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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a new executive council known as the Directory assumed control of the French state in 1795. The Directory, an extremely unorganized group characterized by its blunders as a ruling party, including; suspended elections, debt repudiations, financial instability, persecutions against the Catholic clergy, and significant military conquests abroad.8 Overwhelmed by charges of corruption, the directory collapsed in a coup led by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1799.
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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later.10 The values and institutions of the Revolution dominate French politics to this day. The Revolution resulted in the suppression of the feudal system, the emancipation of the individual, the greater division of landed property, the abolition of the privileges of noble birth and the nominal establishment of equality. The French Revolution differed from other revolutions in being not merely national, because it aimed at benefiting all humanity.11 Globally, the Revolution accelerated the rise of republics and democracies. It became the focal point for the development of all modern political ideologies, leading to the spread of liberalism, radicalism, nationalism, socialism, feminism, and secularism, among many others. ____________________ 9.
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
(1789).14 The Enlightenment advocated reason as a means to establishing an authoritative system of aesthetics, ethics, government, and even religion, which would allow human beings to obtain objective truth about the whole of reality. Emboldened by the revolution in physics commenced by Newtonian kinematics, Enlightenment thinkers argued that reason could free humankind from superstition and religious authoritarianism that had brought suffering and _______________________ 12. Bell, David Avrom (2007). The First Total War: Napoleon's Europe and the birth of warfare as we know it. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 51. 13. Suzanne Desan et al. Eds. The French Revolution in Global Perspective (2013), pp. 3, 8, 10 14. "Age of Enlightenment." New World Encyclopedia, .3 Nov 2016, 16:03 UTC. 5 Nov 2017
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.
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.
98 ) Much of the revolution is owed to the drought that happened in France, causing famines, which motivated many to speak out against the injustices and flaws that came with monarchies. One individual who sought equal treatment for all was 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
Nardo, Don. A. The French Revolution. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. Print.
Furet, Francois ‘Napoleon Bonaparte’ in G, Kates(ed.) The French Revolution: Recent Debates and New Controversies Clarendon Press, Oxford (1997)
[7] Hunt, Lynn. Politics, Culture, and Class in the French Revolution. Berkeley: U of California, 1984. Print.
1. Why and how did the French Revolution take a radical turn entailing terror at home and war with European powers?
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
New York: Barnes & Noble, 1969. Print. The. Kreis, Steven. A. A. "Lecture 12: The French Revolution - Moderate Stage, 1789-1792.
Kirchberger, Joe H. The French Revolution and Napoleon. New York: Facts on File inc, 1989.
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
“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.
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. It questioned the authority of kings, priests, and nobles. The Revolution also gave new meanings and new ideas to the political ideas of the people.