The correct answer is: "Both the American and the French revolution were inspired by the Enlightenment principles, and the first served as example to the second"
The Enlighment movement emerged in Europe in the 18th century and it was constituted by philosophers that promoted Reason and the scientific method over medieval superstition and religious dogmas, and the establishment of democratic societies where the power resided on its people, and not in absolute monarchs or rulers "appointed by God". The resulting states that emerged based on the principles of this movement, enacted bills of civil rights for the first time in history, and implemented principles such as the division of powers or the social contract, through which citizens elected their governors by suffrage.
Such Enlightment principles were transferred to the American colonies, where the population claimed for political representation rather than being governed by foreigners that were appointed by a foreign king. Such claims were ignored and the colonies, influenced by the new democratic principles, started several revolutionary movements for independence aiming to establish new independent states based on the Enlightment principles like in Europe.
The success of the American Revolution served as an example that the French followed intending to liberate themselves from their absolute monarchy and aiming to fight for the establishment of democratic principles in their society too.