how did the government of france change during the course of the revolution?

by Heaven Beahan 3 min read

During the course of the Revolution, France was changed from an absolute monarchy, to a republic of supposedly equal and free citizens. The effects of the French Revolution were widespread, both inside and outside of France, and impacted all of Europe.

Full Answer

How did the French Revolution change the world?

May 17, 2019 · The French Revolution: Great Changes in France. The French Revolution brought about great changes in the society and government of France. The revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1799, also had far-reaching effects on the rest of Europe. The revolution toppled the government, set up a republic, accelerated political strife under Napoleon who conveyed …

What type of government did the French Revolution have?

Sep 28, 2020 · What Was the French Revolution? The French Revolution can be reduced to three acts, where, in each, the existing political order fails and a new group struggles to assert authority and create a new political and social order. At the start of the first act, in 1789, the French state was bankrupt.

What was the political landscape of France during the French Revolution?

The four government of the French Revolution where the national assembly, the legislative assembly, the first republic and last but not least the directory. The national assembly- …

What is the French Revolution in short?

Nov 08, 2009 · The French Revolution was a watershed event in modern European history that began in 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the ascent of Napoleon Bonaparte. During this period, French citizens...

How did the government change during the French Revolution?

It put an end to the French monarchy, feudalism, and took political power from the Catholic church. It brought new ideas to Europe including liberty and freedom for the commoner as well as the abolishment of slavery and the rights of women.

What was the government during the French Revolution?

Monarchy. The form of government, common to most European countries at the time of the French Revolution, in which one king or queen, from a designated royal dynasty, holds control over policy and has the final say on all such matters.

Why was there a change in the course of the French Revolution?

Rising social and economic inequality, new political ideas emerging from the Enlightenment, economic mismanagement, environmental factors leading to agricultural failure, unmanageable national debt, and political mismanagement by King Louis XVI have all been cited as laying the groundwork for the Revolution.

What were the 3 causes for change in the French Revolution?

Although scholarly debate continues about the exact causes of the Revolution, the following reasons are commonly adduced: (1) the bourgeoisie resented its exclusion from political power and positions of honour; (2) the peasants were acutely aware of their situation and were less and less willing to support the ...

What kind of government did France have as a result of the French Revolution?

Second Republic, (1848–52) French republic established after the Revolution of 1848 toppled the July monarchy of King Louis-Philippe. (The first French republic had been formed during the French Revolution.) The liberal republicans' hopes of establishing an enduring democratic regime were soon frustrated.Apr 12, 2022

What changes were introduced after the French Revolution in France?

A centralised administrative system was put in place and it formulated uniform laws for all citizens within its territory. Internal custom duties and dues were abolished and a uniform system of weights and measures was adopted. Equality and liberty were realised by the French people. Censorship was abolished.Mar 27, 2020

What type of government did France have before the French Revolution?

monarchyBefore the Revolution France was a monarchy ruled by the king. The king had total power over the government and the people. The people of France were divided into three social classes called "estates." The First Estate was the clergy, the Second Estate was the nobles, and the Third Estate was the commoners.

What were two effects of the French Revolution in France?

The French Revolution had a great and far-reaching impact that probably transformed the world more than any other revolution. Its repercussions include lessening the importance of religion; rise of Modern Nationalism; spread of Liberalism and igniting the Age of Revolutions.Dec 13, 2018

What was the impact of the French Revolution on France and the world?

The Revolution unified France and enhanced the power of the national state. The Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars tore down the ancient structure of Europe, hastened the advent of nationalism, and inaugurated the era of modern, total warfare.

What caused the French government to get into so much debt?

Causes of debt The French Crown's debt was caused by both individual decisions, such as intervention in the American War of Independence and the Seven Years' War, and underlying issues such as an inadequate taxation system.

What were the 5 causes of the French revolution?

