Which ideal was shared between the French and American revolutions?

The ideal that was shared between the French and American revolutions is the concept of democratic-republican government. This concept emphasizes the importance of a government that is representative of the people and accountable to them, rather than one that rules through monarchy or aristocratic control. Both revolutions were fundamentally influenced by Enlightenment ideas that championed individual rights, liberty, and the idea that sovereignty rests with the people.

In the American Revolution, the quest for independence from British rule was grounded in the belief that governments derived their power from the consent of the governed. This led to the establishment of a republic, where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the citizens.

Similarly, the French Revolution sought to overthrow the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI and establish a government that reflected the will of the people. The revolutionaries aimed to create a system where laws and governance were determined by citizen participation and democratic ideals, which ultimately led to the establishment of the French Republic.

In both instances, the aspiration for a democratic-republican system was central to their revolutionary movements, marking a significant shift from traditional monarchical systems.