...To what extent was the French Revolution of 1789 a bourgeois revolution? The French Revolution was a revolutionary movement which signified the end of the ancien régime and the increase of the ‘bourgeois’ class. However, it is still a long debated topic of interest when it comes to the idea if the French revolution was a bourgeois revolution or did other events come into play. Throughout 1787 and 1789 ‘one step led to another through a series of moves and counter-moves that later proved to have been an escalation’ of problems already highlighted earlier on in the history of France. To begin with, we analysis the idea presented in the original question of to what extent was the French revolution of 1789 a bourgeois revolution. When it comes to the events that led to the French Revolution ‘the origins must therefore be sought not merely in the general conditions of Europe, but in the specific situation of France’. This was due to the ongoing conflict between the ‘vested interests of the old régime and the new rising social forces’ which were much more prominent in France. These new rising social forces are more than likely the bourgeois class so this clearly highlights the fact that the French revolution was indeed to with if not caused by the bourgeois. It has also be stated that the French revolution was purely down to an uprising which instated the ideology and literally actions which allowed the ‘middle class to assume power by overthrowing the political and social order...
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...The French Revolution © Student Handouts, Inc. www.studenthandouts.com The Old Regime (Ancien Regime) • Old Regime – socio-political system which existed in most of Europe during the 18th century • Countries were ruled by absolutism – the monarch had absolute control over the government • Classes of people – privileged and unprivileged – Unprivileged people – paid taxes and treated badly – Privileged people – did not pay taxes and treated well Society under the Old Regime • In France, people were divided into three estates – First Estate • High-ranking members of the Church • Privileged class – Second Estate • Nobility • Privileged class – Third Estate • Everyone else – from peasants in the countryside to wealthy bourgeoisie merchants in the cities • Unprivileged class The Three Estates Estate Privileges Exemptions •Collected the tithe •Censorship of the press •Control of education •Kept records of births, deaths, marriages, etc. •Catholic faith held honored position of being the state religion (practiced by monarch and nobility) •Owned 20% of the land •Paid no taxes •Subject to Church law rather than civil law •Moral obligation (rather than legal obligation) to assist the poor and needy •Support the monarchy and Old Regime •Collected taxes in the form of feudal dues •Monopolized military and state appointments •Owned 20% of the land •Paid no taxes •Support the monarchy and Old Regime •Nobles First Population •Circa 25,000,000 •None •None •Paid all taxes...
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...the French Revolution The French Revolution of 1789 was major turning point in European history because it redefined the image of nation in a way never seen before as the people gained political control over their own nation. Therefore the aspects of this revolution have been debated as the beginning concept of “modern history.” This concept is derived from how the French Revolution demonstrated the will of the citizens as a political entity that could dictate governmental change by showing how the people, not the monarchy, could reform a nation. Through the establishment of a new government by the people, new institutions and policies were developed that the world we live as modern; such innovations included a system of power based on wealth and status instead of birth, and a new state bureaucracy. The ideas that drove the revolution came from the innovative thinkers of the Scientific Revolution and Enlightenment, and inspired the people of France to question those who reigned over them. While the events of the French Revolution transformed France, the reign of Napoleon turned the revolution into a European event by sparking revolution in countries that had not already. Napoleon’s conquests helped spread the mind set created in the French Revolution around Europe. The French Revolution marked the beginning of “modern history,” because the revolutionary ideas that it created sparked the creation of citizen-governed nations across Europe. One of the aspects of the French Revolution...
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...Revolutions such as the American Revolution and the French Revolution are often referred to as major turning points in history. These revolutions have left lasting impacts on countless nations and regions worldwide. Revolutions represent major changes in a society, government systems and the economic lives of the people impacted. The French Revolution, which began in 1789 and lasted until 1814, set into a motion a course of revolutions that impacted not only the people of France but other groups around the world seeking independence and changes in their government. There were many causes of the French Revolution. One cause of the French Revolution was that King Louis the XVI could imprison anybody for however long he felt, and did not have...
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...The French Revolution started in 1789 and ended in the late 1790’s. It represented a time in history where Napoleon Bonaparte ascended to power and all his escapades occurred. There were many ideas and ideals that influenced the French Revolution that affected the way European power changed and the changed the European nation. Of these ideals and ideal, there was a group of them that all related to each other. Liberty, equity, and fraternity (brotherhood) were statements that were said a lot and usually together during the French Revolution, yet they each had their own meaning and ideals in the overall Revolution. Liberty in the French Revolution was the idea of the citizens not being oppressed, especially from government (“The ideas,” n.d.). During the French Revolution, the King was signing orders that would put citizens in prison without a trial or due process. In order for the French people find liberty from the King and his tyranny and oppression, the French people drew up a new constitution in order to have more freedoms within the country, along with making Napoleon their ruler to remove the king from power. Equity was another ideal that was powerful during the French Revolution. Equity was about having all members of France being represented in all facets of government. During the revolution, the members of the Third Estate wanted to be equal of those in the Second Estate when it came to government representation. By pushing for the equality in government, the Third...