The causes can be narrowed to five main factors: the Estate System, Absolutism, ideas stemming from the Enlightenment, food shortages, and The American Revolution. The Estate System in France was essentially a caste system that ranked and placed people into groups based on wealth and power.

What was the main cause of the French revolution essay?

The French Revolution was caused by social, political and economic problems. People were in discontent with the king. The first two estates were privileged and the third was very unprivileged and had to pay heavy taxes. The third estate did not get along with the first two.Jul 22, 2021

What was the French Revolution?

The French Revolution ( French: Révolution française [ʁevɔlysjɔ̃ fʁɑ̃sɛːz]) was a period of fundamental political and societal change in France that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended in November 1799 with the formation of the French Consulate. Many of its ideas are considered fundamental principles of Western liberal democracy.

Which country was the first to adopt liberalizing reforms in line with the French Revolution?

The Kingdom of Denmark adopted liberalising reforms in line with those of the French Revolution, with no direct contact. Reform was gradual and the regime itself carried out agrarian reforms that had the effect of weakening absolutism by creating a class of independent peasant freeholders.

What is the estate general of 1789?

The Estates-General was divided into three parts; the First for members of the clergy, Second for the nobility, and Third for the "commons".

What happened in 1790?

By December 1790, the Brabant revolution had been crushed and Liège was subdued the following year. During the Revolutionary Wars, the French invaded and occupied the region between 1794 and 1814, a time known as the French period. The new government enforced new reforms, incorporating the region into France itself.

What country did the French invade?

The French invaded Switzerland and turned it into the " Helvetic Republic " (1798–1803), a French puppet state. French interference with localism and traditions was deeply resented in Switzerland, although some reforms took hold and survived in the later period of restoration.

What was the most controversial thing about the French Revolution?

One of the most heated controversies during the Revolution was the status of the Catholic Church. In 1788, it held a dominant position within society; to be French meant to be a Catholic. By 1799, much of its property and institutions had been confiscated and its senior leaders dead or in exile. Its cultural influence was also under attack, with efforts made to remove such as Sundays, holy days, saints, prayers, rituals and ceremonies. Ultimately these attempts not only failed but aroused a furious reaction among the pious; opposition to these changes was a key factor behind the revolt in the Vendée.

What colors did the French wear in 1789?

Cockades were widely worn by revolutionaries beginning in 1789. They now pinned the blue-and-red cockade of Paris onto the white cockade of the Ancien Régime. Camille Desmoulins asked his followers to wear green cockades on 12 July 1789. The Paris militia, formed on 13 July, adopted a blue and red cockade. Blue and red are the traditional colours of Paris, and they are used on the city's coat of arms. Cockades with various colour schemes were used during the storming of the Bastille on 14 July.

What was the French Revolution?

The French Revolution was a time of social and political upheaval in France and its colonies that began in 1789 and ended in 1799. Inspired by liberal and radical ideas, Its overthrow of the Monarchy influenced the decline of absolute Monarchies in other parts of Europe. This article will further elaborate on the causes and effects ...

What was Louis XVI's political position?

Political – The Bourbon king of France, Louis XVI was an extremely autocratic and weak-willed king who led a life of obscene luxury. This led to a lot of disenchantment among the masses who then were leading life of extreme poverty and widespread hunger.

What were the social conditions in France in the late 18th century?

Social – The social conditions in France in the late 18th century were extremely unequal and exploitative. The clergy and the nobility formed the first two Estates and were the most privileged classes in French society. They were exempt from payment of taxes to the State. On the other hand, the Third Estate that consisted of peasants and workers formed the majority of the population. They were burdened with excessive taxes with no political and social rights. As a result, they were extremely discontent.

What was the intellectual movement of the 18th century?

Intellectual – The 18th century was marked by a conscious refusal by French thinkers of the ‘Divine Rights Theory’. Philosophers like Rousseau rejected the paradigm of absolute monarchy and promulgated the doctrine of equality of man and sovereignty of people.

