Ce n’est pas une revolte, c’est une revolution!
“Your Majesty! They have stormed the Bastille!” exclaimed King Louis XVI’s aide.
“Is this a revolt?” asked the king.
“No, sire, it’s a revolution.”
On July 14, 1789, a huge, angry mob marched to the Bastille, a high security prison that symbolized royal tyranny, searching for gun powder and prisoners that had been taken by the unpopular and detested King, Louis XVI (Time Life 1999). The flying rumors of attacks from the government and the biting truth of starvation were just too much for the fuming crowds. The Bastille had been prepared for over a week, anticipating about a hundred angry subjects. But nothing could have prepared the defenders for what they met that now famous day. Along the thick rock walls of the gargantuan fortress and between the towers were twelve more guns that were capable of launching 24-ounce case shots at any who dared to attack. However, the enraged middle class population of Paris was too defiant and too livid to submit to the starvation and seeming injustice of their government (Time Life, 1999). It was the first time in European history that a group of commoners had overpowered the nobility. The storming of the Bastille on July 14th, 1789, has inspired other peoples to fight tyranny and gain independence from their oppressors. Given that the masses in other lands and at other times shared many of the problems that the French revolutionaries faced explains the widespread influence and symbolism of the Fall of the Bastille.
The main cause of the French Revolution involved the differences between the three different social classes in France (Soboul, 1977). This class structure left over from the ancien regime, the Middle Ages, consisted of three orders known as estates. The First Estate, the clergy, made up less than 1 percent of the population but owned about 20 percent of the land. The Second Estate, the nobles occupied about 4 percent of the population and also owned 20 percent of the land. The Third Estate, the working middle class, made up 95 percent of the population and paid all the taxes needed to pay off the debts that Louis XIV had left behind because he had spent his country‘s money to aid the American revolution as to embarrass the British. It is ...
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...he overthrow of the Shah Reza Pahlavi of Iran and of President Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines. In all these instances, the ordinary people of those countries accused their leaders of being completely out of touch with the needs of their people, of living in great luxury while the people suffered from a lack of basic necessities. The French Revolution could also be compared to the Russian Revolution of 1917. The people took over the government and the royal family was executed. Both countries’ economic problems were similar. Both countries’ kings meant to do well for their countries but were deviated from doing so by their naïveté.
The fall of the Bastille did not start the French Revolution. After all, the revolution had underlying causes which were at work and in evidence long before July 14, 1789. Social discontent, inequality, fiscal crisis, enlightenment thinkers, these all contributed to the making of the French revolution (Hunt, 1992). However, in all events such as the revolution we retrospectively point to a single event that can stand for all the different meanings of the French Revolution, and so we choose the storming of the Bastille.
First, the French Revolution was a result of the failed estate system and the extreme economic and social inequality it led to. Under the rule of Louis XVI, the people of France were divided into three main social classes or estates as they are called. The First Estate featured wealthy members of the Church such as Bishops and Priests who held great political power due to their influence on government affairs. The Second Estate was a class comprised of the wealthy nobles and
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.
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.
Political factors, whilst somewhat significant in contributing to the causes of the French Revolution, cultural, social as well as economic factors were equally if not more crucial in causing the French Revolution. Whilst political factors highlighted the weaknesses of the French Monarch system and ultimately led to the establishment of the First Republic in France, it was only partially responsible for the overthrow of the monarchy. Conversely, cultural and social factors led to significant events such as the Storming of the Bastille, March upon Versailles, Flight to Varennes as well as the Reign of Terror. Moreover, economic factors such as France’s financial crisis and bankruptcy prompted significant events such as the meeting of the Estates
One cause of both Revolutions was that people from all social classes were discontented. Each social class in France had its own reasons for wanting a change in government. The aristocracy was upset by the king’s power while the Bourgeoisie was upset by the privileges of the aristocracy. The peasants and urban workers were upset by their burdensome existence. The rigid, unjust social structure meant that citizens were looking for change because “all social classes…had become uncomfortable and unhappy with the status quo.” (Nardo, 13) Many believed that a more just system was long overdue in France.
It is said that revolutions are the manifestations of an anarchic mentality that is fostered through widespread oppression on a variety of scales. This anarchic mentality is most evident in the infamous French Revolution of 1789. During the late 16th century, a schism began to grow between the aristocracy and the commoners in France. The common people of France wanted a government that better represented them than the monarchy, which was the ruling power. During this time, France had instituted a practice of dividing sections of their societies into what they called “three estates”. The “three estates” set specific boundaries on what people’s statuses were in the French Society, and established the competitive nature of class in France. Because of the competitive class structure in France, poor French citizens such as peasants and farmers decided that they wanted to do something about their status, so they took matters into their own hands; they initiated what how has come to be known as the French Revolution. By 1792...
