...This historical analysis will define the causes, changes, and effects of the French Revolution from 1789-1795. The primary cause of the French Revolution was the growing concern over the absolute power of the monarchy that excluded the middle and lower classes from participation in the government. Louis XVI was the absolute monarch during the early stages of the revolution, which served as a catalyst for extreme governmental neglect, starvation, and abuse of the lower and middle classes during the 1780s. More so, an increased interest in Enlightenment principles, the American Revolution, and Republican government created a middle class platform for protesting the king as a threat to participatory governance. Eventually, the Estates-General sought diplomatic means to end the monarchy, but Louis XVI refused to abdicate. However, the Estates General formed a military and overthrew the monarchy, which resulted in the formation a Republican government in 1792....
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...The French Revolution © Student Handouts, Inc. www.studenthandouts.com The Old Regime (Ancien Regime) • Old Regime – socio-political system which existed in most of Europe during the 18th century • Countries were ruled by absolutism – the monarch had absolute control over the government • Classes of people – privileged and unprivileged – Unprivileged people – paid taxes and treated badly – Privileged people – did not pay taxes and treated well Society under the Old Regime • In France, people were divided into three estates – First Estate • High-ranking members of the Church • Privileged class – Second Estate • Nobility • Privileged class – Third Estate • Everyone else – from peasants in the countryside to wealthy bourgeoisie merchants in the cities • Unprivileged class The Three Estates Estate Privileges Exemptions •Collected the tithe •Censorship of the press •Control of education •Kept records of births, deaths, marriages, etc. •Catholic faith held honored position of being the state religion (practiced by monarch and nobility) •Owned 20% of the land •Paid no taxes •Subject to Church law rather than civil law •Moral obligation (rather than legal obligation) to assist the poor and needy •Support the monarchy and Old Regime •Collected taxes in the form of feudal dues •Monopolized military and state appointments •Owned 20% of the land •Paid no taxes •Support the monarchy and Old Regime •Nobles First Population •Circa 25,000,000 •None •None •Paid all taxes...
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...CAUSES OF FRENCH REVOLUTION Date: 1789–1799 Participants: French society Location: France The French Revolution was a major event in modern European history. The causes of the French Revolution were many: the monarchy's severe debt problems, high taxes, poor harvests, and 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, 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 made the final 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. The three main causes of French revolution are as follows: 1. Political Cause 2. Social Cause 3. Economic Cause 4. Intellectual Cause. POLITICAL CAUSE That time France was the absolute monarchy with a weak monarch king Louis XVI - French king of the Bourbon dynasty who took the throne in 1774; inherited massive debt problems but was unable to fix them. France had long subscribed to the idea of divine right, which maintained that kings were selected by God and thus perpetually entitled to the throne. This doctrine resulted in a system...
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...French Revolution The world has seen many revolutions in history. One of the biggest revolutions was the French Revolution because it brought with it many consequences and influences. The political, social, and economic conditions in France were critical issues in the French Revolution. They were instrumental in the cause of the revolution, played a role in the process of the revolt and were altered greatly as a result of the rebellion. Due to the difficult economic situation in France, there was a lot of discontent with the way the country was being ruled. France had an unfair tax system and a large debt caused by the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence. There was a high unemployment, poor harvest due to bitter winter in 1788-1789, and food was extremely expensive. The government seemed uncaring toward the needs of its citizens and was deeply in debt. Also large numbers of unhappy French elite citizens began gathering together to complain about the political situation in France. They were discontent with Louis XIV’s rule and even more concerned by Louis the XV’s style of government. Soon this social action changed into political discussion about changes in the French government. The estates system that had been in place in France had not been functioning well, in fact the legislative assembly had not met for 175 years. Social activities lead directly to the will for political changes. By the Louis XIV reign groups of individuals began opposing abusive government...