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...The French Revolution, which lasted from 1789-1814, is considered to be a major turning point in world history. The revolution led to major changes in France and other nations around the world. I will discuss the political, economic, and social causes of the French Revolution, I will also discuss how the revolution affected the people of France and it’s impact on the world outside of France. A political cause for the French Revolution was the control of speech and press under King Louis XVI, according to Document A “ he controlled the expression of thought by a strict censorship of speech and press.” An economic cause for the revolution would be the amount of taxes the Third Estate was forced to pay, as seen in Document B the Third Estate paid all taxes and in Document A it states “He (King Louis XVI) levied taxes and spent the people’s money as he saw fit.” The social cause for the revolution is shown clearly on the first two graphs in Document....
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...This historical analysis will define the causes, changes, and effects of the French Revolution from 1789-1795. The primary cause of the French Revolution was the growing concern over the absolute power of the monarchy that excluded the middle and lower classes from participation in the government. Louis XVI was the absolute monarch during the early stages of the revolution, which served as a catalyst for extreme governmental neglect, starvation, and abuse of the lower and middle classes during the 1780s. More so, an increased interest in Enlightenment principles, the American Revolution, and Republican government created a middle class platform for protesting the king as a threat to participatory governance. Eventually, the Estates-General sought diplomatic means to end the monarchy, but Louis XVI refused to abdicate. However, the Estates General formed a military and overthrew the monarchy, which resulted in the formation a Republican government in 1792....
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...What were the main causes which brought about the 1789 French revolution. There were two main types of causes which caused the revolution, namely the fundamental causes (long term) which were caused long time before the revolution and the immediate (short term) which came at short notice The fundamental causes were The political causes: the governance system in France before 1789 was known as the Ancien Regime: during this time the king had an absolute power which meant that he could do what he wanted without consulting his decisions. An example of this is the letre de cachet which was a letter sent from the king saying that you are being imprisoned without giving you the chance to defend yourself. The estate’s general had last met in 1614. All the ministers in France were not chosen democratically but by the type of noble background they had. There was no freedom or press nor of press so the normal people could not have a say in their country`s government and so could not show their grievances. Socio-economic: the nobles and the higher clergy which were only 3% of the French population were the most privileged classes, they who were the most rich were exempted from paying taxes. On the other hand the peasant who could hardly afford to feed his family had to pay high taxes which made up nearly half of his income to both the monarchy and the church. The taxes which he had to pay to the monarchy were, the taille,vingtieme and gabelle. To the church he paid the tithe and...
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...French Revolution Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789. Participants French society Location France Date 1789–1799 Result A cycle of royal power limited by uneasy constitutional monarchy; then the abolition and replacement of the French king, aristocracy and church with a radical, secular, democratic republic, which, in turn, becomes more authoritarian, militaristic and property-based. Radical social change based on nationalism, democracy and the Enlightenment principles of citizenship and inalienable rights. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Armed conflicts with other European countries. Part of a series on the History of France Prehistory[show] Ancient[show] Early Middle Ages[show] Middle Ages[show] Early modern[show] 19th century[show] 20th century[show] France portal v t e The French Revolution (French: Révolution française; 1789–1799), was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a lasting impact on French history and more broadly throughout Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within three years. French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside.[1] Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles of Liberté, égalité...
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...Joshua Muench July 24, 2014 Western Civ Part 2 The French Revolution The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790’s with the ascension of Napoleon Bonaparte. This period in European history is one of the most bold and iconic periods in the west and through it came many things of significant historic value. During this period, French citizens radically changed and redesigned their country’s political landscape, a system of century old institutions such as absolute monarchy and the feudal system. This revolution first grabbed the attention of the world due to what it promised as its outcome, human rights and broad-based political participation. Its most famous slogan pledged “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity” for all. (595) Like in the American Revolution, the French Revolution was brought on by the ideas of enlightenment, in specific, the ideas of popular sovereignty and inalienable rights. The movement played a pivotal role in shaping modern nations. Although it failed to achieve all of its goals and at times degenerated into violent bloodbaths, the French Revolution did however show the world something, the power inherent in the will of the people. The beginnings of the French Revolution can be looked at as starting shortly after the American Revolution due to the French’s involvement. The French’s involvement in the American Revolution was a costly one, and piled along with the frivolous spending of King Louis XVI, the country was on the verge...
