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Causes and effects of the revolution
Causes and effects of the revolution
Causes and effects of the revolution
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As a time of new ideas and human reasoning in the Enlightenment seemed to be coming to an end, it only lead to individuals developing larger, more enforced (persistent?) demands for the rights of man and equality from the philosophes—hence resulting in the French Revolution. Through incidents like the storming of the Bastille in July of 1787 to an audience’s rage on a group of actors who were against depicting Charles IX badly in a play, the French Revolution was starting to show its roots of reform on both the expression of freedom and liberty. However, as more and more people fought for the rights of man, the question on how much freedom should be allowed arose as a serious concern, along with how to go about fighting for it. In this time period, the Enlightenment’s ideologies were shining on the undermined patriotism and nationalism of the country, bringing out the desire of an equal and free nation among all (revolutionaries) in France, based on the ideas of natural rights.
While France appeared to be a well-developed nation in the European continent (through…), the state of France itself in the 19th century was still on its way.
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“France had long been the most literary of all the nations of Europe; although her literary men had never exhibited such intellectual power as they displayed about the middle of the 18th century, or occupied a position of which they then assumed” is the way that a noble French politician, Alexis de Tocqueville, described France’s creditability in the era before the revolution, also known as the Old Regime, in his historical literature piece titled the Old Regime and the French Revolution. An uprising was occurring in France based on the logic of the Enlightenment and many, like de Tocqueville, were reflecting on the ideology behind the period, “… [Philosophers] learned to abhor what was ancient and traditional, and naturally became desirous of re-constructing the social edifice of their day upon an entirely new plan—a plan which each one traced solely on the light of his reason…” The need for reform was evident in the way of the philosophers as de Tocqueville explained that a man could not be free under law, that the Old Regime French government was not practical—“… the whole constitution of the country must either be endured or destroyed.” It was de Tocqueville’s belief that the traditional constitution wasn’t doing its part in satisfying the public—between corruption in the laws or equality. Although De Tocqueville wasn’t in fact born until a few years after the French Revolution had already begun, he still was among those who thoroughly studied and agreed that the push for a revolution in France was necessary to execute everything on a uniform, mutual basis of rights. Prior to De Tocqueville’s reflection on the why the Revolution was caused and its flaws in the Old Regime and the French Revolution, the newly established National Assembly of 1789 was put into place and published the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen.
In this document specifically, they stated briefly what they felt as a whole were the problems of the Old Regime, followed by the promises and expectations they planned to set forth to eliminate these issues and regain society. In agreement to De Tocqueville, the declaration proposed “…ignorance, neglect, or contempt of human rights, are the sole causes of public misfortunes and corruptions of Government…” recognizing the end to the ways of the Old Regime and solving the issues by granting “new” (and natural) privileges to who they counted as the general
population. Unlike the old Government, this newly adapted government was attempting to incorporate Enlightenment concepts in their rule. Natural rights, with the idea of equality in a free nation were presented to be one of the main goals. This new government was forming laws of equality under multiple areas.“ [VI.] The law is an expression of the will of the community. All citizens have a right to concur, either personally, or by their representatives, in its formation. It should be the same to all, whether it protects or punishes; [XI.] The unrestrained communication of thoughts and opinions being one of the most precious rights of man, every citizen may speak, write, and publish freely, provided he is responsible for the abuse of this liberty… ; [XVII.} The rights to property being inviolable and sacred, no one ought to be deprived of it…” “[XIV.] Every citizen has a right, either by himself or his representative, to a free voice in determining the necessity of public contributions…”
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
With the Estates General, Tennis Court Oath, and The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (Robinson 6), they worked against the King to make their own decisions about the future of France. The bourgeoisie’s choice to form the National Assembly was the first successful coup d'etat in French history. Because the majority of the country’s populace was comprised of the this group, they were able to effectively declare themselves France’s political authority. This made them influential in altering the country’s future and furthering the French Revolution because they shifted sovereignty from the monarchy to the people. Sovereignty continued to shift further from the monarchy as the Revolution progressed. In Article One of the August Decrees, the National Assembly abolished the feudal system which had assigned King Louis power above all people (Robinson 2). The statement made by the bourgeoisie was a final component in the destruction of France’s monarchy. Together the group’s actions in overtaking sovereignty in France would deem them the most influential people in furthering the French
In one corner we have a nation, fed up with the corruption and constant bullying of their big brother nation, seeking the approval of the world for a revolution. In the other corner we have a nation, bent on gaining the equality among all individuals in their state, coming together to lay down the law to their king. Both America and France had a thirst for a new equal nation and government in which power was given to the people and not to a tyrannical figure. Individuals from both of these countries sat down and wrote up a letter of declaration in demand of the freedom that they so rightfully deserved. Both of them won that freedom, as the Declaration of Independence and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen flourished with success in the late 18th century. ‘How did these two important documents come about’ is the question we should be asking ourselves. What separated these two monumental letters from each other? What gave each of them their fire, their spark to gain their rights to liberty? America’s Declaration of Independence focused more on America gaining sole ownership of their nation, abolishing their connections with the British and their tyrant King George, and setting up their own government based on Natural law and equality among all men. France’s Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen confronted the king on his neglect to the equal rights of man, laid down the basic principles of how the nation should be run, and proclaimed that the nation should be and is going to be run by the people for the people. With those key differences stated as well as several other small values, such as taxation, oppression, and security, my concern is how both methods worked so efficiently given their varianc...
