Egalitarianism Essay

This investigation plans to explore the multiple political parties that existed during the French Revolution and how their doctrines reflected that of the citizens of the French Empire, from 1789 to 1799. This paper will focus upon the ideas of egalitarianism, or the belief in equality.

The approach to this analysis will begin with assessing four prominent parties and clubs of the French Revolution. It is relevant to do this because the beliefs and ideologies of each party can give a better understanding to what the public attitude towards egalitarianism was. While assessing the various parties, the causes of the Revolution become apparent. Once both the causes and parties are assessed, the cross-examination can take place, allowing for analysis of how the parties reflected the citizens beliefs of egalitarianism.

This investigation uses two sources frequently, the Encyclopædia Britannica and Alpha History. Both are accredited tools which concentrate on history of the world. These have provided much of the necessary information to complete this investigation.

Section B: Summary of Evidence (669 words)

Jacobins, Les Enragés, Feuillants, and Legitimists are four of the most prominent parties of the French Revolution. I chose these four, not only because they are prominent, but also because they represent the different degrees of politics of the day and age.

Jacobins were the largest drive behind the French Revolution, it was the most famous and most influential club in France. There were about 7,000 conventions in France and membership is estimated over half-a-million. The group was led by Maximilien de Robespierre, under his leadership the Jacobins ruled the French Government through a period in French history known as the the Re...

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...tution. The Feuillants recognized the need to expand the rights of the third estate and limit the power of the nobility, nevertheless they didn’t want the monarchy to be removed entirely. All of Europe had been run by nobles at that time and to go against that might scare some. The Feuillants did seek egalitarian inspiration towards government, but did not seek it with the same fervor as Les Enragés and the Jacobins. Because the anticipated change was not nearly as drastic as the other two it was not quite as important to the Feuillants, they could at least cope with an authoritarian potentate.

Last, but not least, on the far right are the Legitimists. Legitimists were in favor of keeping the government the same as it was with the Bourbons retaining the crown. Legitimists wanted nothing to change except for the third estate to quiet down and accept their thralldom.