Thomas Carlyle and Georges Lefebvre present contradicting views on the French Revolution; however, their views are fundamentally the same. Carlyle and Lefebvre both believe that it is people who create history, it is only the groups of people that they disagree on. Carlyle believes it is the few great people who create history. They are the leaders of countries, activists, religious leaders, and antagonists. The heroes and antiheroes are the ones who will decide how the past will transform into the future. Georges Lefebvre believes it is the general population, the average people that create history. He believes that when these people unite they will overtake a single man, without obstacle. Be that as it may, Lefebvre poses the stronger argument
in the case of the French Revolution. The Marxist view on this historical event complies with the sequence of events during the revolution. It was the peasants that united in order to overthrow the oppression they were facing because of the upper class, and monarchy. It was the great men that came after; nonetheless, the commoners fought, and won their invasion of their government. Consequently, Carlyle provides the less supported, less credible theory in comparison to Lefebvre’s.
Historians can either disagree or agree into a situation to find the meaning of outcomes. Certainly the past had happened the way it is therefore history is always explained from other people’s perspective. The perspective of historians such as Bernard Baiylin or Gary Nash can relate to the American Revolution, however Baiyln has a stronger argument because he expands the topic, gives great information that readers can pick up right away, and has reliable sources while Nash’s argument is weak because of difficult wording, relies on common data, and lacks of direct facts that relate to his topic.
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
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.
The American Revolution and French Revolution were two long lasting uprisings that had great value to those battling for their rights and want they wanted to change. Yet there are a few distinctions details set them apart in a small way. The Americans wanted a change in their government, but the French wanted a huge change in everything including their government, religion, social structure (whereas American’s social system stayed the same) and economy. Other than the few differences they had, they two Revolutions were much alike, basically twin revolutions.
the French Revolution. Hunt, Lynn & Censer, Jack. University Park, Pennsylvania: The Pennsylvania State University Press (2001)
The ideas of change in the French Revolution came from Jean- Jacques Rousseau. Rousseau, from his book, Discourse on the Moral Effect of the Arts and Sciences, had the idea that civilization corrupted people and had once said “Man is born free and everywhere he is in chains”. His ideas were the beginning of socialism. He believed in the common good. More extremely, there was Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) who fueled ideas for the Russian Revolution. He was the Father of Communism, a more radical form of socialism. Those who followed Rousseau’s and Marx’s ideas felt that the...
Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels see the French revolution as a great achievement in human history. However they also discuss serious criticisms of it. Marx and Engels discussed the struggle between two distinct social groups during the French Revolution which are the city poor and the privileged classes and what happens when power fell into the hands of the revolutionary “petty bourgeoisie” and the paris workers creating a class struggle and it impact on political issues . This essay will explain how Marx and Engels view the French revolution and their analysis of the revolution’s achievements and shortcomings.This essay will also apply their analysis of the French
When the King of England began to infringe on the colonists’ liberties, leaders inspired by the enlightenment grouped together to defend the rights of the American colonies. As Thomas Jefferson writes in the Declaration of Independence, “History of the present King of Great Britain is a history of repeated injuries and usurpations, all having in direct object the establishment of an absolute tyranny over these States” (Jefferson 778). The citizens of France, inspired by the enlightenment, desired a government run by the people. Marquis de Lafayette wrote, “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights; social distinctions may be based only upon general usefulness” (de Lafayette 783).
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.
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.
Nardo, Don. A. The French Revolution. San Diego, California: Greenhaven Press, Inc., 1999. Print.
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.
...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.
The French Revolution had a great impact on modern day politics and the ideologies that have become common knowledge among society. When France was reconstructing their government in the 1790's, many of the changes inspired how politics has established itself in today's world. The French Revolution was significant in sweeping away monarchical absolutism in the name of the modern ideas of 'liberty, equality, and fraternity'. The French society, as well as other European societies, were going through many cultural and social changes and were developing more intellectual thoughts for the time. Ideologies of liberalism, socialism, and conservatism, were beginning to appear in all aspects of European life, especially in France. The creation of the National Assembly is an example of how these new ideologies affected how France was governed. France realized the necessity to instil thoughts of equality into its people to ensure a long-lasting government. The Third Estate showed many aspects of liberalism in their campaign to create a more equal government. The National Assembly sought to pursue a policy of constitutional monarchy, which is an aspect of modern day liberalism. Liberals believe in limited government and democracy, the belief that a government should be accountable to their people. Eighteenth-century liberals believed that these two elements would minimize the role of the government and maximize the personal freedoms of the government's people. They believed that the economy should be controlled by the people, instead of under the strict control of the government. This idea was created by Adam Smith and was labelled as laissez-faire. Liberals were also looking to change the clericalism of the Church and entrench ideas of religious freedom on France.
“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.