It should be noted that the political social and economic conditions of Europe before the French revolution were diverse and complex. Political conditions Politically with the exception of Britain most European states had absolute monarchies (Kingship) based on divine rights of their Kings. The Kings were not answerable to people but only to God whom they claimed to have got their powers. There were no democratic institutions like parliament in most states, and where they existed, they were used as mere rubber stamps by the leaders to effect then dictatorship.
The laws passed were greatly in favor of those leaders and people’s interests were no represented. In Western Europe feudalism (superiority based on ownership) had been changed and crashed but the nobles still enjoyed many privileges. In central and Eastern Europe feudalism existed and the nobles enjoyed a lot of privileges at the expense of other classes. There was a constitutional monarchy in England where the aristocrats (kings) shared political power with other groups of people. There were also republics in the city states of Geneva, Genoa, Venice faithfully there were elective monarchy in the Papal States.
Social conditions Socially European states were organized into social classes based on birth. There were majorly 2 classes i. e. the privileged and then unprivileged class. The privileged class constituted the noble and the clergy who enjoyed a lot of privileges e. g. exemption from taxes, enjoyed the top posts in the civil service, the government, church and the army. This class owned the land and over taxed the unprivileged people. The unprivileged class included the middle class and the peasants. The middle class who were called the Bourgeoisie consisted of traders, teachers lawyers, Doctors, journalists etc.
The Essay on System Of Privilege Social People Example
1. (a) Privilege is defined as a favor or right granted to some people, but not to everyone. (b) Power is defined as strength, ability, or a driving force. (c) Difference is defined as the way in which two things are not the same. (d) According to MacIntosh there are two types of privileges. The first is based on what she calls "unearned entitlements," which are things that all people should have. ...
They were rich and intellectually superior to the nobles and the clergy. But enjoyed no political right and were discriminated from public offices. This class was bigger in France and Britain but very small in Russia and Austrian empire. The peasants constituted the biggest percentage of over 90% of European population and lived in rural areas. They lived in a worst life compared to all other classes. They were poor, ignorant, employed on land and over taxed by the clergy and nobles. However their economic and social conditions varied from one part of Europe to another. They were better off in England and worse off in Russia.
Serfdom existed in Eastern Europe these were worse than the peasants and always worked for their landlords. Religiously, Christianity was the foundation of European societies where protestant and catholic religions prevailed. Protestant prevailed in countries like England, Denmark, part of German land and Scotland in Northern Europe. While states like Spain, France, Austrian empire, Italy and Poland were Roman Catholics. In Eastern Europe the Orthodox Church was predominate especially in Russia and Islam dominated the Turkish Empire which extended deep into Central Europe.
There was also minority Jews. It should be noted that the religion and the state was not separable, they were working together and every European state had an established church where the believers of other religions were not tolerated. The religious minorities were persecuted and discriminated e. g. the Catholics in England had no political right and could not enjoy any privilege that was given to protestants. Even the Protestants were oppressed in France. The religious persecution sometimes forced the Masses to migrate to North and Southern America, Australia and South Africa.
The Church officials were regarded as a pillar of the state and enjoyed the privileged position in administration. In 17th and 18th centuries, Europe witnessed an era/age or period of intellectual revolution. This was a period of philosophers who came up with brilliant ideas about the prevailing situations in Europe. The urged the fellow Europeans to reform the status quo. They included Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Rousseau. Economic condition; Economically most European states depended on agriculture as their major sector of their economies.
The Essay on Why did the industrial revolution begin in Europe?
A number of factors united together in England to bring about the initial Industrial Revolution. One of those being the agricultural revolution of the 18th century. Changes in the methods of farming and stock breeding led to an increase in food production. The British could now feed more people for less money. Now you didn’t have to spend all of your wages on food. The growing population ...
It was on a small scale, with use of poor and rudimentary tools and produced output for home consumption. In fact in many aspects Europeans economies on the eve of the French revolution could be compared to that of Africa to day. Although industrial revolution had occurred in Britain in 1760, it had not spread to other parts of Europe. European economies were still backward with few small scale industries and a few or no banking sector and trade was not profitable. Nobles and the clergy owned land especially in Eastern Europe and other lasses had to supply labor their landlords who were poorly paid and had no right to claim for their payments. All in all European states on the eve of the French revolution were still backward in all spheres of life which necessitated a wind of change; the French revolution of 1789 which changed the status quo to new life of the continent. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 1789 – 1799 The term revolution refers to the fundamental changes to given social, political and economic aspects of life. It may be gradual, drastic or sudden changes in those aspects of life. It may be peaceful or violent.
Such changes usually have long lusting effects to the people where the revolution takes place. Europe had experienced earlier revolutions before 1789 i. e. the reformation and the industrial revolution but what remained the most outstanding of all these revolutions was 1789 French revolution. The French revolution of 1789 was the general massive movement of the oppressed class against the privileged one. It had far reaching impacts not only to French men and European continent but to the world at large. It was a land mark on European history and constituted the foundation of modern European history.
CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Question 1. Discuss the causes of the French revolution of 1789? 2. The system of ancient regime led to the outbreak of the French revolution. Discuss. 3. To what extent were the political philosophers responsible for the outbreak of 1789? The French revolution was caused by long term and immediate factors. It should be noted however that there was no single factor in isolation that led to the outbreak of this revolution but a combination of all factors. 1. The unfair political system of ancient regime caused the French revolution.
The Essay on Turning Points Neolithic Revolution French Revolution And The Industrial Revolution
Political, social, and economic conditions have often led to revolutions that have changed the course of history for nations and peoples. These revolutions had such a significant impact that they can fittingly be labeled turning points. Two of these turning points, the Neolithic and French Revolutions, have drastically altered the world today. During the Paleolithic Period, which lasted from the ...
France was ruled by incompetent and tyrannical leaders under the Bourbon monarchy (ancient regime).
These leaders were not questionable to people but to God. They ruled by the divine rights. The system of ancient regime had rulers who possessed excessive powers over their subjects. The kings had powers to kill, persecute, exile and imprison people without trial which came to be known as letter de- Cachet. By 1789 over 14000 people were victims of that in French prisons. The King was the Constitution, Parliament and the judge in the French society.
All powers of the Nation were in the hands of the King and his advisors. They were corrupt and dictators. This can be manifested (shown) by their remarks. For example, Louis XVI once remarked. “The thing is legal because I wish it” similarly LOUIS XIV said that. “The state is me” all this forced the French masses to revolt for the fair system in 1789. It should be noted however that the political unfairness was not in France only but existed elsewhere for so many years. Then why the revolution occurred particularly in 1789 not before or after. This suggests the contribution of other factors. 2.
The Class Inequalities/Struggles in France. The French society was divided into 2 classes i. e. the privileged and unprivileged class or 3 estates. The privileged class consisted of the 1st and 2nd estates that were the nobles and the clergy. This constituted the smallest population i. e. about 300000 people the 25 millions in French. But enjoyed a lot of privileges (favors) like they owned most of land, stayed around the King, paid high salaries, they were exempted taxations, and above all enjoyed high posts in the government. These favors forced the peasants to revolt so as gain equal treatment.
Within the privileged class there were also inequalities where the nobles were divided into upper nobility and lower nobility. The upper nobility enjoyed more than the lower. In addition, the clergy was also divided into the upper clergy who were the Archbishops and the lower clergy who were the priest. The bishops enjoyed more than the priest. Consequently, the discriminated nobles and clergy sympathized with the 3rd estate in the cause the French revolution. The unprivileged class included the middle class and peasants. The middle class was the educated bourgeoisie and included lawyers, teachers, businessmen, doctors’ etc.
The Dissertation on French Revolution Farm France Les
... French Revolution Throughout many centuries we have seen numerous revolutions take place all over the world, take for example in France, ... peaceful but equal relation with the richer classes, Robespierre saw them as a threat. ... the people were sovereign, not a king. Leading the movement were two key ... financial system was quite dated and very inefficient, much like the rest of the regime. When France ...
