Why did the American Revolution succeed and the French

North America 1789

Europe 1789

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

USA 

Weaker local competitors

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Native Americans

French Great Britain  Austria- Habsburgs  Russia  Spain  Prussia – Germany  The Dutch 

USA Past History

France Past History

Colonial Rivalries?  Tories – Left for GB  Classes are fluid

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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

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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, 1732 – December 14, 1799

Economic 

USA ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Paper Currency Huge Debt Stable Government Trade No Navy

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France ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦

Gold Currency Massive Debt Weak King Trade Navy

Religion 

USA ◦ Protestant ◦ Little violent history

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France ◦ Catholic and Protestant ◦ Wars of Religion

Military 

USA ◦ No enemies on the border

France Enemies on every border

Left

Center

Right

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Left

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Republic Radicals

Center Limited Monarchy Classic Liberals

18th Century

Right Absolute Monarch Conservatives

Socio-Economic Data, 1789

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 Preamble

The USA Constitution