The Impact of Ideologies on the French Revolution
The ‘San Culottes’, were starving while the wealthy monarchy were
living it up and enjoying a luxurious life. Louis the sixteenth was in
power at this period, and was decreasing the Royal finances at a
dramatic rate. It was quite possible he was unaware how the rest of
society was living. He had no contact with lower classes and it is
quite possible he was totally oblivious to the suffering he was
causing. These peasant classes decided they were going to object to
the way they were being forced to live, and this is how the revolution
came about.
There was no planing behind the revolution and these people were
unaware of the effect it would have throughout Europe and the world.
The revolution began a government financial crisis, but quickly became
a movement of reform and violent change. On July fourteenth, 1789, a
huge crowd of Parisians rushed to the Bastille, now known as the
‘storming the Bastille’. They believed they would find food to feed
themselves and ammunition there, for the use of defending themselves
against the king’s army. “ A truly working class reaction to their
situation would change politics forever”. (C/H French revolution).
King Louis the sixteenth was placed on trial for betraying his
country, he was found guilty of treason. The people voted for the
death penalty, and he was later beheaded (1793).
The peasants had a say in their country’s government and ‘the angry
mob’ was now in power. It was at this time, they first questioned how
they were to govern themselves.
“Through revolutionary ideology and institutional change, the
bourgeoise gained a po...
... middle of paper ...
...wer of the national state. The
Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars tore down the ancient structure of
Europe, hastened the advent of nationalism, and changed forever the
era of modern society. It has been said, that it had an extraordinary
influence on the making of the modern world, as we know it.
Furthermore ideologies such as Liberalism and Secularism which may
have effected Europe in the 19th century, are now being played out in
South Africa and Asia. Therefore I would agree with the opening
question of this essay, the ideologies which emerged from the French
Revolution have had a greater impact than the actual events which took
place.
Bibliography
(C/H) The French revolution.
http://www.worldhistory.com/france.htm
Doyle, W. (2001). The French Revolution. 1st ed. Oxford: Oxford
University Press.
“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.
would change became reality. This was a threat to the power of the king. The different
Analyzing the post-revolutionary governments of America and France will prove that the French Revolution was far more revolutionary than the American Revolution, due to the radical change that took place, the type of government implemented after, as well as the Napoleonic Code brought forth by Napoleon Bonaparte.
Beginning in mid-1789, and lasting until late-1799, the French Revolution vastly changed the nation of France throughout its ten years. From the storming of the Bastille, the ousting of the royal family, the Reign of Terror, and all the way to the Napoleonic period, France changed vastly during this time. But, for the better part of the last 200 years, the effects that the French Revolution had on the nation, have been vigorously debated by historian and other experts. Aspects of debate have focused around how much change the revolution really caused, and the type of change, as well as whether the changes that it brought about should be looked at as positive or negative. Furthermore, many debate whether the Revolutions excesses and shortcomings can be justified by the gains that the revolution brought throughout the country. 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.
Throughout the course of the French Revolution the citizens of France have influenced political change often through violent means, as well as many rulers showed the strongest and weakest points that have provoked the changes. The ideas from the French Revolution had an effect on the political situation of the country as the monarchy was abolished. This then led to a shift of focus from social classes to social equality. Finally with the fall of the old government, the people of the nation were given more rights, as well as power. The French Revolution stirred the politics of France in the right direction through positive change.
The French and American Revolutions were derived amongst similar motivations to better their governments. However, they differ on other levels based on their actions and outcomes. The American and French revolutions both wanted its citizens to be viewed as equals, just as well as allow them to have some natural rights. Sovereignty however is, viewed differently by the two parties. The core reason for each revolution differs, but they both have the same ending results of a declarations document. Both documents are composed based off enlightenment thinkers John Locke’s Second Treatise of Government and Jean Jacques Rousseau’s Social Contract. The Declaration of Independence was mostly Locke’s theory. While the Declaration of the Rights of Man favored both theories.