What happened to the National Assembly in 1789?

Speculations went around regarding an imminent military coup. This led to an insurgency which resulted in the taking of Bastille fortress on July 14, 1789.

What was the significance of the French Revolution?

For all its faults, the French Revolution is highly regarded as the turning point in modern history as the rise of new ideas steeped in liberalism, enlightenment and democracy.

What was the French involvement in the American Revolution of 1776?

The French involvement in the American revolution of 1776 was a costly affair that left the country in a state of near bankruptcy. King Louis’s extravagant spending also did not help matters.

When did France become a republic?

Two days later, they declared France a republic and marked the first day of Year I of the French Republican calendar. The Republican calendar, sometimes referred to as the Revolutionary calendar, officially replaced the Gregorian calendar — the one used by most Westerners, today — and was in general use for over twenty years.

What was the name of the group that organized the French Revolution?

Act two starts, and the radical Revolutionaries — a loose grouping of radical lawyers, writers, and politicians calling themselves Jacobins — enter the stage. In August of 1792, Jacobins and sans-culottes organized and executed an insurrection in Paris, overthrowing the Monarchy and establishing the French Republic.

How many Jacobins were in the Legislative Assembly?

They were overwhelmingly drawn from the educated middle classes, and many had gained experience in local politics through the Revolution. Of the 745 deputies, only 136 were Jacobins — but they were by far the most talented leaders and orators. Far more, 264, belonged to the moderate Feuillant Club.

How old was Louis Antoine de Saint-Just?

Louis Antoine de Saint-Just entered Revolutionary politics as a 25 year-old deputy to the Legislative Assembly. He was a dedicated Jacobin and follower of Robespierre, and cultivated an image of Revolutionary purity — preferring his long black hair to a powdered wig, and often pairing that with a single golden earring. During the Convention’s debate on the fate of the king, Saint-Just argued that to provide the king with a trial presupposed the possibility of his innocence, which in turn put into question the Revolution of August 10th that had established the legitimacy of the Republic and the authority of the National Convention.

What was the mood in Paris in 1789?

The mood of Paris was tense in the summer of 1789. The price of bread — always a reliable measurement of the mood of the Parisian public — was rising. In early June, workers had rioted and burned down a wallpaper manufactory after rumors circulated that the owner wanted to cut wages. And, on June 30th, a crowd of 4,000 young men demolished the gates of a prison with the goal of liberating eleven French Guards accused of being members of a secret society.

What percentage of French people were peasants?

They were peasants, day-laborers, small craftsmens, peddlers, artisans, and shopkeepers. Peasants accounted for 80% of the French population; only one fifth of people lived in communities of more than two-thousand people. Poverty was ever present in urban and rural life.

What did the commoners do in 1789?

What he got instead was a revolution. The commoners declared themselves the “National Assembly,” and in July of 1789 the people of Paris stormed the Bastille — a prison fortress and symbol of Royal power in the heart of the city, beginning a decade of social and political upheaval.

What was the first government of the French Revolution?

The four government of the French Revolution where the national assembly, the legislative assembly, the first republic and last but not least the directory. The national assembly- Was the first government of the French revolution it was created in 1789-1791.

What was the fourth and final government?

Soon thought the Master mind of the Terror Robespierre was overthrown and executed. That was the start of the end of the first Republic. The Directory- Was the fourth and final government it lasted for four ye. ars from November of 1795 to November of 1799. It contained an upper house and a lower house.

How many delegates were in the lower house of the Council of Five Hundred?

ars from November of 1795 to November of 1799. It contained an upper house and a lower house. The lower house the Council of five hundred contained 500 delegates 30 years of over. Who proposed legislative for the government.

Why was the National Assembly created?

It was created by the third estate because they were mad about the unfair tax laws. Due to them being the only estate that had to pay taxes when they where already poor.

When did the First Republic execute King Louis XVI?