Although they were not suffering like peasants, they were discriminated in official posts and government i. e. in the army, and public services they also wanted the freedom of worship and not happy with peasants suffering. They provided the leadership role of the revolution. In addition, when the government faced financial difficulties, it borrowed money from the middle classes and incidentally showed neither willingness nor ability to pay back. This forced them to join and lead the revolution. On top of that grievances it was urge that the middle class resorted into a revolution in order force France acquire colonies.
They complained of financial mismanagement, the extravagancy of the regime and the general deterioration of the French society. Consequently they wanted the government to solve their problems hence revolting into a revolution. The peasants who were the majority of over 80% of the French revolution were in worst conditions. They were poor, illiterate and lived in rural areas. They suffered financial burdens and they were over taxed by the privileged class. They paid several taxes like salt tax, custom duties and tax to the church. This made them to revolt into a revolution in 1789.
They were forced to supply their labor on public work like construction of roads, public buildings at free or little pay. They had no right to claim for anything. They could be bought and sold with land and they were the victims of arbitrary arrests. All those grievances forced them to revolt against their masters in 1789. 3. The influence of the French political philosophers and the encyclopaedists caused the French revolution. These were intellectuals in Europe, they included the writers, economists and political thinkers who criticized and opposed the abuses of the day.
The Essay on The French Revolution Causes And Effects
The French Revolution began in 1789, with the meeting of the Estates General, when the delegates swore not to disband until France had a constitution. In Paris, the Bastille, which was a symbol of royal power, was stormed. From 1789-1790 the National Assembly voted for a constitution, and adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Also, during that time the royal family of King Louis XVI was ...
Their criticisms against the inefficient government influenced the French masses to revolt in 1789. Their role was to en-light the masses about their suffering. It was argued that the political philosophers were the Pioneers of the French revolution because they assisted the masses to understand the abuses of the day. They included the following. a) Voltaire 1694 – 1778: He was a historian, Poet and dramatic in nature. He strongly criticized the catholic religious monopoly, the corrupt clergy and Bastille with its letres de cachet. In his book letters on English, he gave the British political system as the best alternative to France.
However although he attacked the monarch and greatly influenced the bourgeoisie, he did not preach the revolution or the change of the Monarchy as he favored dictatorship. He was once remarked. “I would rather be ruled by one lion than a hundred rats” b) Another philosopher was Montesquieu 1751 – 1772. He was a French man who spent time in exile and admired its institutions. In his book the “Spirit of laws. He was so bitter with the nobilities, clergy privileges and the despotic administration in French. He advocated for the freedom of man and separation of government organs into Legislature, Judicially and Executive.
This inspired the masses on the eve of the French revolution, as one of their major demands was to reduce the King’s power and have equal political representations. c) Jean Jacques Rousseau 1712-1778. He was a French man who was more concerned with the freedom of man. He bitterly criticized the ancient regime for abusing human rights. In his book the social contract he remarked. “Man is born free but everywhere in chains” Such statements insisted the French men about their rights and forced them to revolt into 1789 revolution of the French. d) The Encylopeadist on the other hard led by Denis Dirot.
Their work was to put together all the ideas of the philosophers for the next generation to read. All their teachings influenced the French mass into 1789 revolution. The philosophers provided the theoretical part of the revolution which inspired the masses, however none of them preached for the revolution or change of the monarchy in any case they were not from the oppressed class and above all none of them participated in the 1789 revolution. This explains that their work was somewhat indirect which combined with other factors to cause the French revolution. 4. The influence of the American war of Independence.
The Essay on The French Revolution People France Time
The French Revolution was an unstable, blood-filled time. With 20, 000 sent to the guillotine and an equal number to prison, it is not hard to find importance but rather to find meaning. The most crucial thing to look for in the revolution is justification, reasons that excuse or bring significance to the deaths of many. John Locke, a philosophe of the time, may have argued that a leader who does ...
During this war of 1776 -1783, King Louis XVI of France sent the French troops to assist the Americans as revenge to the British for the loss of her colonies in Canada and India during the seven years war 1756 – 1763. This war had far reaching effects on France although Britain was defeated. This war caused the revolution majorly in two ways i. e. it drained the French treasury, which contributed to the financial difficulties that led to the revolution. The French veterans returned with democratic ideas of social, political and economic equality, Fare taxation and tactics of winning the war.
On their return veteran Lafayette formed secret movements in the army demanding for a change which was achieved in 1789. This partly explains why the army denied King’s orders to crash the revolutionaries in May 1789. They instead fraternized (joined) with the masses against their government. It can be urged here that the philosophers provided theory and the Americans war of independence contributed the practical part of the French revolution. 5. The influence of the British political and social institutions led to the French revolution of the 1789. Britain had better political and social institutions, which were admired by the Frenchmen.
She had a constitution, parliament, Democratic rule and elections. All this acted as a point of reference for the French men and critics for their institutions in favor of the British system. However this was an external and indirect factor for the outbreak of the French revolution. The immediate factors These factors sparked off the French revolution. They came into place on the eve of the French revolution. They included the financial difficulties, the economic difficulties, weakness of the King Louis XVI, character of the queen, dismissal of financial ministers summoning of the estate general meetings. . The bankruptcy of the French treasury (financial crisis) caused the French revolution. The poor taxation system which was exempting the rich from paying tax left the burden to the poor peasants. They could not raise enough revenue yet the collection was so expensive e. g. 60m Franks collected from salt tax cost 20m in collection. They employed about 50,000 troops to collect that tax. More so the little tax collected could be corrupted before reaching the state treasury. The king appointed various finance ministers to revive the situation e. g.
Necker, Turgot, Calonne and Arch Bishop Brienne who proposed the reforms like the abolition of the Nobles’ and the clergy’s privileges, reduction of extravagancy and change in the taxation system and summoning of estates general. This annoyed the Calonne advised him to borrow in order to overcome the financial difficulties. As a consequence a lot of state finances were diverted to paying debts with high interests e. g. by 1788, the interest paid on debts took more than 50% of the state expenditure. This led to serious financial crisis that forced the king to summon the estates general meeting for the solution that sparked off the revolution. . Economic and social crisis caused the French revolution. By 1789 France was in complete economic deterioration. This was in form of scarcity of goods and food, Unemployment, and inflation. For example, between 1730 and 1789 grain prices in France rose by 60% where as the wage increased by 20%. This led to low standards of living, which forced the masses to revolt against the regime for its failure to solve the problems. In addition, the1786 free commercial treaty between France and Britain complicated the situation. It opened the French market for the British manufactured goods at a cheaper price.
The British goods outcompeted French goods that made the French industries to collapse, leading to loss of revenue and unemployment that led to the revolution.. The 1788 disastrous weather (heavy rainfall) led to revolution. This ruined harvest in villages. Many hungry families left the villages for towns where they expected to find their survival but in vein. The little food available was shared among the privileged and the peasant remained with nothing. This grouped them into angry and hungry mobs that participated in revolution. This calamity was followed with severe winter of early 1789 where all great rivers frozen.
This made the importation of food impossible and worsened people’s suffering that led to the revolt against the regime. 8. The Catholic Church caused the French revolution. The church was hated by the French masses because of several reasons. It was undemocratic, denied the masses their freedom of worship, it oppressed the masses with the state, owned the land, corrupt, dominated education, discriminated non Catholics, exploited the peasants with taxes and its officers lived luxurious life. This was bitterly criticized by Voltaire and led to the revolution. 9.
The weakness and character of King Louis XVI By 1789 France was under the leadership of Louis XVI who was not intelligent but stubborn. He did not take any interest in public work but spent most of his hobbies like hunting, and manufacturing padlocks. He was so weak and over shadowed by his wife Marie Anttonaitte. He caused the French Revolution in the following ways. a) He created a weak administration that paved way for the revolution. Unlike his predecessors, Louis the XVI was a King by name and power but his character was incapable of leading the state.