The French Revolution was a period of radical social and political turmoil in France from 1789 to 1799 that greatly affected the French and modern history, marking the steady decline of powerful monarchies and the rise of democracy and nationalism. The trigger for the revolution was the autocratic government of the King, Louis XVI. With absolute power over the people, the King could make all laws, appoint government officials, wage war on whomever he pleased, and imprison anyone he wished. As a consequence the majority of the citizens became disgruntled and disillusioned with the state and problems that came about which later played a part in causing the revolution. The French revolution was attributed to a number of factors which are identified and discussed below.
During the late 1700's, two great revolutions occurred, the American Revolution and the French Revolution. These two historical events happened at the same time, but had a great number of differences and very little similarity. When French Revolution occurred, it turned into a very violent and bloody event, while the American Revolution was almost nonviolent, aside from the war. In 1774, King Louis XVI made a decision that could have prevented the French Revolution by breathing new life into the French economy: he appointed Physiocrat Robert Turgot as Controller General of Finance.
The French Revolution started in 1787 because the country was going through financial difficulties and there was unrest between the classes of citizens in the country. The differences between the lower class citizens and higher classes, being nobles and the monarchy were great. The citizens had heard of the revolution that went on in the colonies and they also wanted freedom and independence. The real start of the French Revolution was on July 14, 1789, with the storming of the Bastille. Between 1789 1793, a constitution was written, feudalism was abolished, war had broken out, and King Louis XVI was put to death. In late 1793 and early 1794, Maximilien Robespierre became the head of the Committee of Public Safety in France. This was the new governing body in France; it could be compared to the executive branch of a government. Robespierre was a great leader, he ins...
The French Revolution began after some of the great philosophers such as John Locke, Voltaire, and Rousseau were establishing contracts and trying to create a way for people to have a government without a king or at least without a king being in control. The king during that time was King Louie XVI and his queen was a young woman by the name Marie Antoinette. The royal couple was not well liked due to the careless spending and lack of concern for the citizens beneath them. France was on the verge of becoming bankrupt and the crops did very poorly leaving people suffering, starving and fighting for food.
During the late 18th century, the French Revolution took place which completely changed France. French society was in it's worse condition with poverty, unfair systems both socially and politically, and economic declines. The third estate became overwhelmingly unsatisfied of the unfair laws and the privileged classes. With economic failures, the monarch began to tax harshly to the third estate which brought rage among the third estate. From then on powerful and effective actions were taken to rebel against the French government. The French Revolution took place and went through many phases to settle the social, political, and economic problems. The ideals of the French revolution, Liberte, Egalite, and Fraternite were a reflection of the breakdown of the Ancien Regime because of the change and reform of politics, social classes and systems, unfair tax systems, and the economy that occurred during the French Revolution.
They entered a war amongst each other because lower class was challenging the government, which concluded to many people fleeing France to go to Britain and Austria. The king of France, Louis XVI, was charged with treason and guillotined, causing the Reign of Terror, which took place when Maximilien de Robespierre tried to kill over 17000 men and women. As the country of France was declining in government and economy General Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself emperor and fifteen years after the French Revolution, France was ruled under a dictatorship (“French Revolution”). The French Revolution was inspired by the Enlightenment and Declaration of Independence because just as the Americans, the French had been fighting for freedom from the monarchy for not supporting the country of France during a period of debt. The Revolution was based from the ideas of both the Enlightenment and the Declaration of Independence derived from John Locke’s ideals of government. This includes how the people should have a representative in the government and if they are unhappy with the government, they are able to break away to start a new one. In the end, the French had lost the Revolution by having a democratic government, which later transcended into a dictatorship (“Enlightenment
New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.
The essential cause of the French revolution was the collision between a powerful, rising bourgeoisie and an entrenched aristocracy defending its privileges”. This statement is very accurate, to some extent. Although the collision between the two groups was probably the main cause of the revolution, there were two other things that also contributed to the insanity during the French revolution – the debt that France was in as well as the famine. Therefore, it was the juxtaposing of the bourgeoisie and the aristocracy as well as the debt and famine France was in that influenced the French Revolution.
... Soon, King Louis XV had bankrupted the national treasury of France and had left the country in debt. By this time, the monarchs were being frowned upon, so when France was passed onto Louis XVI, people judged him quickly and deemed him a bad king who did not know how to deal with the country’s affairs. The people of France were tired of having kings who repeatedly ignored their problems and needs and were turning against the idea of absolutism, making it one cause of the French Revolution.