FREE Government and the French Revolution Essay (original) (raw)

The French Revolution brought forth great changes in the government and society of France. It lasted from 1789 to 1799, and had democratic effects of France; however the revolution did not make France a democratic country. The revolution began with a governmental financial crisis, but quickly became a movement of reform and violent change. Background leading up to the French revolution includes various social, political, and economic conditions. The conditions were the cause of much discontentment among the lower and middle classes. Legal divisions among social groups had existed for hundreds of years. The three estates were as follows: the clergy made up the first estate, the nobles the second, and the rest of the people the third. Peasants of course were the largest, most economically disadvantaged and abused group. The peasants could hardly make enough money to put food on the table, let they were the most heavily taxed. The clergy and nobles did not have to pay taxes. .
New ideas about the government challenged France's absolute monarchy. During the 1700's, the French writers were called philosophers and philosophers from other countries raised new ideas about freedom. Some of these thinkers suggested the right to govern came from the people. The financial crises really brought a lot of stress on France. With the Seven Years War (1756-1763) and the American Revolution (1775-1783), the French government was almost bankrupt. .
On May 5, 1789, at Versailles, near Paris, the Estates-General opened. This body was made up of representatives form the three estates. Most members wanted to take these troubling matters and discus and vote on them as separate estates, but the third estate urged that they combine and all as one discus and vote on the issues together. They also pushed that the Estates-General write a constitution. In June of 1789, the representatives of the third estate declared themselves the National Assembly of France.

1. French Revolution

On the eve of the Revolution, France had grown to such a state that a revolution was irrefutable. ... The Civil Constitution of the clergy was evidence that the revolutionists were fighting for fair government to enhance their ideas accompanying the New France after a revolution. ... After realizing a revolution and their petitions answered, France vowed not to return to a tyrant. ... All in all, the French government created its own revolution. ... The French revolution was built upon these ideals which would correct any and all corruption in the government. ...

2. A Bourgeois Revolution - The French Revolution

The French Revolution was believed to be the bourgeois revolution for the noble cause of equality. ... The French Revolution took place from 1789 to 1799. ... Another immediate cause of the French Revolution is the rising price of the bread. ... And this caused the tax payers to revolt against the government. ... Hence the outcomes of the French revolution were such that there was the abolition of the French Monarchy. ...

3. French Revolution

The Bourbons and the Bourgeoisie The French Revolution is among the most well known revolution throughout the world. ... King Louis XIV (1774-1793) was king at the time of the French Revolution. ... During the 18th century, the French government spent more money than it collected in taxes. ... Some saw this as a blow to tyranny and a symbol of the French Revolution. ... (Ellis and Esler pg.503) The French Revolution was for the better. ...

4. French Revolution

The French Revolution was a dramatic change in all of European history. The revolution was necessary in the fact that it changed the lifestyles of all humans in France during this time. ... The French Revolution could have been avoided, but it would have delayed the development of the world that we know. The French Revolution started when Louis XVI came into power. ... These soldiers were sent to provoke the people of France to participate in the revolution. ...

5. French Revolution

A revolution is the overthrowing if a government or ruler by the governed and then substituting another. ... The Enlightenment and the political leaders led France to financial problems, causing the French Revolution. The people wanted change and brought on the revolt against their government. As a result, France's whole government perspective changed. ... Another cause of the French Revolution was the storming of the Bastille. ...

6. French And American Revolution

During the late 1700's, two great revolutions occurred, the American Revolution and the French Revolution. ... When French Revolution occurred, it turned into a very violent and bloody event, while the American Revolution was almost nonviolent, aside from the war. ... Had Turgot been allowed to pursue his policies of free trade and less government intervention, France may very well have become Europe's first common market and avoided violent revolution. ... However, the real French Revolution began not at Versailles but on the streets of Paris. ... The French Revolution had begun. ...

7. French Revolution

The French Revolution provided the world with its first meaningful experience of political ideology, and hence brought many governmental changes, social changes and the theme of nationalism. ... The French Revolution unleashed many new forces and destroyed old ones. ... The revolution unified France and enhanced the power of the national state. ... The French Revolution was a classic political and social experience. ... The greatest legacy of the French Revolution however, was that people could ch...

8. Causes of the French Revolution

The causes of the French Revolution Like the American Revolution, the French Revolution had its immediate origins in the financial difficulties of the government. ... One of the long-term origins of the French Revolution was the growing tension between the nobility and the comfortable members of the third estate, usually known as the bourgeoisie, or middle class. ... As a result, the French bourgeoisie eventually rose up to lead the entire third estate in a great social revolution, a revolution that destroyed feudal privileges and established a capitalist order based on individualis...

9. French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era

The French Revolution lasted ten years starting in 1789 and ending in the year 1799. The French revolution was a period of very radical social and political change in French and European history. ... Next, the second stage of the revolution took on equality to rally their troops, which was also the revolution of the working people in the French cities. ... Because France had an unchecked government is what led to gross fiscal irresponsibility. ... The French government was not paying taxes and the lower class was paying twice as much to cover the royal community. ...

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