The development of the French Revolution was greatly influenced by the philosophies of the French Enlightenment period. Interestingly, disparate to the English and American Revolutions, the French Revolution did not evolve in a linear fashion. Instead, it progressed in a series of conflicting phases, each of which could be considered almost as a revolution in itself. Political theorists – such as Montesquieu, Rousseau and Voltaire – were sources of inspiration for key revolutionaries throughout the Revolution’s three major phases. As the revolutionists occupying the leading roles changed, the principles of the Revolution’s former phase were abandoned in favour of another policy, essentially antithetical to the previous one. Ultimately, in shifting between various Enlightenment philosophers, France was able to subject its government to massive structural change - from being an absolute monarchy (prior to the Revolution), to a constitutional monarchy (1791-1792), then a republic (1792-1804), and finally a dictatorship (under Napoleon Bonaparte).
Montesquieu’s theories, propounded in his 1753 treatise De l’esprit des loix (The Spirit of Laws), dominated the initial phase of the Revolution. Specifically, he praised the benefits of a liberal constitutional monarchy, for a nation who valued freedom, that would divide sovereignty “between several centres of power”, and so provide a “permanent check on any one of them becoming despotic”. As an aristocrat himself, Montesquieu
The French Revolution started in 1789 and finished in the late 1790s with the climb of Napoleon Bonaparte. Within this period, French residents demolished and upgraded their nation's political scene, evacuating hundreds of years old foundations such as an absolute monarchy and feudal system. Like the American Revolution before it, the French Revolution was affected by Enlightenment standards, especially the ideas of prominent sway and natural rights. Despite the fact that it neglected to accomplish the majority of its objectives and on occasion worsened into a riotous bloodbath, the development assumed a basic part in molding cutting edge countries by demonstrating the world the force intrinsic in the will of the general
The year 1789 was an important one for France. The American Revolution had recently ended in a victory and now the French wanted to take their stand. France had helped the Americans in their war and the ideas of democracy and liberty were in the air. Liberty is the idea of living freely within a society, being able to think, speak and act any way that you want to without being controlled by the government. Because of the French Revolution it led to the overthrow of the monarchy and the creation of a democracy. Another influential point that the Revolution made was that the French created the Constitution of 1792 which granted freedom of speech, religion, and equality before the law, and they also abolished slavery and gave legal rights to women. The French Revolution was inspired by the ideals of the American Revolution but carried the ideas one step further. The Americans spoke about liberty and equality but still kept people as slaves and did not grant rights to women, while the French did. The American Revolution was led by wealthy, educated men, but the French Revolution was led by peasants and ordinary
The American and French Revolutions are both unforgettable historical events that have made a substantial and severe impact on the present-day society. The American Revolution was an influential time period, lasting from 1774-1783, where the 13 British colonies in the Americas rebelled against the rule of Great Britain for independence. The French Revolution was a period of chaos from 1789 to 1799, where the people of France tried to overthrow their monarchy, King Louis XVI. Both of these Revolutions can certainly be compared to emphasized the similarities and differences of these prominent uprisings. Though extensively similar, the Revolutions differed in what social classes made impacts, the ways of addressing opposing supporters, and
The first stage of the revolution was caused by a number of factors, both economic and social. First of all, toward the end of the 18th Century, France was in deep financial trouble. The country was nearly bankrupt, due to a combination of leftover national debt from previous kings, several bad harvests in a row, and the recent expenses related to helping the American Revolution. To make things worse, the tax system was out of date and no longer met the financial needs of the nation (Nicassio 481). Under this system, the population of France was divided into three Estates. The First Estate was composed of members of the clergy, the Second Estate represented the nobles, and the Third included everybody else. Traditionally, the First Estate would
The American Revolution and French Revolution were unique in world history because they used the ideas of freedom and equality from the Enlightenment, but understood them differently at the same time. Both revolutions occurred around the same time- the 18th Century, the American Revolution began on the 4th of July when Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence (Dr. Taylor). The French Revolution then follows in 1789, provoked by “...a greater demand for food and consumer goods” and “ the social structure of the West” (Encyclopedia Britannica). Although they ended with different results, France later reverted from a republic back to a dictatorship when Napoleon rose to power (Acemoglu, Cantoni, Johnson, Robinson 13 ; Godechot). This merely one example of how France differed from the patriotic colonists of America.
“The French Revolution was period of far-reaching social and political upheaval in France and its colonies that lasted from 1789 until 1799. It was partially carried forward by Napoleon during the later expansion of the French Empire. The Revolution overthrew the monarchy, established a republic, catalyzed violent periods of political turmoil, and finally culminated in a dictatorship under Napoleon who brought many of its principles to areas he conquered in Western Europe and beyond.” (French Revolution,n.d.).