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...participate in government above basic levels. People stayed amongst themselves in their village in the village people there was not really a sense of a belonging to a larger countrywide community. The roots of nationalism began before the end of the 18 century most scholars point to the French revolution as a defining moment for nationalism. writers like John Locke argued that people should govern themselves rather than be governed by kings or queens. The concept of the divine right of kings what is gradually replaced with the notion of the will of the people known as popular sovereignty. The American and French revolutions greatly strengthened the idea that the people have the right to participate in their own government. All rulers and governments seek legitimacy. when a government is legitimate it needs at the populace sees its rule over them as just proper and lawful. Legitimacy makes it much easier for rulers to govern their subjects in the divine right of kings was a major source of this legitimacy.Once the idea popular sovereignty spread, it we can to the power of kings and queens by running the legitimacy of their ruling.A great example of nationalism is Napoleon and the French...
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...Blaut... CH. 4 We now know: - Capitalism was developing evenly throughout Africa, Europe and Asia before 1492. - This process was called by Blaut: “Proto-capitalism.” So capitalism does not appear out of nowhere. It shifted its center from Indian Ocean to Europe = continuous process. Industrial revolution started later: symbolically situated in 1688 (overthrow of King James II in England by Parliamentary group) So... How did Capitalism develop more in Europe after 1492? - This is the main question of the chapter. Why did Europe discover America? Myth of adventuresome superiority in Europe. - Based on internal characteristics of Europe and giving no credit to non-Europeans. But they were trading in maritime centers just like everyone else. Technology superiority of Europe? Others had traveled long distances. Inventions were criss-crossing and Europeans did not have technological superiority in navigation. So why...??? Special progress in Europe? Nop... Europe in 1492 was “sluggish”. - Economic growth was slow and most likely negative. - Urbanization process was slow. In 1 or 2 decades progress and economic growth started to rise. - - Why??? So Why??? Geographic location. - Europe was simply closer to America and this was an advantage. Sailing conditions were better: winds were favorable. West-African traders...
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...of The French Revolution By Rhiannon Collins When starting this paper the question that was kept in mind was the French Revolution worth the price that was paid and was the revolution a success. My first answer was no due to the amount of violence and the amount of lives lost, also due to the fact that the monarchy in some sense, had been reestablished through Napoleon. Though there was tens of thousands of lives lost the French Revolution played an important role in history. Jeff Goodwin, a professor of sociology at New York University, defines revolution as," any and all instances in which a state or political regime is overthrown and thereby transformed by a popular movement in an irregular extra constitutional and/or violent fashion". The sheer violence of the revolution was something that stood out to me. The French Revolutionary war was certainly violent, especially compared to our own American Revolution in 1775. It is quite possible that the French were encouraged by the American Revolution. They saw the colonies join together in revolt against an overseas king, so why could they not revolt in their own country, against their own monarch for their own rights. In the time leading up to the French Revolution, France was wealthy and extremely powerful. Through my perspective there were a few causes of the historic event of the French Revolution. Let us take a look at some of them. One causes I believe is the rise of the cost of food prior to the revolution. Right...
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...Name: Ayesha Khan Class: BPA 2K13 Professor: Sr. Riffat Hussain An Analysis of the causes and similarities between the French, Russian and the Chinese Revolutions. An overview of how the tables have turned and how History has contributed in several ways to major political and social structuring that is taking place all around the globe in today’s world is a must in order to be able to link History with current affairs and better understand how and why certain historical events took place and had enough significance to challenge the existing system. The French, Russian and the Chinese revolutions are a perfect example of how totalitarian rule faced a strong challenge and with time was unable to resist this gradually fell apart. The revolutions paved way towards emancipation of the masses. The French revolutions success had a domino effect, the Russian followed in its footsteps and so did the Chinese. These revolutions may have not been exactly the same in nature but they did have similarities as far as causes and effects are concerned. This paper will work out an explanation of the causes and outcomes of the French Revolution of 1787-1800, the Russian Revolution of 1917-1921, and the Chinese Revolution of 1911-1949 and a detailed analysis of the three revolutions and historical references that will help understand the uprisings in a more credible manner and how although these revolutions took place at different times but their underlying goal was in many ways similar...
