The latter half of the 18th century spawned two notable revolutions:
https://youtu.be/7tpy6T2Cg5w?si=euGxoXzgIVwoinMh
The different results of each social experiment can be summed up by these three reasons:
1. Understanding of human nature:
America: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness
Inalienable rights protect the people from the tyranny of government. The worldview was based on the Judeo-Christian concept of human nature as flawed. Government needs checks and balances, be bound by law, and be subject to religious instruction to restrain corruption.
France: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity
The leaders of the new republic despised religion, with a worldview that reason alone could remake society from the ground up. But forced Equality does not permit liberty or fraternity. Liberty was turned to revenge, resulting in the Reign of Terror and the guillotine.
2. Quality of Leadership
America:
Leaders rose to greatness as the occasion demanded, such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton.
George Washington saw himself as a servant of the republic, resigned his commission at the end of the war, served as president when called upon by the people, and retired after two terms.
France:
Leaders like Maximilien Robespierre, Jean Paul Marat, and Louis de Saint-Just installed a Reign of Terror that inspired monsters, such as Lenin, Stalin, and Trotsky.
The republic descended into anarchy, replaced by a strong man, Napoleon.
3. Experience of Self-Government
America:
Before the revolution, the colonies experienced two centuries of self-government. Hence, at that time, these colonies were the freest in the civilized world, least governed, least taxed, and least bound by class distinction
France:
Before the revolution, class was destiny, most denizens were heavily taxed, and social mobility was impossible. The people had no experience of self-government. In the end, the monarchy was replaced by an emperor.
In conclusion:
The American Revolution since King George III changed the world for the better. This constitutional republic has the oldest written national constitution still in continuous use. (reference: legalknowledgebase.com)
The French Revolution changed the world for the worse. And since Luis XVI, France has had 10 to 13 forms of government, from republics to empires to monarchies to puppet governments under Nazi occupation.
Happy 250th, America!
America's 250th: America 250 Years in the Making
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Photos: Revolution/wikipedia