But in reality immigrants are seeking for success for themselves and the Nation as well. They may not have much power but together thay can gain power to make it a better future for the nation and themselves. You may say they are not useful but they are. In the article, “Ten Ways Immigrants Help Build and Strengthen Our Economy” by Jason Forman and Danielle Gray, listed ten ways immigrants help grow the American economy. In some ways they listed that immigrants are more likely to start a business, create jobs for Americans and immigrant workers, create their own jobs, and develop cutting-edge technologies and companies. It stated that 30 percent of immigrants are more likely to start a business, than a non-immigrants. 18 percent of immigrants own a small business in the United States. These small businesses create job opportunities for Americans and immigrant workers. Approximately 4.2 million workers are employed in these small businesses that generated more than $766 billion annually. Also, according to the national venture capital association, 25 percent of public U.S. companies were created by immigrants. For example, Google, eBay, Yahoo!, Sun Microsystems, and Intel. As Jason Furman and Danielle Gray mention in their article “Ten Ways Immigrants Help Build and Strengthen Our Economy”, immigrants are engineers, scientists and innovators and are more likely to receive a high school diploma, demand for local consumer goods, and increase America’s GDP (Gross domestic product). As they indicated in their Article as well, “33 percent of engineers, 27 percent of mathematicians, statisticians, and
The characteristics of a group are determined by its elements. The mob that stormed the Bastille on July 14th, 1789 was a group of citizens that were fierce, enraged, and blood-thirsty. To the people of Paris, the Bastille was a symbol of brutality and totalitarian power. It was hated because of the many stories that had emerged from its walls of horrible torture and brutality. To the people of Paris who stormed the Bastille, the prison which was the symbol of the absolute monarchy which France had been suffering under for so long. They were tired of being treated unfairly and not having a voice in most of the political affairs during the time period. They wanted "life, liberty, fraternity" and were determined to fulfill their wishes of a fair ruling system by means of force or agreement. Unfortunately, citizens had to resort to the use of force to gain what the felt lacked.
Procrastination has become such a bad habit for me. It is very hard to stop procrastinating everything once you have gotten into the habit of doing it. Once I had a term paper due for my religion class. It was to be ten pages long and we were told to spend a lot of time doing it. Being the procrastinator that I am, I waited to the very last minute to do it. I waited until the night before to do most of it. Needless to say, I was up very late that night. In this class there was always a part of the paper due on a certain date before the final paper was due. Having things due before the final paper is due keeps me on task and keeps me from procrastinating until the day before the paper is due. There was one paper which we had to get sources for a while before the paper was due and it forced me to keep up with the paper, rather than let it go to the last minute. This class has taught me that the earlier you start the more positive your final result will be.
During the eighteenth century, France was one of the most richest and prosperous countries in Europe, but many of the peasants were not happy with the way France was being ruled. On July 14, 1789, peasants and soldiers stormed the Bastille and initiated the French Revolution. This essay will analyze the main causes of the French Revolution, specifically, the ineffectiveness of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the dissatisfaction of the Third Estate, and the Enlightenment. It will also be argued that the most significant factor that caused the French Revolution is the ineffective leadership of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
On July 14, 1789, several starving working people of Paris and sixty soldiers seized control of the Bastille, forever changing the course of French history. The seizing of the Bastille wasn’t caused by one event, but several underlying causes such as the Old
It is believed by many that over the last 15 years, we as the human race have been able to look past racial differences around the world and come together as one species. People believe that in the 21st century, all races are seen as equal and not discriminated against, and that concepts like White privilege do not exist. Anthropologist, Ken McGrew, did field work in a city called Coldville, in the state of Wisconsin. He wrote that it is not acceptable to express racist views in a place like Coldville, and that it is a place where White people refuse to believe in racism (2008:121). Within the education system, anthropologists, Rosemarie Roberts, Lee Bell, and Brett Murphy report on the experiences of youth in the New York City education system
...cation and motivation. Finally shared some thoughts on what are effective employees, successful managers, and exemplary citizens.
A. H. C. Chu and J. N. Choi, psychologists, distinguished two types of protracting, they discovered that active procrastination has attainable characteristics that lead to positive personal outcomes (Choi and Moran). These positive personal outcomes are a result of waiting at its finest. People with these adequate dilatory skills have probably learned from their deficient habits in the past that may help everyone know that the view of holding off can change. Writing this essay has changed my view on procrastination slightly, as I can see how it can be good for you. With my siblings, free time is limited. So taking time to do something more entertaining helps me take a break from stressful work. Then when I get back to it I feel more confident that I can focus and finish it. That’s an example of active procrastination for me. Frank Partnoy shows historical views on procrastination, in an article about his book, such as how “The Greeks and Romans generally regarded procrastination highly. The wisest leaders embraced procrastination and would basically sit around and think and not do anything unless they absolutely had to” (Gambino 2012). Those Romans and Greeks were able to enjoy their time of relaxation, using procrastination as a healthy tool rather than a bad habit. Even wise leaders used it! What an amazing realization that we get procrastination from
Procrastination can be a major problem in both your career and your personal life because procrastination is the thief of time. When you keep putting off things, they keep piling up and getting in your way of achieving other things. Then you have missed opportunities, frenzied work hours, feel stressed, guilt and resentment; you find you are being overwhelmed easily because there is just so much to do.