He failed to maintain dictatorship and had loose administration that relaxed the press. This gave space for the ideas of philosophers to spread, which set the revolutionary ideas into motion. b) Louis the XVI was a weak minded leader who never stood by his words e. g. he loved reforms to improve on the conditions of the masses but failed to implement them because he was under the influence of the privileged class and his wife who had no sympathy for others. A revolution could have been postponed or (averted) if the King had a strong decision. ) He was a lousy administrator who ignored public work for his leisure especially hunting in his royal garden. He left most of his official work to his ministers, who corrupted, emblazed and oppressed the masses, which made the revolution inevitable or possible. d) The King failed to implement the reforms proposed by financial ministers’ e. g. Turgot, Necker Brienne and instead dismissed them. This annoyed the masses because their reforms were seen as a solution to financial difficulties and their suffering. e) The King was also responsible for the worsening social and economic situation of 1789.
The free trade treaty he signed with Britain though strengthened the relationship between Britain and France; it however caused more problems to France, which led to the revolution. It led to the loss of revenue, which could have helped to solve the financial crisis. Secondly, the British goods out competed the French goods which resulted into collapse of the French industry that set in unemployment. This forced masses to flock to Paris that ended up into formation of angry crowds that were responsible for the sparking off of the French revolution. ) Louis was responsible for the financial difficulties of 1789 that led to the French revolution. Although this was been in place since 1715 in his regime, it became worse and worse due to his financial mismanagement and extravagancy. He spent luxuriously at his court with his wife even at the time when the treasury was empty. g) He lacked foresight when he sent his troops in America to fight for them that enlightened the French men about the situation at home. After the war the French Veterans like Lafayette became one of the leaders of the revolution.
Besides the American war of independence increased the financial difficulties which led to the French revolution of 1789. h) Louis XVI failed to give direction to the estate’s general meeting he called in May 1789 which marked the beginning of the French revolution. He failed to settle the sitting arrangement and left the situation to take its own direction which forced the third estate (un privileged) to declare themselves a national assembly (parliament) for France. 10. The dismissal of financial ministers led to the revolution.
Due to the financial difficulties, the king was forced to appoint different ministers to find solutions for example Necker, Turgot, Calonne, Arch bishop Brienne. They proposed a number of reforms which led to their dismissal by the king on the advice of the privileged and the Queen, like abolition of privileges, reduction of extravagancy at the king’s court, change of taxation etc. However their dismissal annoyed the French masses and led the revolution since they had taken their reforms as a solution to their problems. 11. The role of Marie Antoinette 1755-1793.
She was the daughter of the king from Austria-Hungary. She was hated by the French masses due to her Austrian origin. She was always referred to as the Austrian woman . she had no sympathy to French masses, always misguided and overshadowed the king e. g. to dismiss financial ministers which led to the revolution. The queen was extravagant, proud and lived luxurious life for instance she was looked after by 500 servants and used to put on four pairs of expensive shoes a week. She did not care about the suffering of French masses e. . one time when the king was approached by the peasants to provide solution to food crisis, she advised them to try expensive cakes if they could not afford cheap breads! Such statement increased the motion of the revolution. 12. The summoning the estates general meeting This was the most immediate factor that sparked off the French revolution. The Estate general was the National assembly of France but had not met for the last 175 years. In May 1789 the King convened the estate general on the advice of Necker the financial advisor .
On whole about 60,000 People met at Versailles and the King was supposed to use his wisdom as King to address them and find solution to the prevailing problems. Unfortunately the King failed to agree with other members about the sitting arrangement as he insisted that the sitting arrangement meeting should be according to ancient arrangement I. e. in classes. This was opposed by the third estate and the result was the declaration of the 3rd estate a National assembly by Mirabeau a noble man. This marked the beginning of the French revolution.
This caused the revolution, as it gave chance to the disgruntled Frenchmen to gather in one place and share their problems which gave then confident to revolt. It’s possible that if the meeting had not been called the revolution would not have occurred since people would have remained in countryside with their problems. In short by 1789, there was enough material for the revolutionary situation in France. This was in form of unfair political system, weakness of the king, economic and social distress, and bankruptcy of French treasury, which all made the revolution inevitable.
WHY DID THE REVOLUTION BREAKOUT IN FRANCE FIRST AND NOT ELSEWHERE IN EUROPE? The political, social and economic situations, which existed in France, were not different from the rest of Europe. The conditions were similar and some times worse in other areas like Poland, Russia, Austria and Turkey. For example the French peasants were better off than those in Russia, Eastern and central Europe. However the revolution broke out in France 1st due to the following reasons. ? The French King Louis XVI was so weak compared to his counter parts in Europe.
He was not firm like Tsar Catherine of Russia, Joseph II of Austria to control the peasants. He inherited a dictatorial regime when he himself was not a dictator. That’s why some times sympathized with the peasants’ demands but he could not enforce them thus revolution in France first. ? France had strong middle class in Europe. Unlike other middle class in Eastern and central Europe who were either small or weak and could not provide a strong resistance against the oppressive rule. The middle class in France were strong to organize and mobilize against the oppressive regime. The French peasants were better off and more free than their counter parts elsewhere in Europe. It’s therefore argued that a man who is partially oppressed becomes more eager to fight for his rights than one who had never enjoyed any right at all. This forced the French peasants to fight for their rights 1st than their counter parts in Europe who had never enjoyed any right at all. ? The exposure of French men to the revolutionary American war of independence prepared them faster for the revolution than their counter parts elsewhere in Europe.
In this war the French men got the example and clear reasons to declare war against the injustice at home as the Americans had done, this did not exist elsewhere in Europe. ? The influence of the French political philosophers and writers explains this phenomenon. Although their criticism and complaints where universal, they had France as their main target. Therefore their ideas had greater impact on French men then other Europeans from elsewhere this made them to result into a revolution 1st in Europe. ? France experienced immediate factors that were never felt by other European states.
These factors included the financial difficulties, which put the King into a desperate situation to an extent of calling estates general meeting, which marked the beginning of the French revolution. In addition, the social and economic crisis of 1788-89 where not faced by other European states. This was in form of unemployment, famine, inflation caused by severe winter, disastrous weather and economic mismanagement, all complicated the lives of French masses and prepared them to revolt 1st in Europe. THE COURSE OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
The course of French revolution centered on the major events, which took place one after another and their effects on the French society. This course can be grouped into various stages i) the period between 1789 and 1791 which is referred to as the gradual and peaceful revolution ii) The period between 1792 and 1795 is known as period of violence (terror) iii) 1795 – 1799 known as the period of directory government characterized by corruption and embezzlement of public funds The events that took place in the course of the French revolution were as follows 1. The estates general meeting of May 1789 . The storming of Bastille July 1789 3. The declaration of the rights of man and citizen august 1789. 4. The civil constitution of the clergy (CCC) July 1790 5. Matching of women to Kings Court at Versailles Oct 1790. 6. Kings attempted flight to Verennes June 1791. 7. The reign of terror 1972 – 95 8. The directory government 1795-99 Qn. Asses the significance of any 4 (four) major events in the course of the French revolution up to 1793 THE ESTATES GENERAL MEETING: This was the parliament of France comprising of three estates but had never met for the last 175years.
It was summoned by the king on 5th May 1789 to find solutions to the prevailing problems in France e. g. social distress, dictatorship, bankruptcy, unemployment etc. About 60,000 members from all estates gathered at Versailles to present their grievances. Unfortunately the delegates failed to reach a compromise about the sitting arrangement as the king insisted on following the old order i. e. each estate to sit separately. This was rejected by the third estate, which was the majority. Consequently count de Mirabeau a noble man declared to third estate a National assembly of France and invited other estates to join them.
On 17th May 1789 however they were joined by some parish priests from the privileged class. When the King sent the troops to close the hall where the third estate was he was surprised when this forces fraternized with the revolutionaries and proceeded to a place known as Tennis court nearby. They took an oath known as the Tennis court oath. In this Oath they solemnly swore to continue with the revolution and never to separate. On 27th June 1789 the King ordered the nobles and clergy to join the national assembly. It was the time when country was filled with crimes and violence especially robbery, which the King could not control.
