What did French Revolutionaries borrow from American founding documents?

French Revolutionaries were heavily influenced by the principles of freedom that emerged from American founding documents, particularly the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. These documents emphasized individual rights, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, which resonated deeply with the French ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity.

The American Revolution had demonstrated the possibility of overthrowing a monarchy in favor of a government that was accountable to the people, inspiring French revolutionaries to seek similar changes in their own society. They adopted the concept that government derives its power from the consent of the governed, leading to a strong emphasis on civil liberties and human rights in the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

While the other options may seem relevant in different historical contexts, they do not capture the core philosophical inspiration that the revolutionaries took from American ideology. Military strategies and monarchical structures do not align with the revolutionary goals of establishing a republic based on democratic principles. Additionally, religious doctrines, while significant in some historical contexts, were not a primary focus for the revolutionaries who were more concerned with secular governance and civil rights. Thus, the principles of freedom were the essential borrowing that shaped their revolutionary activities and documents.