The First Republic executed King Louis XVI in January of 1793. Between 1793 and 1794 the First Republic killed thousand of people under the name of the Committee of Public Safety, Just b ecause they where Royalists and support. ed King Louis.

How many members were in the first legislative assembly?

The legislative assembly first meet in October 1 1791 and i. t contained 745 members. Most of the members had previous experience. because most of them where apart of the National assembly before it disbanded. But 330 of the members where members of the secretive Jacobin Club. The First Republic- Was the third government ...

What did the Jacobins do in 1793?

In June 1793, the Jacobins seized control of the National Convention from the more moderate Girondins and instituted a series of radical measures, including the establishment of a new calendar and the eradication of Christianity.

What was the first bicameral legislature in France?

On August 22, 1795, the National Convention, composed largely of Girondins who had survived the Reign of Terror, approved a new constitution that created France’s first bicameral legislature. Executive power would lie in the hands of a five-member Directory ( Directoire) appointed by parliament.

What happened to France during the American Revolution?

As the 18th century drew to a close, France’s costly involvement in the American Revolution, and extravagant spending by King Louis XVI and his predecessor, had left the country on the brink of bankruptcy.

What was the challenge of the National Constituent Assembly?

Drafting a formal constitution proved much more of a challenge for the National Constituent Assembly, which had the added burden of functioning as a legislature during harsh economic times. For months, its members wrestled with fundamental questions about the shape and expanse of France’s new political landscape.

What was the name of the agrarian revolt that led to the end of feudalism?

Known as the Great Fear ( la Grande peur ), the agrarian insurrection hastened the growing exodus of nobles from the country and inspired the National Constituent Assembly to abolish feudalism on August 4, 1789, signing what the historian Georges Lefebvre later called the “death certificate of the old order.”.

What happened on June 12th?

On June 12, as the National Assembly (known as the National Constituent Assembly during its work on a constitution) continued to meet at Versailles, fear and violence consumed the capital.

What was the name of the organization that proclaimed the abolition of the monarchy?

The following month, amid a wave of violence in which Parisian insurrectionists massacred hundreds of accused counterrevolutionaries, the Legislative Assembly was replaced by the National Convention, which proclaimed the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the French republic.

How many memers were there in the 3rd estate?

There were 600 memers of the third estate and 300 each of the first and second estates. When Louis XVI rejected the proposal of the third estate, they walked out of the Estates-General. A few weeks later, the third estate declared themselves to be the National Assembly.

Why did Louis XVI convene the Estates General?

In desperation, Louis XVI convened the Estates-General (the French Assembly) on May 5, 1789, so that it would grant him the required amount of money. In the past, voting in the Estates-General had been conducted on the principle that each estate would have one vote.

What was the burden of taxes on the third estate?

But these taxpayers had no political rights. The condition of the artisans, peasants and workmen was miserable. The peasants had to work for long hours and pay separate taxes to the Crown , to the clergy and to the nobility.

What was the influence of the French Revolution?

It was the first great uprising of the people against the autocracy of the ruler. It generated ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity which crossed the boundaries of France and influenced whole of Europe.

What were the social conditions of France?

The social conditions of France were as distressing as its political organisation. French society was divided into three classes or estates. The privileged class comprising the clergy and the aristocracy formed the first estate and the second estate respectively.

What is the third estate?

The third estate comprised the common people. It consisted of middle class people, peasants, artisans, workers and agricultural labourers. Even the rich middle class, consisting of merchants, factory owners etc., fell in this category. The entire burden of taxation fell on the third estate.

How did the French Revolution affect Europe?

It generated ideas of liberty, equality and fraternity which crossed the boundaries of France and influenced whole of Europe. The revolution not only changed the political, social and economic life of the people but also affected the entire course of world history.

Why did Domat write on social order and absolute monarchy?

