Revolution the Cost of Frances Liberty - 863 Words

Indifferent rulers and overindulgent spending left France in severe debt. Civilians were starved of both food and hope, yet nobles enjoyed a pleasant lifestyle within the comfort of Versailles. Revolted by this injustice, the common people of France rebelled and fought for equality, giving birth to the French Revolution of 1789. This period is often characterized as needlessly violent, as gruesome events such as the Reign of Terror took place, in addition to many executions and riots. Despite the excessive bloodshed that dominated the era, the French Revolution’s violence was not in vain, for the legacy of the revolution has ignited scores of independence movements in its wake and inspired new ideologies that continue to shape the modern†¦show more content†¦The constant bloodshed brought attention to the struggles of the poor, forcing French officials to reform their government using concepts that have inspired future nations. In addition to influencing the ideologie s of many countries, the radical ideals of the French revolutionaries motivated the lower classes of other countries to take their own initiatives, seeking independence from their oppressive rulers. While the French rebels failed to find guns in the Bastille, its destruction served as a symbolic victory for the people. To the French, the ruins of the Bastille represented not only the people’s first victory, but also the promise that the lower class would be able to triumph over their tyrannical superiors. A painting titled The Demolition of the Bastille accurately depicts the event as such, as one can see that even ordinary people contributed towards the cause of the revolution (Doc. 2). Events like the destruction of the Bastille ignited a will to revolt throughout the world, specifically within Latin America and areas France occupied. According to an essay titled Revolutionary Legacies in the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries, this chain of revolutions began in Mexico in 1 810 and soon sparked into Central and South America in 1820 (Doc. 9). While the French Revolution did not wholly inspire them, the new revolutions emulated the radically liberal ideas of it. The Revolution of 1789 presented the world with an example of a successfulShow MoreRelatedThe French Revolution Explain the Significance of the Person, Event or Concept in Modern History Within the Time Period 1780-1914.1421 Words   |  6 PagesAlfred Cobban stats in his text, In Search for Humanity, that, â€Å"The consequences of the Revolution were so momentous for Europe at the time, and for the whole world subsequently, that it has cast a shadow over the whole of modern history.† The French Revolution brought about significant changes in society and government of France. The revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, also had extending effects on the rest of Europe. It introduced democratic ideals to France but did not make the nationRead MoreDeclaration of the Rights of Man and t he Citizen in the French Revolution1101 Words   |  4 Pagesimportant document of the French Revolution. The National Assembly passed it on August 6, 1789. The Declaration presents the idea of inalienable rights of humans regardless of social status or privilege. It, along with support of the majority of France, was instrumental in putting an end to the Ancien Regime. The Ancien Regime was the old order matriarchal way, and the people of France were tired of the control this absolute monarchy had over them. The French Revolution was a turning point in EuropeanRead MoreThe French Revolution During The 19th Century Essay1481 Words   |  6 PagesDuring the beginning of history there have been major political, economic, cultural and social revolutions. The people wanted change and brought about revolt against their government. The revolution instigated the act of liberty and equality for all people and generated fair living standards and/or social classes and treatment. This prompte d expansions of political forces including but not limited to the democracy and nationalism. Questioning the authority of kings, priests and nobles it providedRead MoreCauses of the French Revolution During the period of 1789-1799 people lived much differently than700 Words   |  3 PagesCauses of the French Revolution During the period of 1789-1799 people lived much differently than individuals do today and there were many reasons for this. During the French Revolution there was a large amount of taxation for certain class groups, â€Å"While average tax rates were higher in Britain, the burden on the common people was greater in France† (GNU, 2008, pg. 2). Due to these large taxations on the peasants and lower class and not on the clergy and nobles it caused excessive conflict betweenRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Egyptian Revolution1444 Words   |  6 Pagesinfluenced greatly the French Revolution (1789-1815) as well as the Egyptian Revolution (2011-Present).Some philosophes that created and supported these ideas were John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, and Voltaire. Ideas supported by these philosophes were the rights to life, liberty, and property, the freedoms of speech and religion and equality. Many causes of the French Revolution are similar to Egyptian Revolution. Some causes of the French Revolution were France’s Old Regime, in which an absoluteRead MoreThe Mistakes of the Brilliant General, Napoleon Bonaparte Essays1026 Words   |  5 PagesHowever, Bonaparte’s likeable wit and seemingly military genius masked his faults. Although the French Revolution was a coup d’à ©tat to remember, it was tainted by Napoleon Bonaparte’s hasty rise to power, by his numerous military misjudgments, and by the liberty-diminishing actions and changes that he forcibly brought to Europe. The haste in which Napoleon was put into power after the French Revolution ended caused numerous negative consequences that sullied the efforts of the governmental overthrowRead MoreThe French Revolution Essay2042 Words   |  9 PagesIn 1789 during the French Revolution France was in a time of chaos and economic turmoil with a struggle for class and power amongst the inhabitants. Prior to the revolution, the upper classes writhed to gain wealth and financial power, however in doing so they oppressed the peasants. The French Revolution is considered to be the most momentous movements as it distorted the principles of French society. The majority of the revolts in France from 1660-1789 were connected to the rebellions against domineeringRead MoreThe First Agent Of The American Revolution966 Words   |  4 Pagesnot] be taxed or regulated by any power on earth but our own. -- Thomas Jefferson, 17741 The American Revolution was a war in which the thirteen colonies of Great Britain sou ght independence due to many unjust taxes and laws passed without their consent. The first agent of the revolution started in 1763 with the ending of the French and Indian War in which Great Britain conquered all of France’s holdings in North America. Consequently, this resulted in large amounts of debt for the British. TheRead MoreCauses of the French Revolution Essay1336 Words   |  6 PagesCauses of the French Revolution There is no doubt that the French Revolution has had a profound effect on the world. The cause or causes of it have been greatly disputed. Clearly the Revolutions primary cause was the presence of a weak monarchy and a lack of a stable system of government. Frances absolute monarchy had many changes toward the end of the eighteenth century. Louis XIV, in his attempts to centralize his authority and also lessen the power of the aristocrats, had plannedRead MoreThe Old Regime During The Middle Ages2303 Words   |  10 Pagesbourgeoisie, the urban workers, and the peasants. The bourgeoisie (upper middles class) included bankers, merchants, professionals, skilled artisans, teachers and judges; plus, they often received good educations and strongly supported the morals of liberty and equality that were introduced during the Enlightenment. There were even bourgeoisies who had as much money or even more money than the nobles, but they had to paid high taxes and they didn’t have access to the advantages of the other estates.