(c) Influence of the American Revolution

The struggle for independence of the British colonies in America from their motherland, gripped the imagination of the French public from the outset.  The philosophers and their followers were enthusiastic about the American Declaration of Independence, and in particular about its claim to the “natural rights of man”.  This mentality was not confined to the bourgeoisie.  Members of the French aristocracy, who were to become the leaders of the liberal elements during the first phase of the French Revolution, served as officers in the American army. Possibly more important than the relatively small officers’ corps, was the rest of the 1800 French veterans who assisted the colonists.

 They returned to their fatherland as followers of liberty and avowed critics of the existing government of France after they had seen how the common man in America was a free tenant on his land and enjoyed his prosperity and freedom.  Various historians contend, in fact, that in those areas in France where there was a geographical concentration of those French veterans from the American Revolution, the beginning of the French Revolution was more radical than elsewhere. Whatever influence the American Revolution may have had on the mentality of its French participants, the most important point is surely the fact that France’s participation dramatically doubled the French Royal debt, which also contributed to the crisis of 1789.