Within the Historical sphere, there is no unanimity regarding the impact of the French revolution on the status quo of western Europe. The argument lies that the revolution was insurgent and promoted ideas contrary to conventional belief, thus leaving an enduring impact stemming from nationalism and liberalism, on France and western Europe. In contrast, many individuals affirm the position that the changes yielded from the revolution was reversed by reactionary responses consequently discrediting the revolution's significance to Europe. As a result, I will be evaluating both arguments and will arrive at a measured conclusion, whether the French Revolution (1789) threatened the status quo (state of affairs) in Western Europe and if so how. …show more content…
Kaiser Feudalism and the French Revolution pg-204). Despite these significant issues, Louis XIV’s spending was supported entirely by citizens’ tax due to lack of foreign trade and perpetual debt. The majority of funds was spent to sustain the Palace of Versailles, the spendthrift nobles, and the cumbersome army. These issues and individuals occupied the upper echelon of society, and for Louis XIV, the stability of these factors was indispensable to the security of his absolute power. Ingrained in France economic issues in the eighteenth century was the system of feudalism which is best described as a hierarchy of power in which land constitutes the principal form of wealth and provides the basis for political and social orders as well as economic structures (Candice Goucher, In the Balance: Themes in Global History, chapter 7, pg-2). French society since its medieval time adhered to the feudal system which discouraged France’s “trade and economic growth” and became a hindrance to its “unified government” (Dr. Kip Wheeler …show more content…
Sequentially, the Roman Catholic Church was forced to undergo a radical restructuring. It is pivotal to note that France’s population was predominantly Catholic, however during the Enlightenment period, philosophers asserted that religion was a necessity regarding moral and social order, but the Church in was having excessive power and influence on society and the government. As a result, during the discourse of revolution, Robespierre a radical Jacobin leader who possessed an indispensable role in the French Revolution, led the attempt to reform the church, he was determined, and his quest resulted in cataclysmic upheavals. However, Robespierre’s plan was marred due to his execution in 1794. The Civil Constitution of the Clergy passed in 1790, nonetheless, successfully engendered a remarkable change to
When one looks at France after Napoleon’s reign, it is clear that he had brought much longed for order and stability. He had also established institutions that embodied the main principles of the revolution. However, it is also evident that many of his policies directly contradict those same principles. Was Napoleon betraying the same revolution that gave him power, or was he merely a pragmatist, who recognised that to consolidate the achievements of the revolution he needed to sacrifice some of those principles? Firstly, in order to determine whether Bonaparte betrayed the revolution, it is necessary to define what one means by “the revolution”.
There are many cumulative events that have influenced Western Civilization reflective in today’s modern world, but the most impactful was the French Revolution. Western Civilization has many historic milestones building to the world as we know it, but none set such broad themes that are felt in our everyday life. Many of these themes have become so ingrained into the way we live that we can’t understand a world without them. For this reason, the effects of the French Revolution molded the westernized world more so than any other event. I consider the French Revolution the catalyst to how our world is shaped today. It’s ideas and events continue to echo through our lives century after century.
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.
Le mont de st Michel is located in France. It is it's own city because it is an island on the northwestern coast. Richard 1 of Normandy ruled from 942-966 A.D. When his rule ended that is when Le mont de Saint Michel was ordered to be constructed, he was the man who ordered the church to be constructed. Twelve Benedictine monks came to Le mont in 966 and lead the city. The monks were attacked by Vikings and run out but the local people stayed and the mont was never abandoned. In 927 A.D. William 1 of Normandy took over his father’s title and supported the mont until his assassination in 942 A.D. He left his wealth to the mont and was used to keep the church going. Then the Dukes of Brittany supported the mont until 1008 when they died but were buried as benefactors to the church.
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 started because of an ongoing “fiscal mismanagement contributed to a French society that was ripe for revolt” (Sparknotes). King Louis XVI was falling into a finical crisis, due to extravagant living. So, in panic, he called financial advisers. After a while, each of them was dismissed from their job. Louis XVI was growing desperate, so he called the Estates-General. This assembly was made to represent three Estates, “the First comprised of the clergy, the Second comprised of the nobility and the Third comprised of the middle and lower classes” (EyeWitness). The Third Estate broke off, and became the National Assembly. People who were part of the National Assembly demanded a new constitution, because the first one became a dead letter right after it was established. The Assembly members took an oath called the Tennis
Have you ever wondered what was the French Revolution? Or on the other hand was there a reason you needed to take in more about the interesting history, that is of France? Yet, the genuine inquiry would be, what caused the French Revolution? There is unquestionably more than one, reason that is. Some may state that France needed change. Others may state it is correct and just, that opportunity and extreme rights is something all are conceived with. Correspondingly, I wanna express some background. In the 1700s, France was viewed as the most progressive nation of Europe. It had a vast populace and a prosperous outside exchange. It was the focal point of the Enlightenment, and France's way of life was generally applauded and imitated by an extraordinary
Kreis, S. (2006, October 30). Lecture 11: The Origins of the French Revolution. Lecture 11: The Origins of the French Revolution. Retrieved May 15, 2014, from http://www.historyguide.org/intellect/lecture11a.html
The French Revolution was a period of political upheaval that occurred in France during the latter half of the 18th century. This revolution marked an end to the system of feudalism and the monarchy in France and a rise to democracy and new Enlightenment ideas. By 1789, when the revolution began, France was in a deep financial crisis due to the debt they had obtained over many years of reckless spending and France was nearly bankrupt. These financial issues fell almost completely on the bottom social class or the Third Estate which made up a majority of the country. Because of this financial trouble the common people were heavily taxed leaving many of them in poverty. In addition to the economic issues, France also held an Estate System that led to heavy
New York: Barnes & Noble, 1969. Print. The. Kreis, Steven. A. A. "Lecture 12: The French Revolution - Moderate Stage, 1789-1792.
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.
France was about to collapse due to imbalance, bankruptcy, and a new way of thinking. In France, feudalism was still practiced where the nobles and clergy had exceptional benefits over the commoners and lower class. For example, the nobles and clergy did not have to pay taxes; they owned most of the land, and they had the most political power in France. However, the ...
Feudalist France was a rich, powerful, and respected nation for hundreds of years- until it appeared to collapse like house of cards in the breeze. The catalyst for this change could be attributed to several causes, but ultimately it was the actions of one group that furthered the revolution most. Maturity enabled the bourgeoisie to dispute their position in society, seeing their lack of political voice as an irrefutable issue. Furthermore, they put their goals of change into effect by shifting France’s sovereignty. In short, the bourgeoisie were most influential in furthering the French Revolution because of their drive for political participation.
Sparknotes editors. “Sparknote on The French Revolution (1789-1999)”. Sparknotes.com. Sparknotes LLC. 2005. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
The French Revolution had many causes. According to the historian, French people revolted because they were, “intelligent, free, and prosperous to be critical of the existing conditions.” In other words, this historian is saying that the people of France knew what was going on in their country. I agree with this historian and this quote. There were conditions that existed in France the people were aware of. The ideas of the Enlightenment, social classes, and tax system contributed to the French Revolution. The French Revolution was based mostly on the Third Estate’s desire to obtain liberty and equality.