Neoclassicism, meaning new classicism, was the philosophy of the French Revolution. Since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europeans had been fascinated by the glory and affluence of ancient Rome. However, it was during the Age of Enlightenment around the mid-1700’s that many students went to study art in Rome and returned to their home countries with a renewed appreciation for Greco-Roman culture. A popular neoclassical writer named Johann Joachim Winckelmann once said this, “the only way for modern artists to achieve greatness was to imitate the Greeks.” In order to identify neoclassical art, one must look for key Greek features including Greek or Roman soldiers, classical subject matter with people in statuesque poses, as well as sharp outlines and contrasts. Paintings such as these often highlighted the virtues most esteemed by the Romans and Greeks, such as patriotism, bravery, loyalty, and sacrifice. This classical, restrained style was brought about in reaction to the melodramatic Baroque style. Neoclassical philosophers went so far as to say that man could control his destiny by learning from and following the laws of nature. This ideology is best illustrated in Neoclassical art such as Oath of the Horatii, The Apotheosis of Homer, and the Pantheon in Paris.
During the entire period of the French Revolutions, including the revolutions during Charles X’s reign and Louis Philippe’s reign, France was in utter chaos and the people of the country transformed many of their nation’s systems and foundations. Mark Almond states, “The French Revolution was really the coming together of several revolutions at one explosive moment.” The French Revolution was influenced by the ideals of the Enlightenment, especially theories such as widespread authority and absolute and inalienable liberties and rights. William H. McNeill states, “During the eighteenth century, French government became hidebound. The king remained absolute in theory; but in fact almost all efforts at administrative reform were stopped in their tracks by the opposition of one or another special interest, operating usually from within
While there were political and social causes of The French Revolution the most important cause was actually economic. A few years before the French’s revolution the French spent approximately 1.3 billion livres, 13 billion dollars, on the American Revolution. This gracious contribution caused trouble at home.
The causes of the French Revolution of 1787-1789 (Solé 3) is a subject worthy of investigation because the revolt is an event of crucial importance in Western History. It marked the end of feudalism and the beginning of democracy in France, and can be seen as a turning point for liberty in Europe. To quote the German author Goethe, ‘From this place, and from this day, commences a new era in the world’s history’ (Wright 2). In 1774 when Louis XVI ascended the French throne, he had the potential, if he exerted strength, to rule absolutely over France (Hampson 24), a powerful European nation. Less than twenty years later his monarchy had been replaced by a revolutionary government (Rudé 34), and
The French Revolution in 1789 marked the overthrowing of the Ancien Régime and the establishing of a republic form of government that ultimately lead to the Napoleonic Era. It was perhaps the most significant revolution in European history and has influenced many modern ideas and forms of government. It represented the change of power from absolutism and feudalism ways towards modern democratic ideas. Although the severe financial crisis of the Ancien Régime was the immediate trigger that set off this revolution, other factors contributed to the movement including the influence of the American Revolution and Enlightenment ideas on France, the opulent lifestyle and power abuses of the French royal family, the growing class disparities and the return of the Estates General.
The French Revolution started in 1787 and ended in 1799. France was governed by privileged groups and peasants were the small landholders who paid the taxes. The French Revolution started because the feudal regime was getting pretty bad, the peasants was getting better education and wanted to destroy the feudal system. The country’s economic and intellectual development was not in line with the social and political change. The higher the population got, the more demands for food and goods. The direct cause of the French Revolution was the chaos of the government finance. The French Revolution was influenced by Enlightment ideals. It ended when Napoleon Bonaparte became
The causes of the French Revolution were many: the monarchy's severe debt problems; high taxes; poor harvests; the influence of new political ideas; and the American Revolution, to mention only a few. Starting as a movement for government reforms, the French Revolution rapidly turned radical and violent, leading to the abolition of the monarchy and execution of King Louis XVI. Though the monarchy was eventually restored for a short period of time, the French Revolution changed France and the rest of Europe forever. It inspired a number of revolutionary movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that put an end to institutions such as absolutism, feudalism, class privilege and legal inequality, and spread the principles of natural right, equality and freedom throughout the world. One significant change that benefited all aspects of French society was the abandonment of the rigid class structure. While one theme that remained in constant during the French Revolution was the people’s desire for the government to change. These concepts will be the basis of this paper.
The causes of the French Revolution were many: the monarchy's severe debt problems; high taxes; poor harvests; the influence of new political ideas; and the American Revolution, to mention only a few. Starting as a movement for government reforms, the French Revolution rapidly turned radical and violent, leading to the abolition of the monarchy and execution of King Louis XVI. Though the monarchy was eventually restored for a short period of time, the French Revolution changed France and the rest of Europe forever. It inspired a number of revolutionary movements of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries that put an end to institutions such as absolutism, feudalism, class privilege and legal inequality, and spread the principles of natural right, equality and freedom throughout the world. One significant change that benefited all aspects of French society was the abandonment of the rigid class structure. While one theme that remained in constant during the French Revolution was the people’s desire for the government to change. These concepts will be the basis of this paper.
The French Revolution was a time of change for the country of France. A revolution is usually inspired by the need for change in a country. In France, this was the perfect case. The people were fed up with the absolute monarchy that denied them freedoms, wasted their resources, and the unfair treatment of the lower classes. Between 1789 and 1799, the French led one of the greatest revolutions the world has ever seen, with no lack of excuses for their actions. The most important causes of the French Revolution were the growing inequalities between classes in the Old Regime, the financial crisis from the lavish spending of the royal family, and new ideas about government and society inspired by the Enlightenment.