World History (Part-II)

Sub-part-III: French Revolution (1789-1815 CE)

 Background : 3. The French monarchy had been facing a
 The French Revolution is considered a very financial crisis for a long time. So, its
significant event in world history. The participation in American war of
process of transformation of the middle independence brought it to the verge of
age into the modern one, which had economic bankruptcy. Therefore, financial
started from the period of Renaissance distress became the immediate factor of
and Reformation, was completed during French revolution.
this period. Furthermore, a series of  Political, Economic, Social and Cultural
modern institutions came into existence factors responsible for French Revolution -
in the course of the French Revolution. In  Political Situation - In the situation of
fact French Revolution should not be economic-social unrest & economic crisis,
evaluated in isolation rather it should be only a competent ruler could handle the
taken as the continuation of the event situation in better way. But, unfortunately
taking place right from the time of both the successors of Louis XIV, Louis
enlightenment. On one hand the XV & Louis XVI were not competent
American revolution encouraged the enough to tackle the situation. Therefore,
French revolution in terms of ideological economic & social unrest were allowed to
factors and the success of the middle class escalate into a major political crisis which
gave new consciousness to the revolution became a prelude to the revolution.
on the other.
 Economic Factor - The most favorable
 French revolution tried to answer the
situation for a revolution is a condition in
questions which had been awaiting before which a long period of economic
Europe till 1789. These questions were prosperity is being followed by a short
such as- relations between monarchy and period of economic decline. In the same
middle class, monarchy and aristocratic manner, the French economy expanded
class, aristocratic class and middle class
widely between 1730s and 1760s, but from
and lastly, middle class and lower class.
1770s onwards depressionary situation
The French revolution answered earlier
prevailed in Europe. One of the reasons
three questions but the fourth one
behind it was the disruption in the influx
remained unanswered which later Russian
of precious metals from the New World
Revolution tried to answer.
(America). Naturally, it impacted France
 How was it inspired by American
as well. Then incidents of crop failure in
Revolution?
France consecutively in 1788 and 1789
 The French revolution was significantly made the situation more complicated and
influenced by American Revolution in finally bread riots occurred.
following ways -
 Social Structure of France - French society
1. The French troops were sent to the was internally divided between privileged
American colony to fight against the section and unprivileged section. The first
British. So, there they were inspired by the Estate comprising the clergy and the
ideas of revolution. second Estate comprising the aristocracy
2. The American revolution symbolised were associated with the privileged
victory of the middle class, so it section. These two estates enjoyed various
encouraged the expectations of the middle sorts of economic & social privileges
class in France.
History By Manikant Singh 1
 including not simply exemption from 4. Revolutionaries used their ideas time &
taxes but also the right to impose some again to legitimise their position.
taxes on commoners. The middle class as  But there is another side of the picture as
well as the lower class belonged to the well. None of these thinkers were present
Third Estate which represented the non- during the time of revolution. Unlike
privileged section of society. The Third American leaders Thomas Jefferson &
Estate consisted of the middle class and Benjamin Franklin, they neither
lower class. participated in the revolution nor did they
 Middle class was highly dissatisfied with form any political party. In fact, they had
its position as its economic status was a very remote and indirect relation with
largely improved, but it was socially the revolution. That’s why the role of
deprived. In other words, in France, there philosophers cannot be evaluated in
was a major contradiction between dissociation with the objective material
economically effective class & socially factor of the time.
effective class. Even lower class was grieved  Immediate Factor - The French monarchy
due to tax burden and excessive feudal had been facing the situation of financial
exaction. Therefore, it was looking towards crisis since a long time. Consequently, its
middle class for leadership and was ready participation in the Seven Years’ War
to link its future with that of the middle depleted its treasury even more and finally
class. its participation in the American war of
 Intellectual and Cultural Factor - The independence brought it to the verge of
profound impact of the Enlightenment economic bankruptcy. Now the
was seen on France and Paris became the government had only one solution, i.e., to
epicenter of intellectual activity. It is said expand the tax base by including the
that an all encompassing event like French aristocracy within its ambit. A financial
Revolution can never occur in the advisor Colonne tried to talk to the nobles
condition of intellectual vacuum. in the council of notables, but the nobles
Therefore, the French scholars who turned down the proposal.
