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French Revolution

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After viewing the PPT choose which aspect of the French Revolution you think was the most liberating, compare it to the quote by Mill on page 326 of the text and in four paragraphs (20 sentences minimum) answer the following two part question, 1). Would Mill embrace or reject the French Revolution, and 2) How would the French Revolution fit within the ideas of the Byronic Hero in the text? The French Revolution was a period of upheaval due to the political, social and economic problems that the French faced during the 18th century. The country was ruled by the French Monarchy and was divided into three estates; the First Estate-the Clergy, the Second Estate- the Nobility, and the Third Estate-the common people and all others. Prior to the revolution France had no legislature and their finances were managed by Kings. The country was under fiscal crisis under their rule, primarily due to the First and the Second State’s exemption from most taxation and the Monarchy’s extravagant and gluttonous lifestyle. The Third Estate revolted as they grew weary of being burdened with the heavy taxation used to support the lavish lifestyles of the Monarchy and the aristocrats.
During the Liberal Revolution the Third Estate wanted to be liberated. Their rights were being abused by the French Monarchy and they rebelled to be liberated. They wanted to be free from the Their demands included: Equality of rights and civil liberties; equality before the law; no special privileges for the rich; equality of opportunity; careers open to talent; and inherent tension between liberty and equality. I believe that John Stuart Mill agrees with the Liberal Revolution. According to Bishop he stated, “ Only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others (Bishop 326).” I believe what believe that the best way to govern society is not necessarily to put the power over a person preventing them from having their own power to make their own decisions.
How would the French Revolution fit within the ideas of the Byronic Hero in the text? The French revolution lead to a powerful, artistic and intellectual movement called Romanticism. The romantic artists used feelings and imagination to joint in the fight for his country. The most famous of these artists was the romantic hero Lord Byron, an English poet. According to Bishop Lord Byron, “lived a life of sexual freedom, political idealism, and exotic travel (Bishop 330).” His works inspired strong emotions in young revolutionary artist to use their craft to lend their artistic view in the fight. The French artist Eugene Delacroix painted the Liberty Leading the People, commemorating the event of the revolution in July of 1830. Lady Liberty carries the flag of the French Revolution as she leads her people on over mounds of corpses.

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