it was taxation without representation, that was the straw that broke the camels back. NO royal family members or the members of the royal court where in fear for there lives, none where executed, so they where very different in purpose and results . the Us establish a democratic republic, with an elected government. the French adopted a republic with a dictator (napoleon), there was no vote or say by the people.
the American revolution can be compared to some \a maturing children, wanting to leave the family nest,, tired of it's parental rules, and having no say in matters, declaring there independence by walking out the door, and wrestling with relatives to get out of the yard. and getting there own partment, and job and living on there own, and never turning there back o nwho there parents where, and keeping close ties and visting once in a while, and helping each other when bullies would start some crap with one or the other (wars). whereas the French revolution was like several abused children killing there parents, and then going of to live at the control freak of a neighbors house where they could at least have something to eat once in a while., denying any association with the dead family members, and screaming how free the are, all the time becoming a neighborhood punching bag for bullies (Germany mainly) because of a weak goverment.

Answer 3

The American Revolution had nothing to do with the French Revolution. They were two distinct events. You do understand the American Revolution was not the first in history yes?

No to the 'major history buff,' the French had more of an impact on the American Revolution than vice versa. And the French flag was influenced by the Valois dynasty in the medieval period, long before America was even colonized, whose flag was red, blue, and gold (which like white, symbolizes wealth and purity).

Answer 4

Yes. The two events are very different. The French revolution occured as a struggle of classes against a rigid feudal system, in this case the peasant classes against the aristocracy. It was a struggle within one society. The American Revolution, although also directed against the ruling classes and aristocracy, was also a struggle of a colonial society against Imperialist oppression.

Answer 5

Many of the people who were in the American revolution were major contributors to the French revolution. If you ever have any doubt as to the fact that our revolution didn't affect the French revolution, simply look at the colors of the French flag. Red, White, and Blue. It isn't simply a coincidence. Our colors were copied by the French as a symbol of freedom.
I hope that this helps.

Answer 6

Yes. It was all to do with the social conditions in France.
The French peasants new little of the American Revolution.

Answer 7

I'd say no. The main spark for the French Revolution was the French seeing how effective it could be (from the Americans). Take that away and you just have fuel...nothing to start it with.

Answer 8

Wow, you won't get an intelligent answer out of me, but you will get a star. The American Revolution did inspire the French, but they were pretty fed up anyhow. It's anybody's guess.

Answer 9

well france kind of took a view that if they could do it, we can too. but i think it would have happened no matter what, lots of problems over there during that time, and somthing had to give.

Answer 10

I think there might have been a french revulution, but we are the ones who inspired it, so it mmight not have happened. idk..tell me was it any good, I was thinking of seeing it.