influenced the course of revolution were  At last, the French monarch, Louis XIV
Montesquieu, Voltaire, Diderot, Rousseau summoned the Estate General. The Estate
etc. Though they were middle class General was a French Parliament, which
thinkers so they believed in peaceful had remained in the state of animated
transformation, not in revolution and suspension for the last 175 years. The
these thinkers made their contribution to summoning of the Estate General had a
the revolution in following manner- symbolic meaning that the monarchy
1. They drew the attention of the people surrendered before the revolutionary
towards existing political, economic & forces.
social apathy through their ideas.  So when, in May 1789, the session of
2. They coined certain revolutionary terms Estates General started, it became almost
like ‘ Rule of Law’, 'Citizen', 'Motherland', impossible to conduct the business
'Individual Rights' etc. smoothly. In the session, differences
3. They organised one of the earliest forms appeared between the privileged sections
of civil society i.e. ‘Club and Coffee houses’ and the members of the Third Estate on
through which their ideas spread quickly. the issue of voting.
In fact, the Estates General consisted of
three chambers. First Chamber and the
History By Manikant Singh 2
 Second Chamber represented the clergy strong middle class, and in the
and the aristocracy respectively while the Netherlands the peasants supported the
third chamber was represented by the counter-revolutionaries against the middle
middle class. Traditionally, voting was class. Furthermore, The French middle
done in each chamber separately and then class differed from that of its European
the decision was taken on the basis of the counterpart in that in France there was
majority of chambers. This pattern of deeper contradiction between
voting favoured privileged sections but economically effective class and
this time the middle class demanded politically effective class.
combined voting and a decision based on Progress and Nature of Revolution
numerical strength. But the privileged (1789-1815)
classes rejected this proposal. As the First Phase - The phase of Constitutional
matter could not be resolved, the Monarchy (1789-92)
representatives of the third estate
 Social basis :- During this phase, the
boycotted the session and moved to Tennis
leadership of the revolution was in the
Court Assembly in nearby region on 17th
hands of the middle class, but the lower
of June. It is here they were joined by
class also influenced the revolution. That’s
artisans of Paris and peasants of France
why at some places revolution took a
popularly known as ‘Mob of Paris’. Thus,
violent form but the middle class
started the revolution.
leadership maintained its hegemony, so
 Here we should be conscious about the
revolutionary radicalism remained to be
fact that even the third estate was not a subdued to a certain extent. This phase is
monolithic class. It consisted of middle considered as the phase of constitutional
class as well as lower class both and both monarchy. During this phase the following
the classes were having divergence in their events occurred-
objectives. The objective of the middle
1. Decline of Bastille (July 14, 1789)– On
class was to establish a limited monarchy,
14th July 1789, the Mob of Paris made an
on the other hand, the objective of the
attack on Bastille. It was a royal prison
lower class was to achieve economic &
and it was the symbol of the absolutist
social democracy. So, even within the
character of the government. The mob
third estate, the class conflict was going
looted the weapons stored there while
on and it was this class conflict & the
killing the royal guards. This event had a
relative change in the position of the two
greater symbolic value, as it was
classes which specified the nature of the
tantamount to the decline of the royal
revolution in different phases.
autocracy.
 Why did this revolution occurred in France,
2. Abolition of Feudalism (August 4, 1789)–
not in other regions of Europe?