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...terror of the guillotine – the French Revolution has all of the ingredients of an engrossing drama. Yet to delve beneath the surface of these characters and symbols is to discover the complexity of this transformative era. The events of the French Revolution, transpiring over the span of a decade, were part of a grander Age of Revolutions and at the same time were comprised of a series of smaller stories of individual French citizens becoming politically engaged amidst tremendous poverty, intellectual transformation, and ultimately... violence. A combination of factors including rising expectations spurred by the Enlightenment, massive starvation, and frustration with the mismanagement of an inept monarchy pushed the Revolution’s initial aims. These aims were worn down as political conflicts splintered revolutionary groups and led to a frenzy of executions by guillotine. The special two-hour presentation, The French Revolution, peels through the layers of these remarkable years, from 1789 through the turn of a new century, to reveal an era of intense and lasting political and intellectual change. While the complexity of the French Revolution might seem to present daunting challenges, its significance in shaping international currents merits a careful exploration. Within the course of a decade, the French monarchy was shorn of its political power, a framework was created for a universal understanding of basic human and civil rights, and countless French citizens across class backgrounds...
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...French Revolution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other uses, see French Revolution (disambiguation). Page semi-protected French Revolution Anonymous - Prise de la Bastille.jpg Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789. Date 1789–1799 Location France Participants French society Outcome Abolition of the French monarchy Establishment of a secular and democratic republic that became increasingly authoritarian and militaristic Radical social change based on liberalism and other Enlightenment principles Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte Armed conflicts with other European countries Part of a series on the History of France National EmblemNational EmblemNational Emblem Prehistory[show] Ancient[show] Early Middle Ages[show] Middle Ages[show] Early modern[show] 19th century[show] 20th century[show] Portal icon France portal v t e The French Revolution (French: Révolution française) was an influential period of social and political upheaval in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799. Inspired by liberal and radical ideas, the Revolution profoundly altered the course of modern history, triggering the global decline of theocracies and absolute monarchies while replacing them with republics and democracies. Through the Revolutionary Wars, it unleashed a wave of global conflicts that extended from the Caribbean to the Middle East. Historians widely regard the Revolution as one of the most important events in human history.[1] The causes of the French Revolution...
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...The French Revolution, an uprising against the monarch in 1789, was caused by a series of events and matters throughout the 1700s. The third estate was extremely unhappy with the way they were being treated; many were left with little food and a low income yet had to pay extremely high taxes. The second and third estates had special privileges like not having to pay taxes and getting rewarded with a share of the peasant’s harvest. In addition, the Nobles lived in the Palace of Versailles with the king and got payed. Whilst the second and first estates were being rewarded for the little actions they had done, the third estate was being punished for working very hard and trying to provide for themselves. Since the third estate was 98 percent...
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...France The French Revolution (French: Révolution française; 1789–1799) was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a fundamental impact on French history and on modern history more broadly. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within three years. French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside.[1] Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles of Liberté, égalité, fraternité (liberty, equality and fraternity). The royal houses across Europe were horrified and led a countercrusade that by 1814 had restored the old monarchy, but many major reforms became permanent. So too did antagonisms between the supporters and enemies of the Revolution, who fought politically over the next two centuries. Amidst a fiscal crisis, the common people of France were increasingly angered by the incompetency of King Louis XVI and the continued indifference and decadence of the aristocracy. This resentment, coupled with burgeoning Enlightenment ideals, fueled radical sentiments, and the French Revolution began in 1789 with the convocation of the Estates-General in May. The first year of the Revolution saw members of the Third Estate proclaiming the Tennis Court Oath in...
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...French Revolution The world has seen many revolutions in history. One of the biggest revolutions was the French Revolution because it brought with it many consequences and influences. The political, social, and economic conditions in France were critical issues in the French Revolution. They were instrumental in the cause of the revolution, played a role in the process of the revolt and were altered greatly as a result of the rebellion. Due to the difficult economic situation in France, there was a lot of discontent with the way the country was being ruled. France had an unfair tax system and a large debt caused by the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence. There was a high unemployment, poor harvest due to bitter winter in 1788-1789, and food was extremely expensive. The government seemed uncaring toward the needs of its citizens and was deeply in debt. Also large numbers of unhappy French elite citizens began gathering together to complain about the political situation in France. They were discontent with Louis XIV’s rule and even more concerned by Louis the XV’s style of government. Soon this social action changed into political discussion about changes in the French government. The estates system that had been in place in France had not been functioning well, in fact the legislative assembly had not met for 175 years. Social activities lead directly to the will for political changes. By the Louis XIV reign groups of individuals began opposing abusive government...
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