This forced the revolutionaries to set up a committee to restore law and order in Paris. This committee came to be known as Paris commune that became the National Guard to protect the gains of the revolution. The significances of the estates general meeting a) It exposed unity and determination of the 3rd estate especially at Tennis Court Oath where they vowed never to separate until the constitution had been given. b) It portrayed the weaknesses of the King when he failed to guide the meeting and to stop the revolution instead ordered other estates to join the 3rd estate as the National assembly. c) It marked the st victory for the revolutionaries and gave them more courage and confident to face more challenges in future. THE STORMING OF BASTILE 14th JULY 1789 Bastille was a state Prison where the victims of lettre de cachet were kept. This prison had existed for ages and it was a symbol of French Royal despotism. On 14th July 1789, the hungry and angry mobs led by an auditor and journalist by the names of Desmoulins headed to Bastille and destroyed, and released the innocent prisoners. The significances for the storming of Bastille a) The storming of Bastille meant the fall of despotism and the end of the lettre de cachet .
p to day 14th July is a National celebration in France in remembrance of the destruction of despotism. b) It marked the beginning of revolutionary procession (real progress) because the National assembly was recognized and the National Guard became revolutionary army. c) The royal army was dissolved and replaced with the National Guard under the command of Laffayette. This guard was organized in all towns. d) It marked the beginning of violence in the course of the French revolution. The peasants began to attack the homes of the nobles and the clergy for example; nearly 200 people were killed including the governor of the province. ) The King was forced to abandon the royal flag (white flag) and adopt the revolutionary Tricolor flag (an emblem of the revolution) of red, white and blue colors. This annoyed him to an extent that he re fused to address the National Guard. f) It led to the first emigration of the reactionary nobility to Austria and Prussia. These became the Emigres and were led by the king’s brother Comte de Artois who destabilized France in later years. g) It was a 2nd stage in the downfall of the ancient regime following the first event when Mirabeau declared the 3rd estates a National assembly. THE DECLARATION OF RIGHTS OF MAN AND CITIZEN AUGUST 1789
In August 1789 the National assembly met and began drafting a new constitution for France. They began with the issue of declaring human rights where veteran Lafayette, was a key player, the rights included: -Equality of all men, Freedom of speech, Press, Worship and many others After drafting, the document was taken to the King for endorsement but rejected. This sparked off more serious events in the cause of the French revolution. The significance a) It gave birth to equality of all men before law, to gain political office, to air out anything and many others b) It brought all French masses together since they were all equal.
This gave them more courage to continue with the revolution. c) It manifested King’s unwillingness to adopt changes when he refused to sign the documents for the declaration of rights of man and citizens. d) The rights given to the peasants were later misused which created chaos and violence in later years that followed. This brought the reign of terror. e) These rights remained on paper and little was done for the French masses which also brought problems in France, it created insecurities because whenever the government failed to protect them was to be over thrown. ) It led to other events like match of women to Versailles. THE ABOLITION OF FEUDAL PREVILLAGES AUGUST 1789 After storming of Bastille the state of lawlessness continued in France, which forced the National Assembly to search for the solution. When they met al Versailles a noble man proposed for the abolition of feudal rights and dues on 4th August 1789. This was opposed by some of the nobles but the National Assembly agreed to effect the equality of taxation among classes, Equality before law, abolition of the tithe tax and many others By the end of that night, the national Assembly had entirely destroyed the feudal system.
It looked as if the peasants had got all what they wanted from the revolution but the situation forced to continue. THE MARCH OF WOMEN TO VERSAILES OCT 1789 In October 1789 women and some men dressed in women dresses, went to the King’s court at Versailles to present their grievances to him. These grievances included provision of food due to severe famine, forcing the King to sign the document of rights of man and citizens and there were rumors that the King wanted to replace the French guard with Mercenaries from Prussia and Austria.
On reaching the King’s court they found him busy hunting and the Queen angered them more when she advised them to try cakes if they couldn’t afford cheap bread. However the king promised special food supplies, and agreed to sign the document for the rights of man and citizen. On 6th October 1789 the King was forced to move from Versailles with his family members to Paris amidst chanting from revolutionists with insulting songs. He was kept at the royal Palace in Paris called Tuileries as a prisoner. Significance a) It demonstrated the frustrations and disappointments of the French masses brought by the social difficulties of 1788. ) It showed the Kings negligence when was found hunting instead of attending to state duties that would have stopped the continuation of the revolution. c) The king continuously lost his powers when he was forced to move from Versailles and kept in a royal palace at Tuileries as a prisoner. d) It manifested the importance of Paris as centre for revolutionary activities in France. e) The King recognized the declaration of rights of man and citizen document, the National Guard and promised food. THE CIVIL CONSTITUTION OF THE CLERGY (CCC) JULY 1790 Before 1789 French revolution, the Church enjoyed a lot of privileges in the French Society.
They include. ? The Church controlled large estates of land, ? supervised education, ? officers paid high salaries ? Received tax ? Church officers (clergy) were exempted from taxation. ? High posts in government ? Stayed around the King ? Luxurious life ? Catholic religion monopoly ? Church being inseparable. These privileges were highly attacked by philosophers especially Voltaire which forced the national assembly in 1790 to attack the church and the pope in document known as the civil constitution of the Clergy. It had the following provisions: – a) Catholic Church became a mere part of the state and not a state with in a state. It was separated from the state).
Its powers to influence political policies were stopped. b) The clergymen became civil servants and were to be paid salaries by the state. c) The clergy had to be appointed by the state and had to take an oath of royalty to the constitution. d) Pope’s powers were reduced to a mere head of the Catholic Church. e) Bishop’s salaries were reduced while of priests increased. Significance’s of the CCC a) It manifested the grievances within the 1st estate and their sympathy to the peasants. Some clergy favored it while others rejected it.
In fact it was reported that the idea for CCC was proposed by some bishops (clergy) in the National assembly. As a consequence the church was divided into two i. e. those who favored it and those who opposed it. b) It separated the Church from the state. It lost all its powers and was reduced to a mere department of the state. c) For the 1st time in the history, the church official became civil servants directly under the state and not under the pope as it was before. d) It terminated the Catholic Church’s monopoly over the ownership of land. Church’s lands were distributed among peasants and another part went to the state. ) It broke the catholic religion’s monopoly in France where all other religions were allowed to be worship besides catholic religion. f) It led to the death of some clergymen who refused the C. C. C. After the declaration of C. C. C the radical revolutionaries proceeded to the clergy’s homes to destroy their properties and kill them. g) Many of the clergy who denounced or opposed the C. C. C went to exile with some nobles for security reasons. They became to be known as Emigres. h) It expressed Kings uncompromising characters to the revolution, when he denounced the C. C.
C and decided to seek aid from a broad that led to his attempted escape in June 1791. THE KINGS ATTEMPTED FLIGHT TO VERENNES- JUNE 1791 By 1791 the King was fed up of the constant reforms from the revolutionaries e. g. He was not happy with the declaration of man and citizens document, the march of women and the C. C. C which he considered the disobedience to the holly pope. At this time a number of French Nobles and clergy had left the country to organize against the revolutionaries. He decided to escape and meet them in Austria where he hoped to get help from emperor Leopold his brother in law to fight the revolutionaries.
It was the same time when Mirabeau who would have stopped him from escaping died (April 1791).
Unfortunately he was caught at Verennes when he was remaining with only 20 miles to cross to Austria. He was brought back Paris amidst hostile demonstration and humiliation. He was imprisoned and later executed with his wife in January 1793. Significance a) Louis XVI lost his respect as a King when people looked at him as hopeless who deserved a death penalty. b) The revolutionaries looked at him as a traitor who betrayed the revolution and therefore deserved a heavy punishment. ) It led to the collapse of the monarchy in 1792 as the revolutionaries learnt that they could run the state without the King. THE 1st FRENCH CONSTITUTION SEPTEMBER 1791 After King’s return from Paris, the National assembly met and gave France the 1st constitution including the declaration of rights of man and citizens. In this constitution the King was recognized as a leader of France and given some powers like electing ministers. This constitution turned the ancient monarchy (bourbon monarchy) into a constitutional monarchy, which was opposed by some members like Murrat and Robespierre.
According to the constitution, the King was to govern the state with the legislative assembly which had the powers to set laws, fixing taxes, controlling public expenditure etc. However the constitution limited the peasant from being elected to the legislative assembly. Since one had to pay a certain amount of tax which the peasant could not afford. The state was divided into new administrative units of 83 departments to replace the old provinces. These departments were headed by prefects and sub divided into districts containing communes. These divisions were to be led by new elected officials.