On 4th August 1789, National Assembly
 It is to be noted that the ideal condition
abolished feudalism and France became a
for a revolution in any country are the
nation of free peasantry. Feudal Lords or
presence of a strong middle class and deep
aristocrats had to loose their privileges like
discontentment among different classes.
imposing taxes on others, exemption from
Apart from that, these classes should be
the state tax and also judicial rights.
ready to form an alliance among
Similarlly, Clergy had to surrender their
themselves against the system. As we know,
right to impose religious tax. All these
such conditions existed only in France,
changes meant that class privileges were
whereas, Poland and Hungary lacked a
abolished in France and legally all came
History By Manikant Singh 3
 on the common footing. But things were a unicameral legislature in the
not as simple as they appeared to be on constitution but the assembly committed
the surface. In spite of the abolition of a major mistakes as it decided that the
feudalism, Nobles could preserve their members of the constituent assembly
property rights. It meant, after losing could not be the member of National
relatively less important rights they could legislature. Due to this reason, the
preserve more important rights. revolution lost those elements which were
3. Declaration of the rights of men & citizens responsible for maintaining the balance
(August 26, 1789) – On 26th August 1789, between 1789 and 1791. But in spite of
National Assembly presented a the limitations mentioned above, this
Declaration of the Rights of Men and constitution had a larger value, as this
Citizens. It is supposed to be a major constitution was the first written
achievement of the revolution. It was the constitution in Europe (British
next and logical step to the earlier constitution was a gradually evolved
declaration of American revolutionaries. constitution).
However, the declaration of the rights by Second Phase - The phase of Radical
the French revolutionaries were more Republicanism (1792-94)
significant and unique as it was  New class equation - During this phase, the
theoretically guided by Rousseau’s middle class leadership was knocked out
concept of ‘General Will’. This declaration and the lower class seized the platform for
was not simply in context of France but the time being. The reforms and changes
rather in context of the whole world. In brought by the middle class could not
this, they promised the right to individual satisfy the lower class. During this time,
freedom, right to property, right to safety the two radical parties prevailed in France
from arbitrary imprisonment etc., which i.e. Jacobins and Girondists and they
reflected the interest of the middle class. wanted to bring radical change in France.
But they did not bother about ensuring In 1792, radical members established their
the right to work, the right to livelihood control on assembly through the second
etc. that were desperately demanded by revolution and brought a new constitution
the lower class. Lastly, it was the in August, 1792. In this constitution,
declaration of rights of men, but not those Universal Male Suffrage was introduced.
of women. These radical members abolished the
4. Framing of New Constitution (1791) – As monarchy by making the king captive and
National Assembly had been working as declared France a republic in September,
a constituent assembly as well, so in 1791, 1792.
a new constitution came into existence.  Formation of Jacobin Government – Later
In this constitution, there was the on, the differences appeared even between
hegemony of the middle class. As we know, Girondists & Jacobins. According to
having been inspired by the idea of Girondists, after declaring republic
Montesquieu, the concept of separation of the objective of the revolution was
power introduced in this new constitution. accomplished, so the revolution should
In this constitution, there was the have stayed there. But, according to
provision for limited franchise, which Jacobins, the revolution had to move
suited to the interest of the middle class. further on. The Jacobins were inclined to
The voting criterion was linked to the bring the revolution under the Mob of
property criteria. There was a provision for Paris. In fact, Girondists & Jacobians
History By Manikant Singh 4
 represented two different social bases. against an incompetent government were
Girondists represented the lower middle also ensured. Under this government, the
class while Jacobians lower class. As system of 'military conscription' was
Jacobians were much more organized than introduced by a Military General ‘Carno’
Girondist so they eliminated Girondists and that became instrumental behind the
completely and finally in June 1793, military success of France.
Jacobians came to establish a dictatorial  Limitations of Jacobin government– The
government that is known in French ‘Reign of Terror’ is characterized as the
history as “Reign of Terror” or “Jacobians darkest phase of the democratic
Terror”. revolution in France. This phase produced
 Actually during the phase of radical one of the worst dictatorial governments
republicanism, the platform of the in the world. During the phase of Jacobin
revolution was hijacked by the lower class. terror, the French Revolution started to
That's why the revolution became bloody devour its own children under Robespierre.
