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French Revolutions I. The French revolution is often considered the beginning of the new period in the world history. The revolution was the part of revolutionary movement that started before 1789 and influenced the majority of countries both in Europe and all over the world. The ancient regime (ancien regime) was not democratic in the loose sense of the word. There were three main Estates: The Roman Catholic Clergy (the First Estate), the Nobility (the second estate) and the remainder of the people (the third estate).
The first and the second estates enjoyed special privileges. They strengthened their positions and were based on the system of various kinds of state institutions. The monarch relied on these privileged estates. Absolute monarchy carried out policies and reforms that were aimed to strengthen positions of the clergy and the nobility. In 1770 s aristocracy felt pressure from the side of monarchs-reformers (in France, Sweden and Austria). At the same time, the third estate strived to liquidate or, at least, to limit privileges of the clergy and the nobility.
Constant struggle between these three estates, the failure of economic reform, debts, food scarcity, resentment of manorialism, royal absolutism, clerical privileges, and unsuccessful financial policy contributed to the revolution. II. French revolution is generally divided into several phases. Phase 1: The National Assembly. In June 1789 the Third Estate declared itself a National Assembly. It was the beginning of the French Revolution.
Louis undertook attempts to disband the National Assembly and sent to the Third Estate Declaration (June 23, 1789). According to this Declaration the ancient distinction of three orders of the State was intended to be preserved in its entirety, and the National Assembly to be considered unconstitutional and illegal. The Third Estate refused to follow Louis order. The French revolution began.
During 1789 - 1791 the National Assembly reformed the French government. In 1791 the Constitution establishes a short-lived constitutional monarchy. Phase 2: Reign of Terror. The Reign of terror (September 5, 1973 July 28, 1794) is the period characterized by brutal repression. The goal of la Terror was to defend the ideas of the French Revolution, to destroy conspirators and internal enemies, and to chase the external enemies from French territories. Civil liberties were suspended to a great extent.
The Revolution had great impact on economical and social areas. In 1792 the monarchy was overthrown and the new republic was created. The king was massacred in 1793. This period is also known as the radical phase of the Revolution. Phase 3: Directory.
The Directory held executive power in France (November 2, 1795 November 10, 1799). The Directory consisted of 250 senators and 500 representatives. During 1795 - 1799 the Directory undertook a number of attempts to stabilize political situation in France. Phase 4: Age of Napoleon. This phase is often considered the phase of the First Empire. In 1804 Napoleon became an Emperor and created authoritarian state with hereditary monarchy.
In 1814 Napoleon was defeated and sent to Elba. Bourbon dynasty was restored. In 1815 Napoleon Bonaparte returned but his period of power was quite short. He was sent into exile to St Helena, where he died. III.
Napoleon Bonaparte came to power in 1804 in result of revolutionary turnover. In 1700 crisis of power reached its apogee when napoleon was in Egypt. Corrupted Directory was unable to control the situation. When Napoleon returned from Egypt, he proclaimed regime of council (November 9, 1799). He drafted the Constitution and was proclaimed the First Council. Napoleon became the most influential person in France.
In 1804 he proclaimed himself an Emperor. IV. Napoleons major accomplishments were as follows: he established an order in France, undertook measures to eliminate corruption, established administrative power, drafted new Constitution, regulated financial problems (state budget, etc), established French bank, reached social compromise (the return of emigrants, etc), signed peace treaties with all countries-participants of anti-French coalitions, created Civil codex, signed concordat with Papa, to mention a few. Napoleon Bonaparte revealed himself a governor capable to establish an order in the country. His military and political actions had great impact on Europe. By the end of Napoleons period France no longer had great influence on Europe as is had since the times of Louis XIV.
The French Revolution brought its ideas to other countries (abolition of privileges, due process in courts, democracy, to mention a few). A new powerful movement (Nationalism) appeared. The United Kingdom became the most influential country in the world. V. In 1812 Napoleon started the war with Russia that ended in defeat. The European countries united against French army and Napoleon had to retreat.
In 1814 his marshals stopped the struggle. In result the Treaty of Fontanbleau Napoleon was sent into exile to Elba, On February, 26 1815 Napoleon escaped from the island and returned to Paris. There he proclaimed more democratic constitution and his old followers supported him. Napoleon governed for a Hundred Days. His next step was the Belgium military campaign, where he was defeated by Blucher and the Duke of Wellington at Waterloo (June 18, 1815). Napoleon tried to escape to the United States but in vain.
He was imprisoned and exiled by the British to St. Helena, where he died on May 5, 1821. What concerns his death, Napoleons personal physician considered a stomach cancer the reason for Napoleons death. There is a version that Napoleon was killed by arsenic poisoning. Works Cited: Answers. com.
Napoleon Bonaparte. Retrieved December 10, 2006. web MSN Encarta. Napoleon I. Retrieved December 10, 2006.
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