Revolution is defined as the replacement of an old system with a new one, usually implemented forcefully. During the period of 1789-1799, the French revolution was revolutionary to an extent. France saw varying dramatic changes socially and politically. Its ideas, driven by the enlightenment movement, (thought which challenged divine right and promoted the use of reason and thinking for ones-self) influenced the global political landscape, and laid the foundations for future revolutions. The declaration of the rights of man was certainly revolutionary for its time, and such a document has been the precursor to modern day human rights. The very idea France, a country so traditionally routed in absolutist rule, had a revolution to challenge …show more content…
The Marxist historian Aulard outlines how ‘Revolution consisted in the suppression of what was called the feudal system, in the emancipation of the individual’ . This view suggests that the revolution was not just a shift from absolutism to democracy, but rather, the more revolutionary change from feudalism to capitalism. This notion is reinforced by Lefebvre, ‘it cleared the way for the triumph of capitalism, and inspired the socialism that was to subvert it’ . Therefore, its evident the revolution was revolutionary as it not only removed an economic system that had become the norm in France but paved way for a liberal self-empowering one. This laid the foundations for socialism, an ideology and sometimes revolutionary movement which shaped much of the preceding centuries. Thus the French Revolution was so revolutionary it acted as a trigger for future revolutions and movements in modern history. This again highlights the idea of the indirect impact the French Revolution had on changing the world, not just in the politically but also economically. The revolution was a transitioning point between old and new regimes and as Jones remarks it provided ‘the dividing line between the medieval and the modern eras in the western world’ . To a large extent, the French Revolution was …show more content…
It failed to acknowledge women’s rights, it never became a solidified democratic state and it replaced one monarch with another arguably more despotic ruler. It was however revolutionary to a large degree as it shifted France from feudalism into capitalism, marking the beginning of the modern era for France and the ideas which were formed in the revolution, which shaped the world as we know it. Therefore, the revolution was limited in its direct political impact on France. The ideas that stemmed from it however, had a revolutionary impact upon the world around it. The world saw an Age of Revolution in which France was a key part of, which challenged deep routed ideas of divine right, where people realised that they could make a difference. The revolution arguably personified the enlightenment movement, showing people that the ideals could be applied and that change could occur. On the one hand it can be argued the revolution was limited on a domestic scale, insofar in 1789, the revolution set foundations for change, by 1804 the main change was the name of the absolutist ruler, and France had not experienced enough political change. In contrast, on a global scale, considering its influence for future revolutions and political ideologies. Thus, the legacy left by this event much more revolutionary than any other of its time and the ramifications of such are still being