The Basics Of The French Revolution

The era from 1789 to 1799 was the most heavily influenced by the French Revolution. During this time period, the entire kingdom was overthrown, the Enlightenment-inspired revolution rose, and the first French Republic came into being.

France’s Revolution: Causes and Effects

There were three distinct social classes known by the name ‘Estates’ before even the French Revolution.

Before the French Revolution, French society had three distinct social classes known as the “Estates.” This way of organization stemmed from the feudal system, which strongly influenced 18th-century French society. The first estate consisted of bishops, priests, and any other applicable clergy members. Because of this role, they had a significant amount of power within the church and as political beings. An individual born into a noble family was considered to be from the second estate, which comprised the aristocrats, lords, and any other noble in the society.

One must mention that the nobility had its privileges and immunities, which are very close to the exemptions from taxation. The Third Estate was the most populous but least favored estate made of peasants, merchants, and what we can call ‘new wealthy people.’ Despite the fact that the Third Estate held the majority of the population, they had to pay a lot of taxes, and they had fewer privileges than they wanted. The failure of dividing privileges and oppressing authority, the reformation of the estates, and the existence of inequalities were the major causes of the French Revolution.

Various causes, including social, economic, and political factors, led to the French Revolution. The feudal system that prevailed in France in the 18th century was archaic not only from the standpoint of modern democratic society but was also oppressive, especially for the lower population. There were three estates in society: the First Estate, comprised of clergy; the Second Estate, consisting of nobility; and the Third Estate, which was most of the population of France but suffered most of the taxes and had almost no say in the government.

Assault on the Bastille

There’s no doubt that, on July 14, 1789, one of the most iconic and pivotal moments in the history of the French Revolution occurred, known as the Bastille Storming. It’s a symbol of royal tyranny and oppression during the reign of Charles VI.

The Bastille was a medieval fortress and state prison in Paris. It was attacked by the people who gathered for the sole purpose of political change and motivated by deep-seated discontent. In this perspective, storming the Bastille was hardly an act of seizing the military fortress but more of damaging a symbol of the absolutist power of kings. The physical capture of the prison known as the Bastille and the royal stronghold represented the fall of arbitrary royal authority when the common populace overpowered the guards. The event profoundly altered French society and the entire political environment in this regard and put the revolutionary spirit into effect. In the past, the tool storming of the Bastille could be viewed as an act of rebellion, a demonstration of the desire of ordinary people to change their lives for the better and stand against tyranny.

During France’s “Reign Of Terror”

The moment of Napoleon Bonaparte and the climb to power can be considered a shift in time after the French Revolution, known as the “Reign of Terror.” Emerging in the late 18th century, he ascended France’s throne. During his rule, he centralized authority, expanded the kingdom through military campaigns, and effected changes across the domestic front. Despite this, there is no doubt that Napoleon’s strategies were neither perfect nor beyond question, yet he was a figure who aimed to bring order after the revolution. The Napoleonic Code was introduced, and people started to become afraid of him because of the autocratic government he established and his aggressive military expeditions throughout Europe. After the beheading of Louis XVI and the stage of radical changes in 1794, Napoleon set up a new style of concentration of power in his hands, thus eradicating the new political concept of the 18th century.

Following the Event

These revolutions had a far-reaching impact on France’s political, social, and cultural life and the world. Towards the end of the 18th century, there were changes in the political system when the king was dethroned, and the First French Republic was formed, which was created on the principles of liberalism, equities, and fraternity. The privileges of clergy and nobility in the case of the feudal system elimination deprived privileges of their basis. The change also brought nationalist emotions; the people of France felt like one. However, the revolution also aimed at establishing a fairer and equal society, which was mitigated by the Reign of Terror and conservative opposition from Europe. In each way, there were indeed problems with the French Revolution, but the impact that was left behind would last into further revolutions of democracy, human rights, and social justice.