Change Brought about from the French Revolution
Change Brought about from the French Revolution
In tracing the course of the French Revolution, the patterns of the events as a whole seem to follow specific patterns that can be classified into three separate divisions chronologically. "Revolutions evolve in definite phases. At first they are moderate in scope, then they become radical to excess and finally they are brought to abrupt conclusions by the emergence of a strong man to restore order."
The Revolution brought about great changes in the society and government of France. The revolution itself lasted from 1789 to 1799; it significantly affected the rest of the European front as well. The French Revolution promoted democratic ideals for France, however did not make the nation a democracy. It ended supreme rule by French kings and strengthened the middle class. Following the birth of the revolution, no European kings, nobles, or other members of the aristocracy could take their powers for granted or ignore the ideals of liberty and equality. The revolution began with a government financial crisis but quickly became a movement of reform and violent change.
During the first observable phase of the revolution, events seemed minor and proceeded in a logical fashion. One of the principle reasons the revolution was established was the discontent among the lower and middle classes in France. By law, society was divided in to three groups called estates. The first estate consisted of the clergy, the second estate of the nobility, and the third estate was comprised of commoners.
The third estate, which made up 98 percent of the population of France, was highly underrepresented. In terms of the Estates General the separate Estates were to vote separately and by order; the third estate would almost always be outvoted by the first estate and the second estate which would get to vote first. Because of this, the third estate wanted its traditional number of representatives to be doubled so that it matched the other two orders put together. The third estate resented certain advantages of the first two estates. The clergy and nobles did not have to pay many taxes imposed on the commoners. The third estate, especially the peasants, had to provide almost all the country's tax revenue. Many members of the middle class were also worried by their social status. They were...