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The French Revolution caused some very positive ramification to the society in France and other parts of Europe. Some people believe that the French revolution did more harm than good for society. However, others believe the positive affects of this revolt far outweigh the negative affects. The French Revolution not only positively affected European society right after the revolt but, to this day, some positive affects remain in France, as well as many other societies in countries around the world.
Such countries include Canada, Italy, and Germany. Some benefits of the French Revolution included such changes as setting a higher standard of living amongst all people in these countries, and allowing anyone, rather than just nobles, to hold a position in a high public office. The actions of the people of the French Revolution resulted in many positive contributions to many societies. They unleashed new forces, destroyed old ideas, and offered new promises. In my opinion, the most positive results of the French Revolution were the development of democracy and equality, as well as nationalism. Life in many societies is very different today than it was in France and the rest of Europe prior to the French Revolution.
European society was extremely unequal and definitely undemocratic. One of the things that contributed to this inequality and undemocratic lifestyle in Europe was the absolute monarchies that controlled the societies. An absolute monarch was a leader of a country who had total domination over his country. The absolute monarch ruled by Divine Right of Kings, which meant the King was put there by God. The people had no say in what the monarch did. It was a hereditary rule so only another member of the Royal family could take over the position as monarch.
Another key point that contributed to the inequality within the society of France was the Old Regime. The Old Regime was a class system called the Estates General. It consisted of the 1 st Estate, 2 nd Estate, and the 3 rd Estate. The 1 st estate was made up of 0. 5 % of the population. This estate was made up of the higher nobles, which included the clergy, who were very privileged and wealthy. They paid no taxes.
The clergy owned 70 % of the land. The 2 nd Estate made up 1. 5 % of the population, and was made up of noblemen. These men usually held a high position in offices in the army or church. Like the 1 st, these nobles also enjoyed many privileges and were very wealthy. They only had to pay a few taxes, and owned 20 % of the land. The 3 rd Estate, the largest of the estates, was made up of 98 % of the population.
This group included the bourgeoisie, peasants, and city workers. This group had no privileges at all. They had to pay a burden of taxes. These people lived in near poverty, and owned less than 10 % of the land. Whenever the Estates met together to discuss political issues, such as equality in taxes and privileges, the 3 rd Estate would always be outvoted by the 1 st and 2 nd Estate.
The 1 st and 2 nd Estate liked the conditions as they were, since the 1 st estate did not have to pay taxes and the 2 nd Estate paid next to nothing for taxes along with the great privileges. This inequality caused a lot of unrest among the 3 rd Estate. During these times there was a growing economic crisis as well. King Louis XVI was incompetent and had bankrupted France by continuing to war with England, in the American War of Independence. On top of an unequal taxing system, mercantilism was practiced, which meant no free trade with other countries. So more taxes, on top of their heavy tax burden, had to be paid if the poor wanted to sell their products.
What made matters worse for the 3 rd Estate, was that they had suffered poor crops and the price of grain was fixed. Ninety-eight percent of the population now lived in near poverty. The people were angry and wanted change so these conditions brought on the Revolution and positive changes to many societies followed. Immediately after the Revolution, life became more equal and democratic. One way it became more equal and democratic was that the 3 rd Estate declared itself the National Assembly.
They were tired of not being treated as equals to the 1 st and 2 nd Estate. Soon after that, the 3 rd Estate (National Assembly) and many members from the first and second estates, sat down at was is known as the Tennis Court Oath, to write a constitution making everyone as equal as possible. During the writing of the constitution, the rebellious public of France also stormed the Bastille, a prison which symbolized royal oppression, to show the King the people were not happy with society as it was. The National Assembly began political reforms such as, the end of Feudalism because Nobles renounced their feudal claims, and new democratic ideas began.
Some of the new ideas included, that nobles be taxed, nobles must give up their hunting rights, serfdom must end, and all male citizens were eligible for government and church positions. Another thing the National Assembly did to make things more equal was, pass the Declaration of the Right of Man, a document which gave rights such as liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It also gave rights such as freedom of the press and freedom of religion. The Declaration, gave man more equalities for all citizens under the law and protection of personal property. Other reforms the National Assembly made, effected economics, finances, religion, politics, and justice. By October, 1791 the National Assembly had changed France into a limited monarchy: the absolute monarchy was abolished and France was proclaimed a republic government instead of the hereditary rule.
In 1791, the National Assembly ended and a Legislative Assembly was formed. The constitution made by the National Assembly established a system of separation of powers. The King was the head of the executive branch and legislature made the laws. If the King did not like a law he could veto it but legislature could still say no to his veto. A judicial branch was also set up as a new system of courts. These were just a few of the immediate affects raised from the French Revolution.
Today in Canada, society experiences many positive results due to the French Revolution. The Canadian constitution has a limited monarchy, and the country has a democratic government. There is equality for all citizens under law and protection of personal property. Canada has a progressive tax system, which means, the more income you make, the higher your taxes are. Canada also has a legislative assembly, with the three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Canada also has a Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which include freedom of speech, religion, equal in the eyes of the law, and the right to hold public offices.
Canada, as well as other countries, has become a nationalized country and many of the nationalistic ideas within this country rose from the French Revolution. Nationalism within these countries, is the feeling of pride, in its culture and history, and devotion to one s own country. The revolution has made people feel more loyalty to their country, and they were and still are willing to fight for it. Patriotism became popular amongst the people.
Symbols began to appear with this loyalty and patriotism. For example, when Louis XVI rode into France he wore red, white, and blue ribbon that the revolutionaries adopted as their symbol. Today, the strips on France s flag are red, white, and blue. People began to unite for common causes. This unification increases the standard of living and creates an identity for that country. The people in these nationalistic groups believe that they have the right to form it s own state.
This leads to self determination. For example, in Western Europe, new feelings of nationalism united the Italians and then the Germans. They were both still divided into many states before the revolution. After the French Revolution, the people of Italy and Germany combined all their states to form their own individual country.
They both wanted to be independent and unified. The roots of Italian and German nationalism spread from the French revolution with its ideal of people being liberal, equal, and united. The French Revolution definitely contributed greatly to the life of the people in France as well as people in other parts of Europe. Its ideals are also benefited by many Canadians today.
There were immediate affects as well as positive long term affects resulting because of the French Revolution. Between the years of 1789 and 1799, French life changed dramatically because of the revolution. The absolute monarchies disappeared and the Kings no longer ruled. The National Assembly abolished all feudal customs and ended serfdom. Constitutions were developed that brought about many positive changes in many societies. Democracy, equality, and nationalism were results of the French Revolution.
It gave people the idea that if they tried, they could reorganize a society whenever it was needed. The greatest legacy of the French Revolution, however, was that the people could change anything they wanted with political ideas, words, and laws. The French Revolution allowed people in France, and many other countries, Liberty, equality, and fraternity. Bibliography Books: -Beers, Burton F. World History. Patterns of Civilization. -The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Book F, page 452, French Revolution.
World Book Inc. Chicago 1984. -The World Book Encyclopedia, Volume 7, Book N-O, page 53, Nationalism. World Book Inc. Chicago 1984. Internet: web web web revolution. web real / rev .
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