The constitution dissolved Mirabeau’s’ National assembly and organized for new election to the legislative assembly in October 1791. At this time the revolution was all most complete but the event took another direction of terror. THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY: The October1791 elections to the new National assembly brought in inexperienced deputies (MPS) who were divided along political lines. For example, some were in favor of the constitution monarchy while others the republic government. The result was the birth of political clubs (parties) e. g. a) The Jacobin club: This comprised of the middle class and had branches in the whole country.
It first favored the constitutional monarchy but later switched to republicanism. This club dominated the legislative assembly and they were radicals i. e. ready to punish anyone thought to be anti-revolution. After the downfall of the monarchy in 1792 the Jacobin club became the most influential political group in France with its leaders like Robespierre. b) The Girondins: These shared the same opinion as the Jacobins and had actually originated from the Jacobins club. They supported the over throwing of the King and loved war as the only weapon to defend the revolution.
Their prominent leaders were Madane Roland, Brissot. c) The Cordeliers was for the extreme republicans. It composed of the middle class and the working masses, but their influence was limited to Paris. Their leaders included Danton and Murrat etc. They supported the over throw of the king and the monarchy. The legislative assembly was characterized by growing opposition against the King, increased hostilities of the Emigres, hostilities between France and the rest of Europe. The result was rebellions and wars between France and rest of Europe that complicated the lives of the French men.
THE 10th AUGUST ATTACK OF THE KING AND THE SEPTEMBER MASSACRE 1792: The public sentiments gradually changed from tolerance of the King to favor of absolute republications. On 10th August 1792 a mob group organized by radicals invaded the Kings palace at Tuileries and requested him to retire. He sought refugee from assembly, which instead suspended him from his duties. Consequently many people who had been suspected of sympathizing with the King and other anti revolutionary forces were imprisoned and on September 2nd 1792 were indiscriminately massacred by Marat of the Cordeliers club.
The same massage was sent to the whole country, as it was seen as the only way to defend the Nation. EXECUTION OF THE KING AND THE ABOLITION OF THE MONARCHY: After the suspension of the King, there was a strong growth of republicanism pressure which made the 1791 institution useless. A nation convention was called to formulate the new constitution of the republic. The convention was elected by a universal manhood suffrage that voted for the republican government to replace the monarchy. On 25th September 1792 the convention met and abolished the monarchy, replaced it with the republican government.
In December 1792 the National convention established a court and tried the King for treason. He was declared guilty and later sentenced to death with his wife on January 1793. EXECUTION OF THE KING AND THE ABOLITION OF MONARCHY: After the suspension of the King, there was a growing republican pressure which made the 1791 constitution useless A national convention was called for the purpose of formulating the new constitution of the republic. The convention was elected by a universal manhood suffrage that overwhelmingly voted in favor of the republican government to replace the monarchy.
On 25th September 1792 the convention met and abolished the monarchy, replaced it with the republican government. In December 1792 the National convention instituted its self into a court and tried the King for treason. He was declared guilty and later sentenced to death with his wife on January 21st 1793. The convention government lasted from 1792 – 1795. Revision questions; 1. Why was the monarchy abolished in 1792? 2. Account for the collapse of the ancient regime by 1792? The revolution started as a mere agitation/demand for reforms in French political, social and economic spheres of life.
No one wanted to over throw the monarchy, even the philosophers just preached for reforms and none of them suggested the for the revolution. All earlier events like C. C. C, declaration of the 3rd estate a National assembly and even the 1st constitution retained the King and the monarchy. However by 1792 the King had been suspended from executing his duties, monarchy abolished and he was executed with his wife. The downfall of the monarchy may be blamed on the King himself, his advisors, his opponents and the circumstances beyond his control. The reasons for the downfall of the monarchy can be explained as elow. a) Kings failure to draw up a program to direct the trends of changes before events moved out of his hands led the collapse of the monarchy inevitable. He left the revolution to take its own way, which eventually resulted into the abolition of the monarchy. He was so weak and unprincipled leader who failed to control the events of the revolution right from the beginning. He left everything in the hands of the peasants. b) The King’s negative attitudes towards the events in the revolution also cost him his throne and his life. He stood to be an enemy of the revolution right from the beginning e. g.
He resisted the self declared National Assembly of the 3rd estate, supported the emigre’s opposed the declaration of man and citizen document and reacted bitterly the C. C. C which all demonstrated him as anti revolution and therefore deserved to be over thrown and killed. c) The King’s attempted flight was also cited as one of the worst blunders committed and led to the collapse of the monarchy. In first instance it portrayed him a true enemy of the revolution and gave the revolutionaries an insight that they could manage the monarchy without him. This partly explained why he was requested to retire immediately on his return to Paris. ) The King should also be blamed for his past mistakes that led to the collapse of his monarchy e. g. sending French troops to go to America in their war of independence where they learnt revolutionary ideas. It was in America where the French men learnt that the ruling system can be replaced by another. e) Lack of Outstanding moderate leaders to reconcile the King, the monarchy with the revolutionaries led to the collapse of the King. King’s fate was sealed because of lack of such leaders to provide effective leadership to the revolution and reconcile the King with the revolution.
Mira beau who had emerged as an outstanding leader of the National assembly died April 1791 while Lafayette was more of a soldier than a politician and was even un popular before the King and Queen. Those who remained were radicals who undermined the King and the monarchy. f) The increased activities of the Paris mobs that eventually came to dominate the revolution sealed the fate f the King and the monarchy. Although the King gradually became unpopular, there was some sympathy from peasants in provinces.
Unfortunately, with the formation of the Paris commune, the trend of the revolution was now determined by the middle class and workers who were radicals. By 1792, they had totally revolted from the publicans that led to the abolition of the monarchy. g) The external factors also undermined the monarchy leading to it’s over throw and execution of the King. This was in form of intervention from other European states against the revolutionary activities e. g. in 1792 July Prussia and Austria threatened to crush Paris if the royal family was harmed this came under the Brunswick manifesto.
This was not welcome by the revolutionaries and instead called in more preparations for defense and hatred to the King and the monarchy. h) The French revolutionary wars with the rest of Europe led to the down all of the monarchy and the King. When the wars in started between France and the rest of Europe, the revolutionaries who sympathized with the King and monarchy initially withdrew their support and resorted to defense of the nation. The King was looked at as a person who conspired other states to fight France and hence his increased hatred i) The nature of the monarchy led to its failure.
The monarchy was unfair in its political, social and economical setting. It encouraged the discrimination in all spheres of life, which all annoyed the French men. j) The emergency of different political clubs with their intention to capture power led to the collapse of the monarchy. These clubs included the Jacobin, Girondins Cordeliers, which composed of radicals who hated the monarchy and established republican government. THE ARCHIEVEMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY 1789 TO 1792: The period 1789 – 1792 is referred to as the reign of the constitutional monarchy.
Although the constitution came in force in 1791, this monarchy was credited for the following; 1. It revived parliamentary representation and debate after Collapse of (2 centuries).
This was inaugurated by the meeting f the estates general of 5th May 1789 and later National assembly which was recognized by the King. 2. The monarchy abolished feudalism, unfair taxation and customs. For the first time in history of France, all French men were equal before law taxes and eligible to any office. 3. The monarchy was credited for introducing and formulating the constitution for France which granted freedom of Man.
This was a biggest achievement and a blow to absolute powers of the ancient regime. In fact the declaration of rights of man and citizens had been referred to as the “death certificate” to the ancient regime and eventually become a gospel of European states liberals. 4. It was also credited for revising of the over lapping and confusing political administrative units to new one e. g. the country was divided into departments, districts, and communes which facilitated the efficient administration up to today, it has remained the basic administrative units in France. . The monarchy decentralized powers to the local leaders, which eased decision-making. Before 1789 French revolution there were high degrees of centralization of powers. The local representatives of the King (intend ants) were appointed to administer the provinces and were directly answerable to the King. 6. The monarchy was credited for the reduction of the National debt that had consumed half of the National expenditure by 1788. The struggle to reduce it was initiated by the national assembly and taken over by the successive regimes.
