Why did the American Revolution Why did the American Revolution succeed and the French succeed and the French Revolution fail? (PERMITS)Revolution fail? (PERMITS)

North America 1789 Europe 1789

USA French

Weaker local competitors

Native Americans

Great BritainAustria- HabsburgsRussiaSpainPrussia – GermanyThe Dutch

USA Past History France Past History

Colonial Rivalries?Tories – Left for GBClasses are fluid

The Ancient Regime◦ 1000 years Feudalism◦ Three distinct classes of

people

Governmental Disputes

USA◦ Political Parties

No previous history More Moderate Individuals are protected

by constitution Strong Federal

Government George Washington “He will either become the

King or he will become the greatest man in the world” George III

France◦ Political parties

Engrained distrust Radical and violent Constitutional law

suspended because of counter revolutionaries

Louis XVI “ All I want is to be loved”

George Washington February 22, George Washington February 22, 1732 – December 14, 17991732 – December 14, 1799

Economic

USA◦ Paper Currency◦ Huge Debt◦ Stable Government◦ Trade◦ No Navy

France ◦ Gold Currency◦ Massive Debt◦ Weak King◦ Trade◦ Navy

Religion

USA◦ Protestant◦ Little violent history

France◦ Catholic and Protestant◦ Wars of Religion

Military

USA◦ No enemies on the

border

FranceEnemies on every border

Left Center Right Left Center Right

1818thth Century Century

Left Center Right

Republic Limited Monarchy Absolute Monarch

Radicals Classic Liberals Conservatives

Socio-Economic Data, 1789Socio-Economic Data, 1789

The PreambleThe Preamble

We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America

The USA ConstitutionThe USA Constitution