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...French Revolution From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia For other uses, see French Revolution (disambiguation). Page semi-protected French Revolution Anonymous - Prise de la Bastille.jpg Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789. Date 1789–1799 Location France Participants French society Outcome Abolition of the French monarchy Establishment of a secular and democratic republic that became increasingly authoritarian and militaristic Radical social change based on liberalism and other Enlightenment principles Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte Armed conflicts with other European countries Part of a series on the History of France National EmblemNational EmblemNational Emblem Prehistory[show] Ancient[show] Early Middle Ages[show] Middle Ages[show] Early modern[show] 19th century[show] 20th century[show] Portal icon France portal v t e The French Revolution (French: Révolution française) was an influential period of social and political upheaval in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799. Inspired by liberal and radical ideas, the Revolution profoundly altered the course of modern history, triggering the global decline of theocracies and absolute monarchies while replacing them with republics and democracies. Through the Revolutionary Wars, it unleashed a wave of global conflicts that extended from the Caribbean to the Middle East. Historians widely regard the Revolution as one of the most important events in human history.[1] The causes of the French Revolution...
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...------------------------------------------------- ii. What are the basic elements of theory? (Understand them and be able to explain their role in a theory) iii. What is causality? What are the main conditions for establishing a causal relationship? Causality: an invariable, temporal, and asymmetrical relationship between phenomena in which the existence of one phenomenon in a given for inevitably leads to the existence of a second phenomenon. 1. Covariation: both phenomena vary together (i.e education and income) 2. Nonspuriousness: the relationship between 2 phenomena cannot be explained by the third (ie ice cream and drownings, number of doctors and number of deaths in an area) 3. ------------------------------------------------- Time order: cause happens before the effect. Not always as obvious as it appears to be. (i.e. obvious- depression and suicide) (not obvious- achievement and motivation) iv. The two orienting questions in sociology: order and action. ORDER: the patterns of social life is a product of structural arrangements [collective orientation and individual] ACTION: what motivates individuals to act? Non-rational motives and rational motives v. Intellectual forces (Enlightenment)...
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...Why and What Do We Compare? The Story of Revolution and Democratization Mehrzad Boroujerdi, Syracuse University Introduction The field of comparative politics starts with the assumption that knowledge in the social sciences must proceed by way of the search for comparisons, or what has been called "suggestive contrasts." Scholars of comparative politics compare in order to discover similarities and explain differences. As infrequent and highly complex events, revolutions have attracted a great deal of attention from comparativists. In this article, we will address the following topics: • The Concept of Revolution • Why Revolutions Happen? • Can Revolutions be Predicted? • What Do Revolutions Accomplish? • What Are some of the Failures of Revolutions? • Comparing Characteristics and Outcomes of Some Revolutions • Questions The Concept of Revolution: According to the American philosopher Richard Rorty "revolution," like such other words as "reason," "democracy," and "socialism" is a "thick word" which can be contrasted with such "thin words" as truth, dialogue, and justice. How do we define a "revolution?" How are revolutions distinct from other forms of political change such as Coup d'état, rebellion, mutiny, insurrection, or uprising? All of the above nouns may denote acts of violence aimed at changing or overthrowing an existing order or authority. However, there are important legal and political differences among them as well. ...
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...French Revolution Storming of the Bastille, 14 July 1789. Participants French society Location France Date 1789–1799 Result A cycle of royal power limited by uneasy constitutional monarchy; then the abolition and replacement of the French king, aristocracy and church with a radical, secular, democratic republic, which, in turn, becomes more authoritarian, militaristic and property-based. Radical social change based on nationalism, democracy and the Enlightenment principles of citizenship and inalienable rights. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. Armed conflicts with other European countries. Part of a series on the History of France Prehistory[show] Ancient[show] Early Middle Ages[show] Middle Ages[show] Early modern[show] 19th century[show] 20th century[show] France portal v t e The French Revolution (French: Révolution française; 1789–1799), was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France that had a lasting impact on French history and more broadly throughout Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed within three years. French society underwent an epic transformation, as feudal, aristocratic and religious privileges evaporated under a sustained assault from radical left-wing political groups, masses on the streets, and peasants in the countryside.[1] Old ideas about tradition and hierarchy regarding monarchs, aristocrats, and the Catholic Church were abruptly overthrown by new principles of Liberté, égalité...