They reduced the luxuries, nationalized church’s land that acted as security for government money from the public. 7. The monarchy reduced church’s position in France through the CCC, it reduced the privileges enjoyed by the church in the state of affairs and they created new order of freedom of worship. THE FRENCH REPUBLIC UNDER THE CONVETION GOVERNMENT 1792 – 1795 The government lasted from 1792 – 1795. It had the following features; i) More concentration of powers in the hands of the few revolutionary extremist based in Paris ii) Wars between France and the rest of Europe iii) Worsening economic distress v) Civil unrest in France v) The reign of terror. THE REVOLUTIONARY WARS When the French revolution broke out, the public opinion in Europe especially from the intellectuals were positive. The revolution was seen as a positive development in the history of mankind and a step forward for human freedom. The attitude of European states toward revolutionary France were passive but hostile which later led to confrontations from 1792 known as revolutionary war. The revolutionary wars were the wars between France and rest of Europe that started in April 1792 when the National assembly declared war on Austria.
This was joined by Prussia, later Britain, and Holland, Spain and Italian states. Many other European states joined the war to fight the revolutionary France in what is historically known as the first Military Coalition of 15 states. CAUSES OF THE revolutionary war 1. The threat brought by the French revolution to European monarchies. Through the French revolution, France had abolished feudalism, destroyed the absolute rule of the ancient regime brought in reforms, which emphasized equality and liberty of all French men. All these threatened European states that were still under despotic rule and led to the wars. 2.
Austria and Prussia’s act of giving asylum to the emigres led to the wars. The emigres were the enemies of the revolution who exiled themselves to mobilize against revolutionary France. This strained their relationship and forced France to declare war on them thus revolutionary wars. 3. The Propaganda and appeals of the emigres for armed assistance led to the wars. They called upon German princes, Prussia and Austrian monarchy for assistance to the force their way back to France, Suppress the revolution and to restore the glorious powers of the ancient regime. These states and the emigres joined to fight revolutionary France. . The desire of defend the fellow monarchy by European states led to the war. By 1792, nearly all-European states were ruled by monarchies. They therefore considered it as their obligation not only to oppose but overthrow the new government in 1792. This was well illustrated in the Brunswick manifesto of July 1792 and the revolution in France, but also to defend fellow monarchy that had been over Plinitz declaration where Austria and Prussia threatened to fight France if the King was not restored. Such reaction met stiff resistance from the revolutionaries, which resulted into war. 5.
The execution of the King and queen strained the relationship between France and the rest of Europe, which led to the war. It sharpened the conflicts between France and Austria that desired to revenge for the death of King and their daughter Marie Antoinette. 6. The succession of Francis II to Austrian throne in March 1792 increased the war tension. Francis II unlike Leopold II was more enthusiastic and favored the war policy against France at whatever cost. It should be noted that the war against the revolutionary France was inevitable far back as 1790 but his succession accelerated it.
Therefore, the political leadership in Austria made the revolutionary war inevitable. The political atmosphere in France led to the wars. The Jacobins and the Girondins clubs desired war to any country considered as anti-revolution as the only way to protect the revolution. The royalists also favored war with the hope that the revolutionary France would be weakened and get a chance to restore their monarchy. This explains why France declared war to any country that suspected to be anti-revolution. The change in the public opinion in Europe towards France also led to war.
When the revolution broke out in France, the public opinion in many European states supported it. However gradually the public opinion turned against the revolution due to its atrocities committed e. g. the September massacred of 1792, Humiliation of the pope and the church, execution of the King and queen, reign of terror etc. All these raised European concern against the revolution e. g. even Britain that had remained neutral in the initial stages of the war later expelled French ambassador from London especially after the execution of the King. Therefore the war was seen as the only way to save human civilization in Europe.
The war between France and rest of Europe was partly caused by economic interest. From 1792, the revolutionary government under the Girondins canceled all commercial treaties between France and Britain, Belgium and Holland,. Such policies were dangerous to middle class in other parts of Europe and eventually led the conflicts that ended into the war. In addition the revolutionary France invaded Holland in 1793 yet Holland was a chiefly trading partner of England, such actions of threatened Britain’s economic interest which had to be silenced by the war. The strong army in France forced them to fight the wars.
Its Urged that by 1792 France a great number of a standing army in the whole of Europe. This army was put under effective command like under “Napoleon Bonaparte” and at a later such army diverted, her intentions to war since she was confident of victories over the enemies. The conflicts between France and Austria was partly brought by the disagreement over the claims of the Germany Provinces that had been deprived of their feudal rights under the French province of Alsace. , when feudalism was formally abolished in France, the princesses rejected indemnity offered by the French government and demanded for the restoration of their rights.
They appealed to Austrian emperor who was at a time the Leader of Holy Roman Empire for assistance. Although this appeal did not really mean war in France, It contributed towards making the relationship between France and Austria more sour that led to the war. The declaration of France a republic threatened European powers and mobilized to fight revolutionary France. EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WARS: a) The revolutionary wars led to the reign of terror that claimed the lives of French men and caused a lot of destruction in France. b) The wars led to the destruction of the monarchy . he Kings’ palace were attacked due to the hatred that were brought by the wars. After the war even the revolutionaries that had sympathy to the King and monarchy withdrew it for defending the state. The consequence was the abolition of the monarchy and execution of the King. c) The revolutions in France and the rest of Europe during the war, trade and commerce were disrupted, industries collapsed and unemployment came in. d) The wars led to the spread of the revolutionary activities to other areas of Europe. Revolutionary ideas of liberty, equality and Fraternity were expanded to Italians, German states that were conquered during the wars. ) The wars increased enmity between France and Europe which was seen with the formation of more coalition against revolutionary France e. g. the 2nd coalition of 1798, 3rd of 1803 and 4th coalition of 1814. f) The war led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe. Napoleon participated actively and rose from one rank to another which forced him to make a coup in 1799. g) They led to emergency of international cooperation in order to fight the revolutionary France. for the first time in history, European states grouped themselves to fight France.
This cooperation developed up to today is united Nations organization (UNO) h) Wars brought political instabilities and insecurity in France. This brought greater suffering among European masses. i) France managed to acquire territories and maternal Gains in the war. She acquired Italian and Germans states from Austrian and looted the Italians art that was put in French Museum. j) The wars increased financial crisis in France and the rest Europe as more funds were diverted to the war. A lot of resources were wasted during the war in form of supply for ammunitions in the war.
This left the countries in financial crisis, which increased suffering of their masses. k) The war led to the loss of lives and property in Europe. It sharpened the differences between Girondins and the Jacobins in France who started to accuses one another for being anti – revolution. As a result, they started to fight one another, which ended up into the Reign of Terror. Hence ended up in what is historically known as Reign of Terror. THE WARS AND EUROPEAN COALITION By 1793 the French found themselves into a war against the coalition of 15 European states with Britain at the centre.
This is what came to be known as the first coalition. France was defeated in initial stages e. g. she was defeated at Neorwinden and lost Belgium to Austria. Later she re- organized her armies and re-occupied Belgium in 1794. She also occupied Holland and registered several successes in the later years like Italians campaign where French forces under Napoleon Bonaparte defeated Austrians and looted a lot of Italian treasure. By 1799 France had won the first coalition and became ready for the 2nd coalition with only Britain unchallenged CIVIL DISTURBANCES AND REBELLIONS IN FRANCE:
The period of war in France coincided with insurgencies and civil disturbances at home. There were a number of riots; death and fighting in many provinces like Toulon, Lyons even in Paris, and these disturbances were caused by a number of factors. a) Governments’ act to force more French men into government army. b) Opposition from the church due to the civil constitution of the clergy led to rebellion of the Catholics. b) Many peasants especially in provinces were not happy with the way the king was treated. c) In Paris the riots were caused by the food scarcity and inflation. ) There were clashes among political clubs with different ideologies e. g. Jacobins and Girondins, Cordeliers etc. The above disturbances coupled with the tension of war created a fertile ground for the confusion, which led to the reign of terror. THE REIGN OF TERROR 1792 – 1795 The French revolution started as a peaceful movement in 1789 apart from some cases of violence like the storming of Bastille, which can be neglected compared to full-scale violence of 1792 – 1795. The peaceful trend of the revolution ended and was replaced by violence climaxing into what is historically known as the reign of terror.
