Both the American and French Revolutions come from the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment. However, they come from different schools of thoughts. The American Revolution was influenced by the Scottish School, which believed in Free Markets and Individualism. The French revolution was influenced by French School, which believed in the radical transformation of society via the State. The difference between the two was stark and the effects are still felt today. The Progressive Ideologies of Marxism, Stalinism, Nazism, Maoism, Fascism, the 3rd World Liberation Movement, Neo Wilsonian Compassionate Conservatism, the British Tory Progressive Conservatism and the American New Left all are inspired by the Jacobins and Robespierre.
The American Revolution is the major influence for the Conservative and Libertarian Ideologies which are based on Individualism.
In the video below, Glenn Beck contrasts the difference between the American and French Revolutions. Beck shows the roots of Progressivism and all the Ideologies spawned by it.
Tags: American Revolution, French Revolution, Glenn Beck, Jacobins, Robespierre
