Born into a French aristocrat in 1757, Lafayette was soon orphaned shortly after his father died in the Seven Years' War and his mother died of illness. He inherited a large sum of money from both sides of a wealthy family, making him one of france's richest citizens at the age of 13. He could have lived a life of extreme luxury, growing up at the peak of versailles under Marie Antionette, but despite his great privileges, Lafayette could not ignore the impoverished tertiary struggle. Although nobles, priests, and soldiers were free to enjoy great wealth, they depended on the labor of the working class, which was the only one who needed to pay taxes, although their wages were low and some were even starved to death.
At just 19 years old, Lafayette gave up his position in front of him, bought a ship to go to the United States, and joined the revolution against the British monarchy. He was fascinated by the ideal of democracy and believed that if he could prove that the American people could be free, he could bring that message back to France and liberate himself.
"When I first learned the significance of this quarrel, my heart was a passionate supporter of the cause of freedom" – Lafayette
It turns out that this is easier said than done. First, Lafayette skipped a step when it came to getting permission from his family because he was an idealistic teenager. Needless to say, Louis XVI disagreed with the idea that the French nobility would raise their arms against the English monarchy. Remember when Lafayette's father died in the Seven Years' War? Yes, the French still haven't recovered from the defeat of the war, and won't be able to fight another battle with their old enemies anytime soon.
Lafayette was an outlaw who prayed that his fate would not change. Despite his admiration for the famous General George Washington, the Americans forbade the French to run for their election. French soldiers appeared in droves, hoping to earn an easy rank and a large amount of pay for their service. After all, these immigrants were trained soldiers and should therefore be paid better than farmers and ordinary workers. Washington, however, did not allow mercenaries to enter his army, and the general, who had been through something before the Seven Years' War, was outspoken about his hatred of the French.
In addition to the seven battles he fought and commanded, Lafayette played an important role in the struggle for independence, as he was on a par with Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams in France. Although Louis XVI was furious at first, the story of the brave Lafayette captivated the French public, who soon saw the United States' war for independence as a good way to regain the British throne. The king gave his full support to the Patriots, sending ships, weapons, and money to turn the tide and ultimately win the American victory.
After the End of the Revolutionary War, Lafayette returned to France and, together with Thomas Jefferson, wrote the Declaration on the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which called for equality, democracy and a definitive end to monarchy. Lafayette willingly renounced the title of Marquis and led the offensive against the Bastille on July 14, 1789, the first general strike during the long and bloody French Revolution. To this day, this symbol of liberation still hangs in the entrance hall of Mount Vernon. Lafayette then took over as commander-in-chief of the National Guard, making him one of the most powerful men in France after the fall of the king and queen.
However, the revolutionary spirit of the United States was soon defeated in France, and Lafayette opposed the beheading of the nobility, seeking a less violent solution. After being seen as supporting Louis XVI and Antionette, he was imprisoned as a political prisoner. Fortunately, he was released five years later and further excused Napoleon after the revolution stopped.
Later, Lafayette became more popular in the United States than in France, although he contributed more to the end of the monarchy in his home country. After the war, he returned to the United States only once in the summer of 1824. When he arrived in New York, an estimated 80,000 Americans came to greet him. He traveled around the United States and received gifts, honors, and admiration. Ten years later, when he died, he was buried on American soil.