The American Revolution wasn't about this idea, it was about money. Money comes into play in both scenarios. There wasn't enough money for the French and the monarchs were living the high life. This was not the case in America, but England taxed Americans unfairly. These were different issues but both related to the economy. And while there are stark differences, it was the Enlightenment movement that changed everything and brought both of these struggles into alignment. According to Hampson (1968) the period of the Enlightenment was a time when the culture of educated people was thought to encompass all of humanity.