Question

which statement describes a major similarity between the french and american revolutions?
a. both were motivated by a desire to eliminate the enlightenment ideal of popular sovereignty.
b. both were led by groups inspired by liberal ideals that emerged during the enlightenment.
c. both were based on the idea that no member of a society should be bound by a social contract.
d. both were organized to replace absolute monarchies with enlightened monarchies.

Explanation:

The American Revolution was influenced by Enlightenment ideas such as popular sovereignty, natural rights, and the social contract. The French Revolution was also inspired by Enlightenment thinkers. The American Revolution aimed to replace British colonial rule (which had elements of monarchy - like the king's authority over the colonies) with a republic. The French Revolution aimed to overthrow the absolute monarchy in France.

• Option A: Both revolutions were inspired by Enlightenment ideas, not a desire to eliminate the ideal of popular sovereignty.
• Option B: The American Revolution was led by groups (like the Founding Fathers) who were inspired by liberal Enlightenment ideals (e.g., John Locke's ideas on natural rights). The French Revolutionaries were also inspired by Enlightenment thinkers (such as Rousseau on the social contract).
• Option C: Both revolutions were based on the idea of a social contract (the American Revolution - the colonists felt the British had violated the social contract; the French Revolution - the people against the monarchy as a violation of the social contract).
• Option D: The American Revolution was to gain independence from British rule (which was a monarchy - but the aim was not to replace it with an enlightened monarchy. The US became a republic). The French Revolution initially had some who might have wanted a constitutional monarchy, but the main aim was to get rid of the absolute monarchy, not replace it with an “enlightened” one in the long - term (the Reign of Terror and the rise of Napoleon show a more complex post - monarchical path).

Answer:

B. Both were led by groups inspired by liberal ideals that emerged during the Enlightenment.