caused massive taxes upon all social and political classes of the time.6 One could only imagine the hatred towards the government people of that time must have felt, through the increased pains of starvation. However, the world at the time could not have expected the turmoil that gave rise to the upheaval of the French revolution.
With the outbreak of rebellion, and eventual execution of Louis XVI in January 1793. The Committee of Public Safety imposed a dictatorship, which was later named “The Reign of Terror.” There were estimates ranging from 16,000 to 40,000 civilians executed by revolutionary tribunals.7 The committee focused on the abolishment of slavery, de-Christianizing society, and the securing borders. After the Thermidorian reaction,
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Napoleon, who became the hero of the Revolution, through his military campaigns, went on to create the Consulate and after that, the First Empire. The modern era has unfolded
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6. Palmer, R.R. & Colton, Joel A History of the Modern World pp. 393–97
7. Matusitz, Jonathan Symbolism in Terrorism: Motivation, Communication, and Behavior, p. 19
8. Palmer, R.R. & Colton, Joel A History of the Modern World pp. 393–97 in the shadow of the French Revolution. Almost all future revolutionary movements looked back to the Revolution as their predecessor.9 Its central phrases and cultural symbols La Marseilaise, Liberte, Fraternite, Egalite, and Ou La Mort. Became the clarion call for other major upheavals in modern history, including the Russian Revolution over a century
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Ibid., 361.
10. Dmitry Shlapentokh, The French Revolution and the Russian Anti-Democratic Tradition (Edison, NJ: Transaction Publishers, 1997), pp. 220–28
11. A. Aulard in Arthur Tilley, ed. (1922). Modern France. A Companion to French Studies. Cambridge UP. p. 115.
The Revolution took witness to the birth of total war by organizing the resources of France and the lives of its citizens towards the objective of military conquest.12 Some of its central documents, like the Declaration of the Rights of Man, expanded the arena of human rights to include women and slaves. Leading into movements for abolitionism and universal suffrage in the next century.13
The Age of Enlightenment, sometimes called the Age of Reason, refers to the time of the guiding intellectual movement, called The Enlightenment. It covers about a century and a half in Europe. Beginning with the publication of Francis Bacon’s Novum Organum (1620) and ending with Immanuel Kant’s ‘Critique of Pure Reason’ (1781). From the perspective of socio-political phenomena, the period is considered to have begun with the close of the Thirty Years’ War (1648) and ended with the French Revolution
Clearly there never was just one French Revolution, but rather a series of revolutions. These occurred while the French struggled to create a new political and social system – one that would follow principles radically different to that of the ‘ancient’ regime. There were five regimes during the French Revolution between 1787 and 1800. However, despite this fragmented revolution, the same fundamental principles guided most of the revolutionaries involved. These principles included equality under law, centralisation of government, elimination of feudal rights, religious freedom and careers open to talent, not birth.
The French revolution was a significantly dangerous time period because of the chaos and conflict that took place in the streets France, resulting in the mass slaughter of thousands of innocent people. Within the revolution, there were many characters who took part in resolving the conflicts that had arisen. One thing that sparked the revolution was the shortage of food caused by a drought which lead to the bread prices going up since most were too poor to afford food at the new price people started revolting against their government in hopes to be heard and treated fairly while many were still dying of hunger. Within the revolution, there were figures such as George Danton, Jean Bailly and Reine Audu who contributed in the development and
“Society was cut in two: those who had nothing united in common envy; those who had anything united in common terror.” The French Revolution was a painful era that molded the lives of every citizen living in France and changed their ways of life forever. Beginning in 1789 and lasting ten years until 1799, the people of France lived in a monarch society under King Louis XVI’s rule. He was a very harsh ruler and had many restrictions placed on his people. They eventually overthrow him and become a monarch society. Among his deceptive ways, the people also experienced “The Reign of Terror,” which was a period where many lives were taken by the guillotine. Other revolutionary events included rebellions, constitutions, and groups. One of the popular groups that contributed greatly to the French Revolution were the Jacobins who were led by Maximilien Robespierre.
Over time, historians’ views on these questions have changed continually, leading many to question the different interpretations and theories behind the Revolutions effectiveness at shaping France and the rest of the world.
