French Revolution

French Revolution: (Click here to download)

It is one of the great event in history of mankind as a whole. It gave new idea of liberty, equality and fraternity.

Overview:

It brought fundamental changes in France. The political turmoil in France began in 1789, King Louis XIV and his successor brought ‘Divine Right Absolutism’ to its peak. The king had unlimited powers and opponents were put in prison (Bastille) without any trial. 

Causes:

A. Social cause:

·        All the resources (land and other property) belonged to the 1^st and 2^nd estate while 80% population: 3^rd estate, the commoners.

·        90% of tax burden fell on the 3^rd estate, the commoners

·        Peasants have to serve the 1^st and the 2^nd estate; no obligation of the 1^st and 2^nd estate on the peasants

·        Deteriorating economic condition of the 3^rd class  and growing amount of taxes

Ø 1^st Class: Clergy and churchmen

Ø 2^nd Class: Nobles

Ø 3^rd Class: Peasants, traders and commoners.

B .Financial cause:

·        Factors leading to the drain of wealth causing financial burden

·        Selling of important government offices to meet the deficit

C. Inspiration from American Revolution

D. Social thinkers and philosophers like Rousseau, Voltaire, John locke criticizing the dominance of church and the absolute rights of the first estate

Main Cause: Arbitrary rule and the absolutism of the French king.

Progress:

·        Tennis court oath: Third estate which was now the national assembly split from the other estates and convened on a near-by tennis court instead. Took an oath famously called the tennis court oath stating that they would remain indissoluble until they succeed in creating a new national constitution.

·        Revolution started with the ‘Fall of Bastille fort’, political prisoners were set free.  July,1789 revolutionaries raided the Paris town hall in pursuit of arms. Later stormed the Bastille, a medieval fortress realizing that it contained large armory. This was a symbolic victory over the old regime.

·        Bastille fort was symbol of tyranny of the French rule.

·        Liberty, Equality and Fraternity became the watchword.

·       In August 1789, the preamble was adopted and it was famous as ‘Declaration of the Right of Man’, document guaranteeing the due in process in judicial matters and established sovereignty among the French people. Every person was a French man and equal. French people embraced it. Not acceptable to king and nobles.

Constitution of 1791:

The national assembly released much anticipated constitution of 1791 which created constitutional monarchy for France. King Louis XVI and his ministers had to answer to the new legislature though they could maintain control.

Aftermath:

·        Despotic Government in France broke down.

·        Royal officials fled away

·        People stopped paying taxes

·     National Assembly ruled France from 1789 to 1791 and drafted a constitution with limited monarchy

·        Feudal rights were abolished

·        Special church privilege was abolished

·        Local Government was reorganized

Conclusion:

The first republic was proclaimed on Sep 21, 1792

French revolution represented the ideals of popular sovereignty and equality before law. It also inspired constitutional monarchy movement in Europe leading towards formation of modern Europe. For ex: unification of Italy, Germany etc.