The French Revolution was a tumultuous period, with France exhibiting a more fractured social structure than the United States. In response, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen proposed that “ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities, and of the corruption of governments” (National Assembly). This language indicates that the document, like its counterpart in the United States, sought to state the rights of men explicitly, so no doubt existed as to the nature of these rights. As France was the center of the Enlightenment, so the Enlightenment ideals of individuality and deism are clearly expressed in the language of the document. The National Assembly stated its case “in
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.
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.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Woman (Olympe de Gouges)- amen heres the women ok so France had an issue with women (why?) so a feminist wrote this declaration to promote feminism but was shot down and kill by the guillotine in 1793.
from around 1780 to 1890, a remarkable change occurred in human affairs as slavery, widely practiced and little condemned since the beginning of civilization, lost its legitimacy and was largely ended. Enlightenment thinkers in eighteenth-century Europe had become increasingly critical of slavery as a violation of the natural rights of every person, and the public pronouncements of the American and French revolutions about liberty and equality focused attention on this obvious violation of those principles. To this secular anti slavery thinking was added and increasingly vociferous religious voice, expressed first by Quakers and the Protestant evangelicals in Britain and the United States. The actions of slaves themselves likewise hastened
American history is taught as events that directly happen on American soil or events involving America. However, events overseas affect America’s development and history greatly, by influencing it in different ways. The French Revolution of 1789 did not directly involve America, though it did leave an impression on American citizens and its leaders. Research for this exact topic was challenging to look for, first hand accounts and reflections were slim to none, however there are letters and direct acts in response to the French Revolution. In this analysis, the letter from Thomas Jefferson to John Jay and the Alien and Sedition Acts will be looked at to see how America reacted to the ‘drama’ overseas in France.
The French Revolution Gradually after the American Revolution, France had its own Revolution in 1789. The French were very unhappy with their current status, jobs, and living conditions. They saw what the Americans did to achieve liberty, and how successful they were. Many of them had also read the writings of the philosophers and believed that change was necessary. Nevertheless, the main problems that led to the French Revolution were deep debt, competition between social classes, and the unlawful conduct of the king.
On August 26, 1789, the assembly issued the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.” Through judicial matters, this document was written in order to secure due process and to create self-government among the French citizens. This document offered to the world and especially to the French citizens a summary of the morals and values of the Revolution, while in turn justifying the destruction of a government; especially in this case the French government, based upon autocracy of the ruler and advantage. The formation of a new government based upon the indisputable rights of the individuals of France through liberty and political uniformity.
Sparknotes editors. “Sparknote on The French Revolution (1789-1999)”. Sparknotes.com. Sparknotes LLC. 2005. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
In the eighteenth century, the movement known as the Enlightenment brought forward a necessary progress to the French governments. During this time period, France experienced reason that focused on equality of the human being, social contract that erased the individual will, and the growing middle class whose authority was established at a similar level of the monarch’s. Many philosophers believed in reasoning the equality of human beings and disregard just about everything that relates to inherited knowledge. A philosophe wanted to create a movement. The social contract based on general will encouraged the needs of the community and the not the wants of an individual.
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.