The reign of terror was a period of violence, mass execution, imprisonment, period of lawlessness, dictatorship and a panic among citizens. It was a period between 1792 and 1795 governed by the convention of government under the Jacobins club with Robespierre as a leader. It started with September Massacre of 1792, followed by execution of the King and his wife and reached a full-scale violence up to 1795. CAUSES OF THE REIGN OF TERROR a) The threat from foreign countries to attack the revolutionary France caused terror.
This came in Austria and Pilnitz declaration and Brunswick manifesto that threatened to attack France and restore their fellow King. This situation intensified by the wars in which France sustained initial defeats that created a desperate situation at home. This situation forced the revolutionist to put up strict measures for dealing with those that were suspected to be dealing with the enemies. The government in particular came up with reckless laws of suspect, where hundreds of French men that were suspected to be ant-revolution even innocent ones were massacred. ) The collaboration of the King with the enemies of the revolution caused the terror. The King collaborated with the emigres who had been sighted as the enemies of the revolution. He was seen as an enemy and traitor of the French masses. This was emphasized by his objection to C. C. C and his appeal for foreign assistance to crash the revolution. This culminated into his death and those suspected to be his sympathizers hence terror. c) The influence of the emigres from abroad caused terror. They made appeal to powers like Austria, Prussia for armed assistance right from C. C.
C to force their way back to France. They had mobilized a threatening force of about 30,000 troops on the French-Austrian border. Such situations created chaos and panic among the French men. In reaction extremist led by led by Murrat began the terror by massacring 1500 people suspected to be royalists sympathizers on 2nd September 1792. The policy was extended to all parts of France as a tool to defend the revolution of France hence the terror. d) The untimely death of Mirabeau in April 1791 paved the way of terror. Mirabeau was one of the most outstanding revolutionary leaders right from 1789.
He could control the stubborn characters of the revolutionaries and often advised the King. His death therefore left the revolutionaries without a man of his caliber but only extremist and radicals like Murrat, Danton, and Robespierre who were so revenge full. They turned the state into terror as the only way to get rid of those suspected to be anti – revolutionaries. e) The emergency of violent political clubs facilitated the terror. The clubs included the Jacobins clubs, Cordelier club. These club emerged from 1891 constitutional disappointments, they clubs were rivals and had contrasting political ideologies.
They competed for power and whatever party that gained power prevented others and branded them anti revolution and there for had to be massacred. f) The disappointed hopes of the French men especially the working class generated hunger and violence in France which caused terror. They expected a lot of reforms from the 1789 French revolution however by 1793 they had been disappointed by the inequalities and injustices in French society in form of worsening the social and economic conditions of the peasants, Limited French (voting rights) etc. Consequently they encouraged slaughter and chaos as away to nurse their disappointments hence terror. ) The growing strength of the mobs in France led to terror. These were hungry and angry French men right from the 1789. They drove the events of the revolution. They were radicals and became unruly as the French revolution advanced from the 1st phase to another . by 1792 their number had gradually increased and their actions were promoted by leaders for example Robespierre, Murrat, and Danton. They were so extreme and killed 100s (hundreds) of French men suspected to be anti revolution. h) The declaration of rights of man and citizens in August 1789 also brought problems that led to terror.
The French men got excited and crazy due to the freedom given to them. They misused their freedom of speech and started to form public debates especially on political issues and criticized the government. People started accusing one another and killing one another due to excitement about human rights. Consequently the government employed force to bring back the situation to normal which turned as the reign of terror. i) The reign of terror can also be attributed the desire by the revolutionaries to export revolutionary ideas to other countries.
Such desires threatened other European monarchies and started mobilizing against France. This resulted into wars between France and the rest of Europe. The revolutionaries reacted by massacring whoever suspected to be sympathizers to those countries as the only tool to defend the state and the revolution. j) The formation of the revolutionary tribunals and committee of public safety caused the reign of terror. These bodies were formed to defend France internally and externally, they had powers to make laws, Arrest and kill all those suspected to be anti revolution.
As a consequence many French men even the innocent ones were victimized and killed by those bodies which ended into terror. k) The nature of the revolutionary leaders led to the reign of terror. The 1792 elections to the National convention put in place an assembly dominated by moderate Girondins who supported the war policy. However they became unpopular when France suffered defeats in the initial stages of the revolutionary wars. The Jacobins criticized them as anti-revolution and therefore had to be fought that led to terror. l) It’s also urged that the weakness of King Louis XVI led to the reign of terror.
He failed to handle the critical issues during the primary stages of the revolution. He refused to co – operate with the revolutionaries to direct the events of the revolution. He opposed the C. C. C, declaration of rights of man and citizens, Mirabeau’s National assembly and he did not try to find any solution to the prevailing problems but instead continued with his hunting hobbies and leisure time. He left the revolution on to take its own direction that ended into reign of terror. m) The emergence of Robespierre and conventional government led to the reign of terror.
Robespierre was one of the Extremist revolutionary leaders. He was radical and had no sympathy to anyone suspected to be anti revolutionary. in the end he massacred thousands of French men up to his death which marked the end of the terror. THE END OF REIGN OF TERROR: The execution of Robespierre led to the end of the reign of terror. He was killed by fellow revolutionists who were fed up of (scared) his strong laws e. g. 10th June 1794; he passed law that emphasized the death of any suspect against the revolution. Consequently about 1500 people were executed in 50 days after passing this law
After his death the trend of events to changed. His dictatorship was dismantled; revolutionary tribunal and committees of public safety powers were reduced. Paris communes were abolished and the Jacobins club banned. The convention government voted for the new constitution where the executive powers were given to 5 directors or men who were assisted by two houses. This came to be known as the Directory government. THE DIRECTORY GOVERNMENT 1795 – 1799 This was a government, which replaced the conventional government and headed by 5 men called directors.
They were given executive powers for year term of office and assisted by 2 elected councils i. e. the council of elders and the council of youth and above. This was done to prevent dictatorship; however the powers of electing and being elected were restricted to only the rich people and the poor peasants were left out as they could neither qualify to vote or to be voted. This was a manifestation of the old order. The council of elders consisted of 250 people who were above 50 years while that of the youths consisted of 500 men of 30 years and above.
The council of youths was supposed to propose the laws, which had to be taken to elders for approval. Aims of the directory government 1. It was formed to carry out day to day affairs of the state, which the previous government failed to do. 2. To bring political stability which had been disturbed by the reign of terror 3. To end dictatorship this made former regimes fail to execute their duties. 4. To stabilize the economic situation on France this was in shambles since the early stages of French revolution. 5. To re –organize the French army this had been disorganized by revolutionary wars.
It should be noted that at a time France had lost its experienced generals and others retired. It was therefore the work of government to recruit new manpower, train and equip to the overcome challenges of the day. Features of directory government The directory government was characterized by the following 1. Financial crisis 2. Inefficient administration where all administrators were corrupt who embezzled funds 3. Political rivalry 4. Expansionist wars 5. Manipulation, ridging of votes and bribery 6. Suppression of opposition by use f army under Napoleon Bonaparte
ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DIRECTORY GOVERNMENT 1. Defeat of the Jacobins and Royalist revolt opposing the idea of forming the council of elders and the council of the 500 men. They were crashed by the government soldiers under Napoleon Bonaparte in an action known as whiff of grape shot. 2. The government was credited for ending the reign of terror especially after the execution of Robespierre. This was seen when the government agreed in the constitution that each director had to retire after serving one year. The aim was to prevent dictatorship, which led to terror in the previous regime. . The government re-organized the French army that had been disorganized by wars. This was done by recruiting more staff, training them and equips them with modern weapons. This new force was put under effective command and the promotion to high ranks was done according to merit. This gave soldiers morale and courage to fight for France by 1799 France had the strongest force on land on Europe continent. 4. The government was also credited for extending frontiers of France to reach as for as Austrians, Germany and Italian peninsular.