& violent and Jacobian rule continued Guillotine worked as a death machine and
between June 1793 and June 1794 and it later it came to use as phraseology for the
gave a terrible face to the revolution. So it era of violence & dictatorship. The worst
became the first evidence of a modern type side of the picture was that the Reign of
of dictatorship government. All powers Terror was declared in the name of the
were regimented under a single dictator betterment of the lower-class but the
Robespierre as he eliminated other leaders maximum number of people who were
like Dante, Herbert etc. and established a killed in this course were associated with
one-man dictatorship. Quite surprisingly, the lower class itself.
this dictatorial government was formed in Third Phase - Moderate Republicanism
the name of “General Will of Rousseau”. (1794-99)
In June 1794, the government of  Class Equation– During this stage once
Robespierre declined and even he was again the leadership came into the hands
eliminated. In French history, this of the middle class. At this turn of history,
incident is known as the 'Thermodorian lower-class people were not so strongly
Reaction', as it occurred on the day of 9th organized. On the issue of rationing of
Thermodorian. In fact, Thermidorian was grains to the artisans of Paris, differences
the name of French calendar. This incident appeared between peasants & artisans. As
was symbolic of the takeover of power by peasants were compelled to sell their grains
the middle class once again. at cheaper rates, that’s why the
 Positive contribution of Jacobin government of Robespierre declined.
Government– Jacobin government  Rule of Directory– In this phase, the
encouraged the republican and socialist middle class again brought the changes in
ideas and also promoted secularism. It was the nature of government according to its
for the first time that universal adult male own world view. After the decline of
suffrage was introduced in France. He Jacobin rule, a new constitution was
encouraged socialist ideas through introduced in 1795. Once again the
ensuring ‘right to work’ and ‘right to food’. provision of limited franchise was
Government started the rationing of introduced in place of universal male
grains for the urban artisans. Apart from suffrage. In this constitution there was a
this, the right to education, the right to provision for bicameral legislature with the
property as well as the right to revolt executive power vested in five directors.
History By Manikant Singh 5
 This government is known as the ‘Rule by · Napoleon’s reforms could also maintain
Directory’. In this government, the certain ideals of revolution. In fact, the
political parties were consciously provision of equality before law, freedom
discouraged but at that time, no one of religion, property rights etc. were
surmised that the absence of a political included in his civil code (Napoleon Code).
party could automatically lead to the rise Moreover, he emphasized the talent for the
of an individual, and that was Napoleon selection in government services. His tax
Bonaparte. policy was based on the ideals of
Fourth Phase - The Age of Dictatorship and revolution as it included the provision of
Imperialism in the name of democracy distribution of taxes. Further, he
(1799-1814) established the 'Bank of France' for the
smooth functioning of finance. Even
 As we observed after 1794, the revolution
outside of France, he was welcomed as
turned in favor of the middle class.
crowned-Jacobian, as Napoleon projected
Though, Napoleon was also working in
himself as the representative of
favor of the middle class, he dismantled
revolution.
the Directory rule in 1799 and established
a new government with a new constitution.  Negative Aspects: Destroyer of the
Further, in 1804 he abolished the republic revolution – Napoleon altered some
in France and declared himself the important ideals of the revolution. He
emperor of France. Napoleon ended the restored the monarchy in altered form and
radical reforms brought by the Jacobin even tried to link his legacy to old Bourbon
government and tactfully diteched the kings. For example, he called Louis XIV
revolution from the idea of equality and ‘mon-oncle’ means my uncle. Further, he
liberty and linked it to nationalism and sidelined the legislative body and carried
military pride. his works through plebiscite. This became
a common tool for future dictators like
 Evaluation of Napoleon :-
Hitler and Mussolini. Napoleon put a
 Positive Aspects: Child of the
check over liberty, one of the ideals of the
revolution or made a link between old
revolution. Although he permitted
France and New France– It was the
equality, for him the equality means equal
revolution itself that prepared the way for
opportunity but not economic equality.