Unlike the leaders of America, the leaders of the French did not turn out to be as positive for the country. In fact, some of these leaders caused much more harm than good. These leaders taught the French people more about what type of government would be the best option for them. One of the most radical, and extreme leaders was Maximilien Robespierre. The duration of his dictatorship was known as "Reign of Terror." He demanded a republic and soon after his demands; the monarchy was overthrown. He also felt that a constitutional government would have to wait until all the enemies of the revolution have been eliminated. To accomplish this task, he murdered close to 40,000 people, most by guillotine, and some sentenced to life in jail. The Reign of Terror was one of the most controversial, and terrifying phases of the Revolution. Some French colonists thought it to be a path to democracy; others thought it was just a attempt for Robespierre to assume dictator. The other great leader was Napoleon Bonaparte. He believed that the only way to have control in France was to put a limit on democracy. Over a period of time Napoleon 's party overthrew Robespierre 's party. Soon enough, Napoleon was dictator of France. The French soldiers who fought in the American Revolution came back from the war with new ideas and reason for revolution. These ideas included the right to take up arms against tyranny, all men should
1. Why and how did the French Revolution take a radical turn entailing terror at home and war with European powers?
Furet, Francois ‘Napoleon Bonaparte’ in G, Kates(ed.) The French Revolution: Recent Debates and New Controversies Clarendon Press, Oxford (1997)
The French Revolution impacted society by allowing the people to have rights and the ability to not be controlled and taken advantage of by the Aristocracies. Regardless of the work performed, each person and family would have their needs met so that nobody would suffer without food, shelter or medical care. It took years for the French Revolution to come to an end. Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost so that the survivors could obtain a better life for themselves and future generations. People whom thought that they could not make a change or a difference became inspired by the wisdom of the philosophers. The philosophers promoted education and intelligence through many different aspects. Most importantly, the people were taught how to stand up for what they believed in and not to be controlled or intimidated by the society that ranked above them in power, wealth and control. The French Revolution did indeed bring about philosophical and political changes, and most certainly promoted the growth of a new
In addition to the economic issues, France also held an Estate System that led to heavy social inequality. This oppression of the Third Estate along with the financial problems that fell on the common people would lead to the French Revolution. Overall, the people of France revolted against the monarchy because of the unsuccessful estate system and the inequality it led to, because of the new enlightenment ideas that inspired them, and because of the failures of the monarchy. First, the French Revolution was a result of the failed estate system and the extreme economic and social inequality it led to.
Herbert, Sydney. The Fall of Feudalism in France. New York: Barnes & Noble, 1969. Print.
Liberté, égalité, fraternité, this was the motto of the French Revolution. It was coined by Pierre Leroux in 1838. The years 1779-1789 saw everything from the first constitution of France being drawn up, to the “Reign of Terror” in which the symbolic guillotine proved to be both the judge and the executioner. The Revolution initially started in an attempt to make the king answer to the people, in an attempt to overthrow the absolutist role and in an attempt to gain equality in all areas including taxation. The financial crisis was a burden to heavy to bear for the Third Estate. The people grew hungry which swiftly turned to rage. The lack of results led to the end of the monarchy and the execution of both King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette. However, despite the bloodshed, the ideals that the French were fighting for were alive in their hearts. Liberty is the freedom to think or act without being constrained by necessity or force. In France, people were seeking liberty from the tyrannical rule of the monarch in which the Queen was using taxes to endow herself in riches. The second ideal, equality, consists of rights, treatment, quantity, or value equal to all others in a specific group. This meant getting rid of the hierarchical system and ensuring that nor the Church or nobles were exempt from taxation. The last ideal, brotherhood, means a group of people with feelings of friendship and mutual support between them. The French lacked this during the Revolution. Civil disobedience was present and very few showed camaraderie towards one another. Ten years of hardship, striving towards one common goal, sacrificing thousands of lives the French achieved what they set out to do. With great willpower and with the help of a benefac...
A society that was built on equality was the main goal in an important political movement. The Enlightenment ideas and philosophers acted as the stepping stones for a new foundation to be constructed. The influenced third estate radically changed France by abolishing the old habits of the corrupt regime and replaced it with a new, sustainable one. The Enlightenment progressed the French Revolution by influencing the French Revolutionists and by creating important documents. The ideas of Locke and constitutionalism, Montesquieu and government change, Voltaire's ideas on equality, and Beccaria on unjust torture, all these ideas pushed the French Revolution forward. The people of France began to believe in this system of belief that would save their country from despair. This belief system resulted in them revolting and advocating for change. Abby Sieyes' document helped kick start the desire for rising up, and then followed the Tennis Court Oath and the Declarations of the Rights of Man which implemented the existence of the revolution. The ideas of these Enlightenment thinkers in the French Revolution is evident, and although the ideas of Rousseau influenced Robespierre to halt the revolution, the end of his reign of terror also disrupted the radicalism. Thus, it cannot be doubted that the ideologies of the Enlightenment period progressed the success of the revolution in
[7] Hunt, Lynn. Politics, Culture, and Class in the French Revolution. Berkeley: U of California, 1984. Print.
Nardo, Don. A. The French Revolution. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. Print.
Causes and Effects of the French Revolution The Revolution. The major cause of the French Revolution was the disputes between the different types of social classes in French society. The French Revolution of 1789-1799 was one of the most important events in the history of the world. The Revolution led to many changes in France, which at the time of the Revolution, was the most powerful state in Europe. The Revolution led to the development of new political forces such as democracy and nationalism.