How did the American and French Revolutions, through their principles and consequences lay the groundwork in shaping the modern world? Elucidate

The French monarchy plundered the American Revolution of 1776 and it became a cause of debt and areason for the French Revolution of 1789.

Principles yielded by the Revolutions:

1. Concept of Rights:

2. Concept of equality: these truths to be self evident—that all men created equal

4. Ideology republicanism:

5. Concept of private property: USA and French State could not confiscate

Consequences shaping modern world:

1. Concept of government by of and/or the people—a democracy.

2. Groundwork for industrial capitalism flourishing. Eg: consumerism, factory based production—linked to private property.

3. Concept of individualism—from rights and freedoms.

4. Secularism ideas—withdrawal of religion from State.

5. Modern nation—State ideas—national consciousness via cult of republic.

6. Separation of powers—concept of justice, against morality and autarcy.

Thus, both revolutions sought to change laws societies were governed—even though slaves were considered property in USA and the reign of terror existed in France. However, the ideas that fuelled them still remain relevant.