1. Time to Compare and Contrast
American Revolution
vs. French Revolution
Source: “Washington Crossing the Delaware.”
Source: “Storming of the Bastille.”
Source: “Death of Robespierre”
How Were
the American Revolution and
the French Revolution
SIMILAR and DIFFERENT?

2. SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND FRENCH REVOLUTIONS
Enlightenment ideals: natural rights, liberty, equality, etc.
Overthrew government that didn’t protect rights
People upset because not represented in government
Caused by financial crisis (war debts)
Similar “declarations” (“Independence” & “Rights of Man”)
Citizens influenced by press/literature

3. DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE AMERICAN AND FRENCH REVOLUTIONS
AR- COLONIAL struggle for independence
FR- CLASS struggle against oppression
AR- LIGHT taxes
FR- HEAVY taxes on 3rd Estate
AR- Foreign nations SUPPORTED
FR- Foreign nations OPPOSED
AR- Lack of popular violence
FR- EXTREME popular violence (riots, massacres, guillotine, etc).
AR- Supported by many Protestant preachers
FR- Opposed to the Catholic Church
AR- Ended with a stable republic
FR- Ended with a dictator (Napoleon)

4. YOUR CHOICE “Those who would give up essential Liberty,
You are living in the late 1700s.
Would you have rather lived through the American Revolution or the French Revolution?
Why?
FACT: The Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Paine were both heroes in the American Revolution, but almost lost their heads during the French Revolution.
Treasure your American freedoms!
They have been bought at a high price.
“Those who would give up essential Liberty,
to purchase a little temporary Safety,
deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
Benjamin Franklin