Therefore, his duty was to help people realize that King Louis XIV is a great leader, and that the new government is a change going towards the right direction. Since he worked under the king, he wrote “On Social Order and Absolute Monarchy” knowing that he would be able to convince France to accept not only their new king, but the absolute monarchy government. He proved to be very successful once this was read by his attended audience.

How did Napoleon Bonaparte impact Europe?

Napoleon Bonaparte had a positive impact on France and Europe due to the military, political and economic stability he restored to France , the laws he put in place, the reforms he introduced to the European countries he conquered and his improvement of the education system. After a time of uncertainty in France brought about by ...

Why did the French believe Napoleon was important?

The French people viewed Napoleon favorably, as his military and political genius would likely lead to the creation of a prosperous and united France. Moreover, they believed that he would uphold the ideas they had fought for during the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity.

What did Napoleon do to help France?

Napoleon spread enlightenment ideas that benefited the people in France. He created the Napoleonic code, which was basically the first written document of laws. That meant that the judge could not change anything, but the laws applied to all citizens equally and protected their rights.

What was Napoleon's influence on France?

Napoleon Bonaparte had a positive impact on France and Europe due to the military, political and economic stability he restored ...

How did Louis XIV rule France?

During the age of absolutism, Louis XIV also known as, the “Sun King” became the ruler of France through the theory of divine right, which allowed him to rule his people as an absolute ruler. He controlled his people by implementing a centralized government and forcing the 3rd estate to pay unfair taxes.

Why was Stonewall Jackson promoted to Major General?

After that battle, Stonewall jackson was promoted to major general because of his tactics and great quick thinking while fighting on the battlefront. The Valley of virginia was started by stonewall jackson in spring. It was a campaign he started and he helped defend some of the western virginia parts from the union. After stonewall jackson had very many victories he was ordered to join General Robert E. Lee's forces in 1862. Stonewall jackson had made up and organized many successful military fighting tactics at the battles he had fought.

What was the impact of the French Revolution on American politics?

American political debate over the nature of the French Revolution exacerbated pre-existing political divisions and resulted in the alignment of the political elite along pro-French and pro-British lines.

How long did the French Revolution last?

The French Revolution lasted from 1789 until 1799. The Revolution precipitated a series of European wars, forcing the United States to articulate a clear policy of neutrality in order to avoid being embroiled in these European conflicts. The French Revolution also influenced U.S. politics, as pro- and anti- Revolutionary factions sought ...

Why did the Alien and Sedition Acts backfire?

However, the Alien and Sedition Acts, originally intended to prevent a growth in pro-French sentiment , actually backfired for the Federalists.

What was the most violent phase of the French Revolution?

In 1794, the French Revolution entered its most violent phase, the Terror. Under foreign invasion, the French Government had declared a state of emergency, and many foreigners residing in France were arrested, including American revolutionary pamphleteer Thomas Paine, owing to his British birth.

What happened after Louis XVI was executed?

After French King Louis XVI was tried and executed on January 21, 1793, war with Great Britain and Spain was inevitable, and the two powers joined Austria and other European powers in the war against Revolutionary France that had already started in 1791.

What did the Americans hope would happen to the Franco-American alliance?

Americans hoped that the existing Franco-American alliance would be solidified by democratic reforms that would transform France into a republican ally against aristocratic and monarchical Britain.

When did Paine's arrests end?

Once the Terror ended in late July of 1794, the arrests ended, and Paine, who had been scheduled to be executed, was released. Although the French Revolution had ended its radical phase, Federalists in the United States remained wary of revolutionary ideology infiltrating the United States. Many French citizens, refugees from ...

image

Overview

Long-term impact

The French Revolution had a major impact on European and Western history, by ending feudalism and creating the path for future advances in broadly defined individual freedoms. Its impact on French nationalism was profound, while also stimulating nationalist movements throughout Europe. Modern historians argue the concept of the nation state was a direct consequence of the Revolution.

