The French Revolution 1789

Origins of the Revolution

The French Revolution, as a historical milestone revolves around the violent yet progressive revolutionary movement that altered France between 1787 – 1799, reaching its first climax in 1789. This event distinguished the end of the ancient regime in France, hence gifting itself the conventional term “Revolution of 1789”. The French Revolution had causes common to other revolutions occurring in the West at the end of the 18th century, which further elucidates the reasons for it to be by far the most brutal and universally significant of these revolutions. The first of the general causes was the social structure of the West such as the ‘feudal regime’ which had been weakened, resulting in it gradually disappearing from parts of Europe.

The increasingly numerous and prosperous elite of wealthy commoners, merchants, manufacturers and professionals, often called the ‘bourgeoisie’ aspired to gain political power in the countries. The peasants, many of whom owned land, had attained an improved standard of living and education. Consequently, they wanted to get rid of the last vestiges of feudalism, in order to acquire the full rights of landowners and to be free to increase their holdings. Furthermore, from about 1730, higher standards of living had reduced the mortality rate among adults considerably. This together with other factors had led to an increase in the population of Europe, especially in France, which with 26 million inhabitants in 1789 was the most populated country of Europe, making the problem there more acute.

A larger population created a greater demand for food and consumer goods. The discovery of new gold mines in Brazil had led to a general rise in prices throughout the West from around 1730, indicating a prosperous economic status. From about 1770, this trend slackened resulting in economic crises provoking alarm and revolt, becoming frequent. Arguments for social reform began to advance. A revolution seemed necessary to apply the ideas of Montesquieu, Voltaire, or Jean-Jacques Rousseau. This Enlightenment was spread among the educated classes by the many “societies of thought” that were founded at the time: masonic lodges, agricultural societies, and reading rooms.

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 aware of their situation, while their will to support the anachronistic and burdensome feudal system, dwindled ; (3) the philosophies had been read more widely in France than anywhere else; (4) French participation in the American Revolution had driven the government to the brink of bankruptcy; (5) France was the most populous country in Europe and its crop failures in much of the country in 1788, topping a long period of economic difficulties, compounded the existing restlessness; and (6) the French monarchy, no longer seen as divinely ordained, was unable to adapt to the political and societal pressures that were being exerted on it.

The Storming of the Bastille

In 1794, the French Revolution entered its most violent phase. Under foreign invasion, the French Government declared a state of emergency and many foreigners residing in France were arrested. 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 the French and Haitian revolutions, had settled in American cities and remained politically active, setting up newspapers and agitating for their political causes. A French spy, Victor Collot, travelled through the United States in 1796, noting the weaknesses in its western border. The revolution in France was over, and while many Americans voters sympathized with the revolution in the abstract, they did not want the revolution’s most radical changes put into effect in the United States.

French Revolution’s Aftermath

The French Revolution had a major impact on Europe and the New World. Historians widely regard the Revolution as one of the most important events in European history. In the short-term, France lost thousands of its countrymen in the form of emigrants who wished to escape political tensions. A number of individuals settled in the neighbouring countries (Great Britain, Germany and Austria), while some settled in Russia and quite a few also went to the United States. The displacement of these Frenchmen led to a spread of French culture & policies regulating immigration.

The long-term impact on France was profound, re-shaping societal values, religious doctrines and political concepts for more than a century. The closer other countries were, the greater and deeper was the French impact, fathering liberalism while simultaneously bringing an end to many feudal/traditional laws and practices. The French revolution was testament to the fact that, impoverished communities once having realised the exploitation they are subject to, will always reach the brim of tolerance resulting in, ineluctable consequences.

Sources- Brittanica.com, History.com, Alternatehistory.com

Written By: Rtr. Adheeb Anwar, LLB, 2nd Year

Edited By: Rtr. Dulithi Jagoda, BSc. Econ and Finance, 3rd Year

Design By: Rtr. Christiana Perera, BSc. Data Science and Business Analytics, 2nd Year