Question

question 4 of 20
in what way did the economic causes of the american and french revolutions differ?

a. while american colonists used ideas from the enlightenment to justify their revolution, the french revolutionaries rejected the enlightenment in favor of newer, more radical ideas.
b. while american colonists protested against a growing gap between classes, the french revolutionaries believed in completely eliminating all economic and social classes.
c. while american colonists were initially motivated by a desire to establish a new government, the french revolutionaries initially called for only minor reforms to the monarchy.
d. while american colonists objected to paying taxes without having a voice in government, the french revolutionaries fought against a tax system that produced extreme poverty.

Explanation:

• Option A: Both American and French revolutions were influenced by Enlightenment ideas, so A is incorrect.
• Option B: The French revolutionaries aimed at overthrowing the monarchy and changing the class system, but "completely eliminating all economic and social classes" is an overstatement, and the American revolution was about colonial rights, not class gap protest, so B is wrong.
• Option C: The American colonists initially wanted rights within the British Empire (later sought independence), and the French revolutionaries initially wanted major reforms (not just minor) to the monarchy, so C is incorrect.
• Option D: American colonists' economic grievance was "no taxation without representation", and French revolutionaries faced a tax system (with the Third Estate bearing most taxes) leading to poverty, so D correctly states the economic cause difference.

Answer:

D. While American colonists objected to paying taxes without having a voice in government, the French revolutionaries fought against a tax system that produced extreme poverty.