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...rain. From year to year these changes may be scarcely perceptible. But one day, when the banks are thoroughly weakened and the rains long and heavy, the river floods, bursts its banks, and may take a new course. This represents the dialectical part of Marx’s famous theory of dialectical (or historical) materialism." Historical materialism is a methodological approach to the study of society, economics, and history first articulated by Karl Marx (1818–1883) as the materialist conception of history. It is a theory of socioeconomic development according to which changes in material conditions (technology and productive capacity) are the primary influence on how society and the economy are organised. Historical materialism looks for the causes of developments and changes in human society in the means by which humans collectively produce the necessities of life. Social classes and the relationship between them, plus the political structures and ways of thinking in society, are founded on and reflect contemporary economic activity. Since Marx's time, the theory has been modified and expanded by thousands of Marxist thinkers. It now has many Marxist and non-Marxist variants. Objectives of Study: • To define Historical Materialism. • To discuss about the basic philosophy behind the concept of historical Materialism by Karl Marx. • To study about the Recent Versions of Historical Materialism. • To findout the limitations of the Concept of Historical Materialism. ...
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...Roberts (available at GAU library) Recommended Sources: Donald Kagan et al: A Political History of Europe, since 1814 by Charles Seignobos, S. M. Macvane, The Western Heritage, Brief Edition, 2003 Websites: The course focuses on European history from the early 17th century to the end of the Second World War. The following aspects of political history of five selected countries - France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy and Spain- are covered : early kingdoms, unification, nationalism movements, political philosophies, conferences, alliance systems and conflicts which had an impact on Europe during the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries.Topics such as the Enlightenment, the French Revolution, the Concert of Europe, and the two world wars will also be discussed. Special emphasis will be placed on the relationship between the rise of liberalism and nationalism, the industrial revolution, and the emergence of modern political systems in Europe. Contents Introduction Chapter 1 Political history of France : Chapter 2 Political history of Germany: Chapter 3 Political history of Great Britain: Chapter 4 Political history of Italy: Chapter 5 Political history of Spain: Introduction In studying political history of European states, we put a focus on the beginning of the 18th century as a starting point in the rise of major European powers in the face of waning non-Western empires, which led to the consequent politicization of the region as a whole, raising the stakes...
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...Appraisal and Critique (1) Socio-economic and historical context Just before 1848 Revolution, Marx says in the development of Bourgeois class there are 2 phases to distinguish: (i) One which constitutes support Absolute Monarchy (ii) The one which constitutes itself as class, overthrows Feudalism and it establishes its own political rule (Bourgeois Rule) The 1st phase lasted for 3 centuries from 16th C – 18th C The 2nd phase roughly from 1780’s to 1840’s. Actually 1789-1848 is called the Ag of Revolution. During the 1st phase, when it is still constituting itself – their philosophical spokesmen are found in NL school – i.e. Hobbes, Locke etc. – Notion of Justice and equality show the core they argue for change against status quo. The philosophy is metaphysical but revolutionary because it is fighting for change against the status quo. 2nd Phase: The triumph/victory of the Bourgeoisie. In this phase – consolidation of the Bourgeoisie clan at the political level - this found expression in the French Revolution 1789. – Bourgeoisie is confident, interested in certainty, no longer interested in speculation but hard facts. It is during this period that positivism arises. 2 Strands of Development (1) Development of S & T – directly connected with development of Industrial revolution. (2) The development of centralized Bourgeois state on (1) S & T industrial revolution was unprecedented development. In...
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