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French Revolution Dbq Analysis

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Prior to the revolution in 1789, France had been an absolute monarchy, structured by feudal privileges and rigid social classes. The Old Regime of France underwent radical changes during the French Revolution. Changes resulting from the revolution, which were rooted in the enlightenment principles of republicanism, citizenships, and individual rights, were accompanied by warfare, violence and turmoil

John Locke was one of the most well known enlightenment philosophes in 18th century France. In Second Treatise on Government, Locke argued that people have a right to revolt against a government if that government ceases to work in their best interest (doc. 1). This type of thinking was prominent in the minds of France's Third Estate on the eve …show more content…

However, it decided that before doing so, it should publish a statement of broad political principles. Based on the natural rights of man, these principles would act as guidelines for the new constitutional government. On August 27, the Assembly issued the DEclaration of the Rights of Man and of Citizen. This declaration drew on the political language of the Enlightenment, exhibiting the democratic ideas of Jean-Jacques Rousseau as well as the liberal views of Thomas Jefferson, who help create America’s Declaration of Independence (doc. 5).The French declaration proclaimed that all men were “born and remain free and equal in rights.” The natural rights were declared as “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.” Governments ultimately existed to protect those rights. Jefferson, whose thoughts corresponded with the classic liberalism of the Enlightenment, believed that government could only step in if harm is being done to another. On the other hand, principles of the Enlightenment thinker Rousseau, which can almost be described as proto-socialist, are also evident in this document. “The principle of all sovereignty resides essentially in the nation…” This quote from the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizens draws from …show more content…

The recently established constitutional monarchy no longer had a reigning monarch. The new National Convention soon after came into power. The Convention was far more radical than the Assembly; in its first meeting, the Convention declared France a republic. Not long after, it executed Louis XVI, demonstrating its removal from monarchical government as well as its drive to protect the liberty of the people and the security of the state. The Reign of Terror began In March of 1793, when the dictatorial Committee of Public Safety began executing so-called 'traitors', or anyone who disagreed with the new regime. The Convention believed they had created a “republic of virtue,” which was largely founded on ideas from Rousseau’s Social Contract. Civic virtue, the sacrifice of oneself for the good of a republic, was to replace selfish aristocratic and royal corruption. It was in the name of common good that the Committee of Public Safety carried out the policies of the terror. These policies became increasingly violent and cruel as the revolution went on. The guillotine became a popular way to quiet those who didn’t agree with the new regime (doc. 9). Maximilien Robespierre embodied this republic of virtue defended by terror. Robespierre believed that the republic of virtue meant wholehearted support of the republican government and the protection of the state

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