the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. The
His Napoleon Code made female members
revolution opened the gate for the rise of
of the family subordinated to the male
talent. A newcomer like Napoleon could
ones. Likewise, the revolution had
rise from the status of common man to the
emphasized the method of direct tax but
military General of France and further to
Napoleon gave more emphasis on indirect
the position of French emperor. It was the
tax. In the same way, the revolution had
ideals of the revolution which legitimized
emphasized more on the policy of laissez
the position of Napoleon Bonaparte on
faire but Napoleon gave more priority to
many occasions even after Napoleon
mercantilist policy. He maintained certain
departed from the set course of the
coercive laws, discouraged political parties
revolution. Even when he declared himself
and through secret police, eliminated his
to be the emperor of France, he declared
enemies. So he became an inspiration for
that now republic laid in a single person
future dictators. Napoleon separated the
i.e. Napoleon Bonaparte.
ideals of liberty and equality from French

History By Manikant Singh 6

 Revolution and turned it into nationalism France of the post-revolutionary era.
and military pride. Napoleon realized that the revolution has
linked to the radical ideas of Rousseau.
So he preferably tried to detach the
revolution from the idea of Rousseau and
to link it to that of thinkers like
Montesquieu and Locke.
2. On the one hand, he tried to maintain
equality but put a certain check on liberty.
Even on the front of equality, he was a bit
cautious as he promised to apply the
equality of opportunity.
3. He even tried to link his lineage to the
Bourbon kings and in their fashion, he
concentrated the power into his hand.
Although his monarchy was different from
 How was the nationalism encouraged after
the Bourbon monarchy in that it was
the victory of Napoleon?
approved by the popular support and
 The regions where Napoleon expanded his
plebiscite.
empire, the ideals of the revolution also
4. Although he maintained the abolition of
expanded there. The ideals of the
feudalism and talks in teams of equality
revolution gave legitimacy to the
of people. But he revived some old laws
Napoleonic empire. Therefore, in his
of Bourbon monarchs in which there was
conquered territory he abolished
a provision of arrest even without a
feudalism and redefined the relations with
warrant.
the Church and implemented the
Napoleonic Code. In fact, the reforms of 5. On the one hand he neglected the
Napoleon developed the essence of unity legislative body but on the other hand, he
among the European nations and got the approval for his policy directly
strengthened nationalism. Apart from from the people through the method of a
that, he reorganised the Italian regions plebiscite. Likewise, through secret police,
and formally abolished the Holy Roman he preferred to eliminate his enemy.
Empire and consolidated the German  In this way, through adopting certain
states. courses of action, Napoleon preferred to
 How did Napoleon link old Europe to New link New France with old one.
Europe?  Continental System of Napoleon
· Actually the Napoleonic reforms were  After continuous success, Napoleon was
guided by certain exigencies. The radical inclined to destroy his only rival, Britain.
phase of revolution destroyed old He realized that the power and strength
institutions completely but they did not of Britain lay in its commercial success.
create new institutions for compensating Napoleon therefore, implemented an
them. So a vacuum was created which economic blockade against Britain after
Napoleon had to fill up and he took the Treaty of Tilsit. With this purpose,
following steps- Napoleon introduced, so called, Berlin
1. Here old France meant pre-revolutionary Declaration and Milan declaration in 1806
France and New France meant the radical and 1807 respectively. After the support

History By Manikant Singh 7

 of Russia it was assumed the victory of ideas of liberty, equality, and fraternity
this policy. According to this policy, while outside of France Napoleon
British ships were not allowed to anchor ruthlessly followed the imperialistic
at either French port or any port of its policies. Earlier Napoleon was welcomed
friendly country. There were two objectives by European people as a liberator but very
of this policy, primarily it aimed to cripple soon in the light of noble ideas of
the British expor ts and secondly, revolution the imperialistic character of
channelize European trade in favor of his rule was exposed. Obviously, the people
France. Britain responded to this policy turned against him and his empire in
and declared if anyone was barred from Europe was shaken.
