French Revolution Research Paper

1033 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: French and British revolution

When the French Revolution took place (1789 and 1799), there was no mass media. Two of the most popular types of art mediums used for propaganda were paintings and sculpture. As a result, the French government used artists to mobilize their messages to the people in order to sway public opinion. For the purpose of this essay, we shall consider two works of art that influenced the French Revolution.
Keywords: French revolution, neoclassical, romantic style, art and politics ART’S INFLUENCE ON THE REVOLUTION
Neoclassical and Romantic Art
Neoclassical art is related to Greco-Roman classical art for its history, and cultural values such as virtue. A movement from the 18th Century, it was popular during the “Age of Enlightenment” due to the recent …show more content…

The French Revolt occurred for many reasons, some of which are still under debate today. What is clear, however, is France’s treasury was empty. Which caused heavy taxation upon its citizens — at a time when their family farm crops were failing — to fund its military hold over expanding territories in the Americas and the subsequent wars that ensued, as well as fund the Monarchy’s extravagant spending. King Louis XIV and his Queen, Marie Antoinette, spent money lavishly of frivolous pursuits and desires, while their citizens were starving. (Sailus, C., …show more content…

Artists were a part of the movement, some were even part of radical groups of extremists. They all used their talents to communicate their beliefs for the ideals that they represented. In the case of Napoleon, he took the idea of propaganda to new heights when he used it through fine art and others to promote his power, strength and authority.

ART’S INFLUENCE ON THE REVOLUTION
References
Sailus, C. (n.d.). The Causes of the French Revolution: Economic & Social Conditions. Retrieved May 15, 2018, from https://study.com/academy/lesson/the-causes-of-the- french-revolution-economic-social-conditions.html
Seiferle, R. (n.d.). Romanticism Movement, Artists and Major Works. Retrieved May 15, 2018, from http://www.theartstory.org/movement-romanticism.htm
Zygmont, B., Dr. (n.d.). Delacroix, Liberty Leading the People. Retrieved May 15, 2018, from https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/later-europe-and-americas/ enlightenment-revolution/a/delacroix-liberty-leading
Pollitt, B. (n.d.). David, Napoleon Crossing the Alps. Retrieved May 15, 2018, from

Show More
Related

  • French Revolution Dbq Essay

    1455 Words  | 3 Pages

    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

    Read More

  • French Revolution Dbq

    1293 Words  | 3 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Cause of the French Revolution

    384 Words  | 1 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • Neoclassical And Impressionism: The Effects Of Modern Art

    733 Words  | 2 Pages

    Before Impressionism came to be a major movement (around 1870-1800s), Neoclassical and Romanticism were still making their impacts. Remembering last week’s lesson, we know that both those styles were different in the fact that one was based on emotion, while the other was practical and serious. However, one thing they both shared was the fact that the artists were trying to get a message across; mostly having to do with the effects of the French Revolution, and/or being ordered to do so. With Impressionism, there is a clear difference from its predecessors.

    Read More

  • The French Revolution

    882 Words  | 2 Pages

    The French Revolution evokes many different emotions and controversial issues in that some believe it was worth the cost and some don't. There is no doubt that the French Revolution did have major significance in history. Not only did the French gain their independence, but an industrial revolution also took place. One of the main issues of the Revolution was it's human costs. Two writers, the first, Peter Kropotkin who was a Russian prince, and the other Simon Schama, a history professor, both had very opposing views on whether the wars fought by France during the Revolution were worth it's human costs. Krapotkin believed that the French Revolution was the main turning point for not only France but for most other countries as well. On the other hand, Schama viewed the French Revolution as unproductive and excessively violent.

    Read More

  • french revolution

    823 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Editors of Encyclopædia Britannica. "French Revolution." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, Aug. 06. Web. 09 Mar. 2014.

    Read More

  • Causes of the French Revolution

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    There were a numerous amount of economic issues. The first was when King Louis XIV left the France in debt. Also known as The Sun King, Louis XIV spent money extravagantly, and especially on building and transforming the Palace of Versailles, because of how much he disliked Paris. The rooms in le château were unbelievably ornate and very costly! All of Louis XIV’s heritors ran the country right into more debt, and when Louis XVI came into throne, his financial mentor, Jacques Necker, helped him make smarter decisions when it came to spending. But, that came to an end when he made a suggestion that taxes should be distributed among each social class, and Louis XVI got offended. The French government was spending more than its revenue, also because of war. The French and Indian war against England from 1756 to 1763 and aiding the Colonists against the English Loyalists in the American Revolution really put a toll on France’s financial standing. The nobles believed that reforms would solve their country’s economic crisis, but they were wrong. People, especially the peasants and workers, were left hungry and unemployed. Bread prices also rose. Obviously, the miserable farmers could not afford it, and their children’s clothing was either worn out in shreds, or non-existent. Even a pair of socks was a treat to peasant children before the French Revolution, and economic trouble was causi...

