Causes and Stages of the French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution

• The French peasantry faced heavy taxation and feudal obligations, lacking political representation.
• The French aristocracy held significant land and privileges, but were largely exempt from taxation.
• The French crown, while holding absolute power, was perceived as inefficient and corrupt.
• Widespread famine and poor harvests, exacerbated by poor weather, led to significant hardship.
• Enlightenment ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity challenged the existing social order.
• Inequality in the social structure, with the rigid Three Estates system, fuelled discontent.
• France faced a severe financial crisis, worsened by extravagant royal spending.

Stages of the French Revolution

• The Moderate Phase (1789-1792):
  • The storming of the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority, initiated the revolution.
  • The National Assembly created the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, defining fundamental rights.
  • Feudalism was abolished, ending aristocratic privileges.
  • A constitutional monarchy limited the king's power.
• The Radical Phase (1792-1794):
  • The execution of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette marked a shift towards a republic.
  • Radical groups, like the Jacobins, gained control.
  • The Reign of Terror, characterized by mass executions of perceived enemies, was overseen by Maximilien Robespierre.
  • The Committee of Public Safety centralized government, consolidating authority.
• The Thermidorian Reaction (1794-1795):
  • The Reign of Terror concluded with Robespierre's execution.
  • The Directory, a new government, was established, marked by political instability and corruption.

Key Figures

• Louis XVI: French King, overthrown and executed during the revolution.
• Marie Antoinette: Queen of France, executed alongside her husband.
• Maximilien Robespierre: Prominent Jacobin leader, driving force behind the Reign of Terror.
• Georges Danton: Prominent Jacobin leader, who played a role in the revolutionary government, but later fell out of favor with Robespierre.

Outcomes of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution reshaped the political landscape of Europe.
• The abolition of feudalism and declaration of human rights were significant achievements.
• The political system transitioned from a monarchy to a republic.
• The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte and the subsequent wars considerably impacted European history.
• Revolutionary ideas spread across Europe.
• France experienced substantial social and political change.
• The revolution influenced other global revolutionary movements.

Impact of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution drastically transformed French society and governance.
• The revolution sparked similar movements in Europe, fostering the spread of revolutionary ideals and the drive for democratic reforms.
• The revolution laid the groundwork for modern European nationalism.
• The ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity continue to shape political thought today.
• The revolution significantly impacted the balance of power in Europe.
• The revolution introduced new political ideologies, influencing the development of modern political institutions.