British goods he could not buy the same 2. One of the major factors behind the
from other countries. But this system military success of France against Europe
backfired damaging France. Due to the was military conscription or the concept
lack of sufficient naval force, France was of the citizen’s army. It is on that basis,
unable to enforce this system strictly and France could take excellence in other
due to the disruption of British European countries. But later having been
merchandise goods, there was severe inspired by France itself even other
European nations adopted the method of
scarcity of consumer goods in the market.
military conscription so France lost its
It created popular discontentment, so
specialty and now French soldiers could
revolt against Napoleon started in Spain
be outnumbered by other European
and Holland. Then European monarchs
nations.
benefitted from this situation and they
Strategic mistakes–
also started to make revolt against
1. Continental system developed by Napoleon
Napoleon one by one. When Russian
Bonaparte- As Napoleon introduced the
monarch Czar Alexander I withdrew from
system without the proper planning and
this system Napoleon was so enraged that
preparation so it resulted in a scarcity of
he decided to punish him. This started
essential goods from the market. It created
Moscow expedition of Napoleon in 1812.
wider public discontentment and this
Therefore, this continental system proved
discontentment led to the revolution. This
more devastating to France than Britain.
popular revolt was later joined by
 Reason behind the collapse of Napoleonic European power against Napoleon. So,
Empire – Napoleon was defeated in 1813.
 Napoleon created one of the largest
2. Moscow expedition was a major mistake on
empires in Europe but right from the very the part of Napoleon Bonaparte. In this
beginning, this empire had continued to expedition, a larger part of his soldiers was
face some basic contradictions. So, due to destroyed. In fact, on the western and
the contradictions of Napoleon’s eastern border of Europe, there were two
imperialism and the strategic mistakes superpowers, one was Britain and other
committed by him led to the decline of was Russia. If any third power in Europe
its empire. was inclined to maintain the dominance
Contradictions of Napoleon’s imperialism - in Europe it needed the support of at least
1. The major contradiction was the one of the powers. But a big mistake on
incompatibility between the noble ideas the part of Napoleon was that he went on
of revolution and the reality of the such a devastating expedition in the
Napoleonic Empire. In other words, eastern part (Moscow expedition) while in
whereas revolution professed the noble west, Britain was still unconquered. The

History By Manikant Singh 8

 same mistake was committed by Hitter credit to this revolution for launching a
130 years later. process which was full of future potentialities.
Question: French Revolution was the harbinger  Significance of French Revolution and its
of democracy in Europe. Critically examine the legacy–
statement.  The French revolution brought immediate
‘Critically examine’ means you have not to take changes in France and Europe but in the
one sided view rather you have to go through pros long-term it changed the perspective of
and cons, merit and demerit, strength and the whole world.
weakness i.e. both side of the statement. Then you 1. It promoted liberal ideology i.e.
should take the conclusion. The conclusion should representative government, the
be in favor of any side depending on the issue declaration of the Rights of Man and of
which is involved in the topic. the Citizen.
Answer:- French Revolution proved a greater 2. The major outcome of the French
land mark in the history of France and revolution was to encourage popular
Europe. It brought a momentous change in participation in politics and this resulted
the nature of government, statecraft and the in structural change in politics.
relationship between state and society. But in 3. It was enshrined with the idea of modern
course of the revolution to what extent the nationalism, which was based on popular
gap between promises and fulfillment could sovereignty, and as a result, the unification
be bridged, needs deep scrutiny. of Italy and Germany was possible.
The revolution started with the famous 4. Revolution gave impetus to ideas like
slogan liberty, equality and fraternity. republicanism and democracy.
Feudalism was abolished and then appeared 5. During the reign of Jacobin, concepts like
the declaration of rights of men and citizen socialism or socialist ideas also thrived.
which was ideologically inspired by 6. Furthermore, it produced its impact on the
Rousseau’s concept of common will. The buck liberation movement in Latin America
does not stop here but up to September 1892 during the early decades of the nineteenth
monarchy was uprooted and France became century.
a republic. Very soon French Revolution was 7. It also left an imprint on Asian continent.
converted into an all European Revolution For example, the nationalists like Raja
when Napoleon’s conquest gave a serious jolt Rammohan Roy and Tipu Sultan in India
to old order in Europe. were also influenced by the ideas of the
But there is another side of picture as well. French revolution.