    Read More

  • The Causes of the French Revolution

    881 Words  | 2 Pages

    Although the Political and intellectual factors of the revolution ave wood to the fire the social and economic problems were the spark to that fire that lead to the greatest revolution of all times. "What the Revolution was less than anyhting else was a chance event. While it is a true that it took the world by surprise, nevertheless it was only the culmination of a long period of travail-the sudden and violent termination of an enterprse on which men had laboured for ten generations." On this I belive that the social and economic disorder that took place in France in the eighteenth century was the cause of the revolution.

    Read More

  • Cause Of The French Revolution Essay

    681 Words  | 2 Pages

    ...with aggrieved peasants and wage-earners and with individuals of all classes who were influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment” (GNU, 2008, pg. 1). No matter what the causes the French Revolution turned out to be one of the most influential periods in European history.

    Read More

  • Positive Effects Of The French Revolution

    917 Words  | 2 Pages

    ]“Little by little, the old world crumbled, and not once did the king imagine that some of the pieces might fall on him.” – Jennifer Donnelly. The French Revolution was a time period in which the people of its country had enough. They ripped up the thousand-year-old monarchy and redesigned their country’s way of government. The French Revolution was a time of struggle for its people. King Louis XVI had essentially bankrupted the country with his lavish spending and his involvement in the American Revolution. While the king was living a luxurious life, his people couldn’t even eat. During this time the king had people heavy taxes on the Third Estate, which consisted of 98% of the population, causing the French citizens to resent the monarchy. This lead to riots, looting, and strikes in a stance for better living conditions. Women of France had a specific hatred of the queen, Marie Antoinette. In the early days of October 1789, thousands of Partisans, several of which were women, walked

    Read More

  • Marie Antoinette And The French Revolution

    1106 Words  | 3 Pages

    “Let them eat cake.” A famous response given by Queen Marie Antoinette when she was asked about the grain shortages in her country. But, did she really say this? Many people see Marie Antoinette as a leading cause of the French revolution, with her enormous spending, affairs, disapproval of reform, and influence on her husband, King Louis XVI. But did Marie Antoinette play a decisive role in causing the French Revolution? Or were the peoples judgements the cause of the uprising? This essay will provide both sides of this argument, stating findings and facts about Marie Antoinette’s influence on the people of France, and what feelings she provoked in them with her actions, and if there was any connection between her behavior and beginning of the French Revolution.

    Read More

  • Causes of the French Revolution

    530 Words  | 2 Pages

    The first underlying cause of the French Revolution was the Old Regime. The people of France were divided into three estates. The first estate was composed of the highest church officials. They held about ten percent of all the land in France. They paid no direct taxes to the royal government. The second estate was made up of nobles. They were only two percent of France’s population, but owned twenty percent of the land. They paid no taxes (Krieger 483). The third estate accounted for ninety-eight percent of France’s population. The third estate was divided into three groups; the middle class, known as the bourgeoisie, the urban lower classes, and the peasant farmers. The third estate lost about half their income in taxes. They paid feudal dues, royal taxes, and also owed the corvee, a form of tax paid with work (Krieger 484).

    Read More

  • The French Revolution Essay

    1423 Words  | 3 Pages

    “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.

    Read More

  • How Has Art Affected By The French Revolution?

    634 Words  | 2 Pages

    The leaders of the French Revolution increased public support by using all kinds of art. Artists could use their work to reach more people including those who did not have regular access to political information (Dowd, 1951). The French Revolution caused artists to lose traditional patrons, such as, the Church and aristocrats. New art patrons while were the private middle-class citizens.

    Read More

  • The French Revolution & Art

    2050 Words  | 5 Pages

    The French Revolution, indeed, changed the structure of economics and social sphere of the old regime, and also the ideology of that time. In the years that followed the Revolution, the always increasing senses of both freedom and individuality were evident, not only in French society, but also in art. As stated by Dowd, “leaders of the French Revolution consciously employed all forms of art to mobilize public sentiment in favor of the New France and French nationalism.” In between all the artistic areas, the art of painting had a special emphasis. After the Revolution, the French art academies and also schools were now less hierarchical and there was, now, more freedom of engaging into new themes, not being the apprentices so tied up to their masters footsteps, not being so forced to follow them.

    Read More

More about French Revolution Research Paper

Open Document