University of Phoenix Material

French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Worksheet

1. Essay

Explain, in 1,050 to 1,400 words, how the following ideas and ideals influenced the events and motivated the participants in the French Revolution:

Liberty
Equality
Brotherhood
Hubris
Fiscal irresponsibility
Democracy
Technology

The French Revolution was a quest for liberty, and centered on people who wanted their freedom. They wanted to be treated as equal participants in the community, not as slaves for the royals or nobles. The peasants who represents more than 90% of France’s population, were working for their own families and everyone else as they paid much more in taxes. Brotherhood was the way of everyone coming together as one. Hubris is excessive pride in one’s self, people during the French Revolution did not want to admit they were wrong for what they were doing and that they did not want less entitlement then they had. Fiscal irresponsibility was brought on by the higher debts, and taxes were raised so the government could get out of the finical hole they were in. The democracy was a new construction of power where the politics were giving everyone the chance to be heard and to be equal. Technology at the beginning of the French Revolution was lacking, but as it continued throughout the years it became a resource at war. Liberty was the main goal for the French people, to be free from the poor work conditions they were in. The work environments for the peasants were horrible and needed to be changed. They were working to feed their families and the landlords. The landlords were taking all of their harvest and leaving them with nothing. The French government was not paying taxes and the lower class was paying twice as much to cover the royal community. They worked like slaves to barely get by and children were abused and be used to do more