Gradually revolution diverted from its main  Limitations of the French Revolution–
course. Under Jecobian rule, the revolution  The revolution professed the noble ideas
turned to be bloody and violent. After that of liberty, equality, and fraternity while
Napoleon Bonaparte tactfully diverted it was far away from its implementation
revolution from the slogan of liberty and because it preferred limited franchise in
equality and moved it towards military place of universal adult suffrage.
conquest and imperialism. After Napoleon,
 The Declaration of the Rights of Man and
the Congress of Vienna tried to undo the
of the Citizen came into existence on
changes which had earlier been made by the
August 26, 1789, in which females were
revolution. So, a gap appeared between
excluded. In fact, the universal adult
promise and performance.
suffrage was acknowledged in the year
On this basis we find that for revolution 1946.
objective of democratization remained to be
 The French revolution remained
a distant dream. But still we can give some
unanswered to the question of relation
History By Manikant Singh 9
 between the middle class and the lower Therefore, we can say that although
class which was later answered by the French Revolution achieved less than but not
Russian revolution. far less than what it had intended to achieve.
Question: French Revolution failed to achieve Question- The French Revolution changed
what it intended to achieve. Do you agree? France as well as Europe. Examine.
Answer: It is undeniable that in course of Question Analysis- This question is
the French Revolution the gulf between 'Hypotheticle' in its nature. We have to proof the
promises and performance remained to be statement with proper logic and examples. Its
unbridged but still its significance cannot be keywords are 'France', 'Europe', 'changed',
undermined. 'examine'.
French Revolution started with lofty Answer- The geographical spread, intensity
democratic slogan of liberty, equality and and comprehensiveness of the French
fraternity but very soon it drifted from its Revolution proved to be very effective.
course. Then firstly it fell a prey to Jacobian Through this, the transformation of France
terror as a result of which the revolution as well as Europe from Medieval Age to
started to devour its own children and finally Modern Age became possible.
the revolution was hijacked by a military In France, this revolution gave death
Junta under Napoleon. Even in Europe what certificate to ancien regime. In the midst of
was offered in the name of the revolution was the revolution, France became republic after
nothing but merely the ideas of the abolishing the monarchy, feudalism came to
revolution. an end, Rights of Men and citizen were
But in spite of the limitations mentioned declared. In this way, France went far ahead
above we cannot underrate the extent of of Europe in the matter of ideology and
change brought by the revolution. In France, institutional development.
feudalism became a thing of the past. So, what was the revolution in France, that
Declaration of Rights of Men and citizen took the form of a war in Europe and this war
reflected the spirit of General will of Rousseau. brought a new revolution in Europe. In fact,
There started an era of popular participation wherever Napoleon went, they brought their
in politics. Outside of France, in Europe, the certain reforms. For example, he abolished
revolutionary ideals of liberalism and feudalism, put a check over the church and
nationalism worked as formidable forces of introduced the so-called Napoleonic code. So,
change. Even the Vienna order succumbed to the French Revolution turned into a European
these ideals which resurfaced in course of the Revolution. Further its impact was also seen
revolutions of 1830s and those of 1848. Last on other continents.
but not the least, the unification of Italy and Thus, the French Revolution changed
that of Germany was the victory of France and Europe both.
revolutionary ideas.

Food for Thought

 Why did the French Revolution prove to be more radical than the American Revolution?
 What were the reasons for the dominance of the lower class in the midst of the French
Revolution?
 Despite all the efforts, why did the lower class fail to establish its supremacy over the
revolution?
 Why did the French Revolution take the form of the European Revolution and what
impact did it have on Europe?
 Did Napoleon Bonaparte act as a harbinger of revolution or as a destroyer?
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History By Manikant Singh 10