The French Revolution was integral in the development of democracy as it laid the foundations and set a precedent for subsequent revolutionary movements for a democratic system of government. This revolution was particularly successful, its effects compounded to inspire revolutions in the Americas and France. The French Revolution lays claim to being the only political revolution that has not seen bloodshed, this is due to the fact that James II could not revolt to an invitation from the parliament to William of Orange (King of Holland) to assist in its administration.
The importance of this revolution is highlighted by the commissioners’ success in overturning the powers of the monarchy and establishing an elected parliament and a movement toward a constitutional monarchy. The first ‘Bill of Rights’, ensured this and indirectly invested in the rights of the individual to freedom from absolute power. As a precedent, the French Revolution was an integral part of democratic development and the foundations for political revolution in France and America. (Chase, Perry & Von Laue, 1995)
Many critics have argued that in all the bloodshed, terror, and gore of the French Revolution, France actually gained nothing democratic out of it; however, this certainly is not true. While the rise of the Mountain and Robespierre, and the unfortunate Reign of Terror could understandably be seen as incredibly undemocratic, one must look past that to the goal Robespierre had intended: to create a society in which “liberty, equality, and fraternity” were emphasized, where the French people could rule as one and not be oppressed by the over-powerful nobility.
The Essay on Turning Points Neolithic Revolution French Revolution And The Industrial Revolution
... to date. The Neolithic Revolution gave rise to complex civilizations, and the French Revolution further spread nationalist ideas and the democratic ideas of Liberty, ... he declares himself Emperor of the French, and an absolute government rules France once again. The French Revolution had a major impact on the ...
Granted, what was of noble intent ultimately ended in disastrous terror, but as with all experiments, there are bound to be successes and failures. The same can be said about Napoleon’s reign. Although he was clearly a dictator, he was driven by democratic principles and driven by what was best for the “French republic. ” From a purely theoretical viewpoint, the French Revolution and Napoleonic Era were lessons well-learnt in democracy, because they taught France, as well as the rest of Europe and America, what the limits of popular rule was, and that there was such a thing as “tyranny of the majority,” as Alexis de Tocqueville dubbed it.
Subsequent philosophical ideas, such as limited popular sovereignty or checks and balances, were all highly influenced by the French Revolution and reign of Napoleon. Had it not been for this important chain of events, when would Europe have learned that democracy was a game that could easily go wrong? (Chase, Perry & Von Laue, 1995) The French and American Revolutions were essential but not integral in the development of democracy.
These revolutions were based upon the ideals of the French Revolution, but could not be achieved without bloodshed; the powers of the autocracy were too great or reluctant to relinquish the largest and strongest bastion of English colonialism in the ‘new world’. The French Revolution’s effect was short-lived as a result of the rise of Napoleon’s empire and the Reign of Terror, putting an end to individual rights and liberal democracy. The American and French Revolutions assisted in establishing the rights of the individual, yet they were still based upon English precedent.
Although not exact, the parliamentary foundation was laid for the progress toward today’s liberal democracy. Napoleon’s establishment of the Bank of France was also vital in that it created a body which served the interests of state as well as his government, thus solving problems posed by the unhappy Sans Culottes during the reign of the Directory. Thus, by continuing to vouch for this new economic order, Napoleon also gained support from the peasantry, who saw them more empowered in terms of land and status compared to before.
The Term Paper on The French Revolution and Napoleon
Matching Match each term with the correct statement below. a. abdicate d. sans-culottes b. deficit spending e. suffrage c. plebiscite ____ ____ ____ ____ ____ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Spending more money than is taken in Working-class revolutionaries The right to vote Ballot in which voters say yes or no to an issue To give up power Match each person with the correct statement below. a. Napoleon d. Olympe ...
As if this wasn’t enough, Napoleon also strengthened the bureaucracy, continually empowering each level of the bureaucracy and rewarding them well for their services; he also signed the Concordat of 1801 with Pope Pius VII in order to ensure the political influence of his own government over church affairs. In fact, except for the critical status of women, who saw their power decline dramatically from the actual French Revolution to after the Napoleonic Era, all other classes in France gained became more prominent and more empowered.
This renewed sense of importance contributed greatly to a patriotic, nationalistic fervor as each citizen felt increasingly important individually and a part of something great. Under Robespierre and Napoleon, citizens of France began to feel that they could effect change, which France was not just a king’s nation, but a nation of the people as well. The ideologies of liberalism of the bourgeoisie in the Age of Reason/Enlightenment laid the grounds for equity and freedom from unjust imposition. This allowed for the rise of democracy through providing the inspiration for the French Revolution.
The Age of Reason brought the demise of the Feudal System and the burden of vassalage. This was directed under the leadership of numerous ‘thinkers’ that took to challenging the status quo of the aristocracy and the divine rights and knowledge of the church. New thought free from religious restrictions, allowed for traditions and social management issues to be re-assessed. The bourgeoisie created a movement toward democracy; however they were interested in protecting their own ideals of economic and political freedom or ‘liberalism’.
They pursued a full democracy but could not trust the masses to control it and also wanted a ‘laissez-faire’ economy and political system free from autocratic intervention. (Chase, Perry & Von Laue, 1995) It is clear that the ideologies conveyed by the masses and figureheads in the American and French Revolutions were dependent upon the thinkers of the Enlightenment leading into the French Revolution. These facts establish that the French Revolution was integral in the development of the policies and ideals that were sprouted out of subsequent events.
The Essay on To What Extent Was Louis XVI Responsible For The Revolution In France From 1789 To 1792?
The French revolution took place in France from 1789 to 1792, during the reign of King Louis XVI. It was an expression of discontent from the poor towards the rich, and of how they thought France was governed unfairly. The revolution is considered one of the most important events in human history, as it has continued to shape societies and the ways we live today (Cody, 2008). Through examining ...
The peaceful exhibition displayed by the British in 1688 proved to the monarchies that the citizens should be endowed with liberties, equity and the right to self-determination. (Chase, Perry & Von Laue, 1995) There is no dispute today that the French Revolution was the most important revolution to occur in Europe in recent memory. Not only did it cause disastrous outcomes, including a Reign of Terror that was dehumanizing, gory, and unimaginable in this day and age, but more importantly, it set the tone for what a democratic government could potentially become, in terms of equality, liberty, and fraternity.
France experienced bits and pieces of all three during the French Revolution, and although it the Napoleonic Era ultimately ended in a similar situation as compared to before the French Revolution, it was clearly the ideas and potential of democracy which gave hope to the rest of Europe for the next couple of centuries.
References
Chase, Myrna; Perry, Marvin & Theodore H. Von Laue. 1995. Western Civilization Vol. II: Ideas, Politics, & Society: From the 1600s, Vol. 2. New York: Harper Collins.