Causes

The underlying causes of the French Revolution are generally seen as arising from the failure of the Ancien Régime to manage social and economic inequality. Rapid population growth and the inability to adequately finance government debt resulted in economic depression, unemployment and high food prices. Combined with a regressive tax system and resistance to reform by the ruling el…

Crisis of the Ancien Régime

The French state faced a series of budgetary crises during the 18th century, caused primarily by structural deficiencies rather than lack of resources. Unlike Britain, where Parliament determined both expenditures and taxes, in France, the Crown controlled spending, but not revenue. National taxes could only be approved by the Estates-General, which had not sat since 1614; its revenue fun…

Constitutional monarchy (July 1789 – September 1792)

Even these limited reforms went too far for Marie Antoinette and Louis' younger brother the Comte d'Artois; on their advice, Louis dismissed Necker again as chief minister on 11 July. On 12 July, the Assembly went into a non-stop session after rumours circulated he was planning to use the Swiss Guardsto force it to close. The news brought crowds of protestors into the streets, and soldiers of …

First Republic (1792–1795)

In late August, elections were held for the National Convention; voter restrictions meant those cast fell to 3.3 million, versus 4 million in 1791, while intimidation was widespread. The former Brissotins now split into moderate Girondins led by Brissot, and radical Montagnards, headed by Maximilien Robespierre, Georges Danton and Jean-Paul Marat. While loyalties constantly shifted, around 160 of t…

Directory (1795–1799)

The Directory has a poor reputation amongst historians; for Jacobin sympathisers, it represented the betrayal of the Revolution, while Bonapartists emphasised its corruption to portray Napoleonin a better light. Although these criticisms were certainly valid, it also faced internal unrest, a stagnating economy and an expensive war, while hampered by the impracticality of the co…

French Revolutionary Wars

The Revolution initiated a series of conflicts that began in 1792 and ended only with Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815. In its early stages, this seemed unlikely; the 1791 Constitution specifically disavowed "war for the purpose of conquest", and although traditional tensions between France and Austria re-emerged in the 1780s, Emperor Josephcautiously welcomed the reforms. Aust…

French Revolution of 1789 – Background

  • The French involvement in the American revolution of 1776was a costly affair that left the country in a state of near bankruptcy. King Louis’s extravagant spending also did not help matters. Empty royal coffers, poor harvests and rise in food prices had created feelings of unrest among the poor rural and urban populace. The matter was further worsened by the imposition of taxes that provi…
See more on byjus.com

Causes of French Revolution of 1789

  1. Social– The social conditions in France in the late 18th century were extremely unequal and exploitative. The clergy and the nobility formed the first two Estates and were the most privileged class...
  2. Economic– As a result of numerous wars waged by Louis XVI the State coffers were empty. The situation was made even more complex by France’s involvement in the American War of …
  1. Social– The social conditions in France in the late 18th century were extremely unequal and exploitative. The clergy and the nobility formed the first two Estates and were the most privileged class...
  2. Economic– As a result of numerous wars waged by Louis XVI the State coffers were empty. The situation was made even more complex by France’s involvement in the American War of Independence and the...
  3. Political– The Bourbon king of France, Louis XVI was an extremely autocratic and weak-willed king who led a life of obscene luxury. This led to a lot of disenchantment among the masses who then wer...
  4. Intellectual– The 18th century was marked by a conscious refusal by French thinkers of the ‘…

Stages of French – Revolution

  • Stage I – The meeting of the Estates-General
    Despite the non-aristocratic members outnumbering the aristocrats in terms of population. Yet, they could be outvoted by the other two bodies. Before the meeting of the Estates-General on May 5, members of the Third Estate (as the non-aristocratic class was known) began to mobilise the …
  • Stage II – The French Revolution Begins
    The National Assembly continued to meet at Versailles. In the meantime, fear and violence had consumed Paris. Speculations went around regarding an imminent military coup. This led to an insurgency which resulted in the taking of Bastille fortress on July 14, 1789. This event marked t…
See more on byjus.com