The government used its commander Napoleon Bonaparte who registered a lot of victories for France e. g. after the defeat of Austria 1797 a treaty was signed, in which Austria surrendered some of her territories e. g. Belgium Sardinia etc to France 5. The government tried to reduce inflation by putting up maximum price legislation to control the rising prices of essential commodities like the Assignment. 6. The government restored constitutionalism in France. It followed the constitution made in 1794 where the director had to retire every after a year and replaced through votes.
They were assisted by the two councils that were also elected. This is what was desired by the French mass or the French revolution. 7. The government was also credited for defending the state against the external invaders. By 1797 the first coalition had been crushed and only Britain remained unchallenged of the 15 members of the coalition. 8. The directory government was credited for enriching the French treasury with the treasures from the conquered states e. g. after Italian campaign, Austria was forced to pay heavy was indemnity and a lot of Italian art was taken to French Museum. 9.
The government restored political stability, law and order; she created a very strong army that maintained peace, stability that was disorganized during the reign of terror. 10. France also laid a foundation for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte who rescued the French society from monarchy. He exploited the weakness of the Directory government and rose prominence through suppressing various revolts, participating in military campaigns which all gave him fame to make a coup in 1799. Failures of the directory government Much as the government registered some successes or achievements, it as well had some failure in its term of office.
These failures later undermined its achievements thereby making them slightly felt. The achievements were short-lived and outweighed by failures as follows: 1. The directory government failed to solve the social – economic distress in France. Famines, unemployment and inflation persisted up to the end of the regime. The performance of agriculture and industrial sector was very poor. The government failed to develop that sector with new and modern agricultural techniques to meet the growing demands of the French men. Worse still the directors enjoyed more at the expense of the peasants e. . they enjoyed more bread and left nothing or little for their commanders. These were the resurrection of the old order. 2. The directory government formed to stop corruption in the French society but by the end of the directory government it was proved beyond doubt that the directors were the most corrupt administrators in the history of France. They practiced both political and economic corruption where government funds were embezzled and the army was used to ridge election. Consequently the government became unpopular a situation which were exploited by Napoleon Bonaparte. . The government failed to promote equity of all French men as regards voting and representation. It was only the rich to vote or to be voted. The poor peasants were left out because they could not qualify due to their poverty thus left unrepresented. By this time the peasants had joined little or nothing from the revolution 4. The government failed to build a strong army royal to the state but to individual e. g. the army was royal to Napoleon and the state depended much on him for its survival to an extent that without him France was in danger.
This was seen when Napoleon was in Egypt during the Egyptian campaign France suffered several defeats on his absence. This dependence on one man partly explains Napoleons coup de-tats. 5. The government failed to reconcile the state and the church in order to restore law and order in the catholic dominated provinces. It should be remembered that the relationship between the church and the state became strained since the C. C. C in which the government took over the church’s properties. That hostility was ignored by the directory government that led to instability. 6.
The government failed to protect the gains in the revolution and the territories acquired in the earlier campaigns. During the 1st coalition Napoleon secured a lot of treasurers from Italy and many territories were conquered. However during his absence the European states organized a 2nd coalition and recaptured them from France. This made the government unpopular and partly explains Napoleons heroes well came from Egypt. 7. The government failed to control the high crime rates especially in southern France where high way robbery was rampant. Frenchmen were scared about their security and that of their properties.
This undermined the government’s achievements and partly explains the growing fame for Napoleon who was seen as the only man to protect them and the state. 8. Lastly it failed to provide total peace in the French society. The period was characterized by occasion insecurity from various groups especially the Jacobins and royalists, the Catholics. They were not contented with the way the government was conducting its activities. This undermined its strength before the eyes of the French in long run. 9. more so, the government was condemned for using force in suppressing the revolts, like other regimes e. . whiff of grape shot in which Napoleon suppressed the revolt by force. All in all, the directorate government registered some achievements in France especially in her foreign policy when she defended France, expanded the French boundaries and extending the revolutionary ideas. But her failures were more serious which made the French men to lose confidence in it and support Napoleon Bonaparte’ THE CONSEQUENCIES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Some writers urged that the French Revolution achieved nothing while others are of the view that it achieved what was possible at the time.
However it’s true that the revolution had fundamental impacts not only on French society, Europe but to the world at large. Such effects heavily influenced in the later events on the continent up to the present day. Many features of present day political and social institutions are directly or indirectly derived from the French revolution. 1. The French revolution led to the abolition of monarchial rule which had ruled France for ages in 1792. It was replaced by the republication government. 2. It led to the abolition of social privileges which was replaced by new social orders based on equality for all classes regardless f the birth 3. The revolution resulted into the end of despotism in France. This was symbolized by the fall of Bastille on 14th July 1789 where victims of letre de cachet were kept. 4. The revolution gave birth to freedom of man which was attained after the declaration of rights of man and citizens document. In this document many fundamental human rights were outlined e. g. freedom of worship. 5. Feudalism was finally stamped out of the French society which opened way to all French men to own land. This was done through the abolition of feudal dues and was affected in C. C.
C 6. It led to the emergency of parliamentary democracy in France separate from executive. This started in May 1789 declaration of the 3rd estate a National assembly, continued with the legislative assembly 1791 etc. 7. It led to the formation of the constitution in France with the 1st constitution in 1791 where human freedom of all sots was clearly elaborated. 8. The France revolution led to some reforms in the economy where new paper money was introduced during the directorate government regime. In addition, uniform metric system of weights and measures were also introduced.
This replaced the old chaotic and varying measure from one part of France to another. All this improved the economic situation from the crisis suffered by French men since 1788. 9. There was emergence of various political clubs in French politics e. g. Jacobins clubs etc. which all aimed at spreading the gospel of the French revolution far and wide. 10. The French revolution separated the church from state affairs. The state was given greater powers over the churches which become a mere department of the state. In addition the pope lost his powers who became a mere spiritual leader of the Catholic Church. 11.
Freedom of worship was established in the French society where other religions were allowed to prevail in France. This broke the Old Catholic monopoly in France. 12. The Church lost its monopoly over land in the French society. Their lands were confiscated by the French government and part given to the peasants. 13. The Church lost its privileges like controlling education, controlling marriages, and control over taxes which were all taken by the state. EFFECTS OF FRENCH REVOLUTION ON EUROPE 1. It led to the destruction of the great Austrian empire through the revolutionary wars when she lost her territories to France.
This was more so after the Italian campaign when Austria lost Italian Peninsular and Germany to France[ 2. The France revolution led to the outbreak of other revolutions in Europe e. g. the 1818,1820s, 1830s, 1848 revolutions and the Russian revolutions of 1917. 3. It laid a foundation for National unification of Italy, Germany in 1870. Their seeds were planted during the Italian campaign when Napoleon preached the ideas of equality liberty and fraternity to them. 4. It led to increased war fair in France e. g. by 1814 the 4th coalition had been formed against revolutionary France. . It disrupted trade and other economic activities through wars and embargos. 6. It led to chaos which was characterized by the period 1792 – 1794 which led to massive killing of French men including the King and his wife. 7. It failed to control the worsening economic situation, where inflation, unemployment and famine continued. 8. It led to emergency of dictators like Robespierre, Danton, Murrat, and Napoleon who practiced dictatorship and a lot of mischief which could be compared to that one of pre-French revolution of 1789. 9. Corruption and embezzlement of state funds continued 0. Human rights continued to be abused e. g. in 1795 constitution the spoor’s rights to vote were violated. 11. The revolution led to the act of the behavior of undermining the Church. It started in France in C. C. C which undermined church’s role and later spread to other European states e. g. Italy, in Germany where the pope was undermined. 12. It led to abolition of social privileges and replaced them with new social order based on equality. 13. The French revolution led to the emergency of the parliamentary democracy in Europe separately from the executive.
Before the French revolution, nearly all Euro states had no parliament separate from the rulers of peace but the F. rev brought in that idea which started in France and spread in other states. 14. The French revolution led to the formation of constitutionalist in Europe beginning with the 1st constitution in 1791 in France and spread to other European states that lacked a constitution. 15. The French revolution led to the emergency of different political groups in Europe which took over the management of European affairs (politics)