Could a revolution like the French Revolution happen in the United States? Why or Why not? What conditions exist in the U.S. that are similar to France in the late 18th century? What conditions are different? Thomas Jefferson, who was a admirer of France said, “a little rebellion now and again is a good thing.” Do you agree?
Russ in NOVA
Favorite Answer
France was a Monarchy with a very class-based society and little means to improve one's station in life. The US is a democratic republic with constitutionally guaranteed rights and, though imperfect, people do have opportunities to better their lives. So at the moment conditions are not like France's. There are many other differences in modern society that would make any possible revolution something other than a French-like one.
Technically the French revolution was not a "little" rebellion. The term rebellion can be very broad. Peaceful protests and civil disobedience are forms of rebellion, both are generally a good thing. The French revolution reign of terror resulted in the execution of 40,000 people, with revolutionaries turning on each other, and it lead to the rise of Napoleon who was responsible for somewhere between 3 and 6 million deaths in Europe.
So I agree 100% if the "rebellion" is peaceful and fighting unjust laws. If a rebellion becomes violent, then one has to balance the violence against the cause AND the actual result including the unintended consequences.
Anonymous
It Did the Revolutionary war
followed by the Civil war
Anonymous
No it could not. There are no conditions in America now to what there were in France at the time of the revolution