French Revolution: 1789 – 93

The study deals with the French revolution. This is a vital turning point in world history. This was associated with rapid political, economical and socio-political changes in France. 

It began with the Estate general in 1789 and ended in the formation of French consulates around November 1799. During this phase, there was widespread distress in and around France.

This was evident from the rapid political unrest in France. This led to storming the Bastille; this further led to a lot of harsh measures by the assembly. These measures were the installation of the controlling power of the state over the Catholic Church. 

This also gave the needed right to vote. The rampant feudalism that was in existence in France also got abolished. There were various factors responsible for this revolution.

What was the French revolution?

The period of 1789 was important in France due to the advent of the revolution that changed the entire scenario of France, which came to be known as the French revolution. There was widespread unrest in France before the period; this is because the cost of the food substance was high. This was followed by other problems that dominated the entire landscape. 

The presence of absolute slavery, feudalism was another important factor that helped in igniting the fire of revolt and initiated the revolution, as described by historians. Finally, on May 5th, 1789, the revolution started due to the growing unrest and agitation among the common people. During this revolution, King Louis XVI was also executed.

The revolution led to the abolition of the feudal system, and the state also took over the control of the Catholic Church in France. The voting power and mechanism were established. During the next few years, the struggle went on for political control. This was accompanied by civil disorder and rampant economic instability. 

What are the reasons for the French revolution?

The French revolution occurred due to various factors. Historians cite various critical factors for its occurrence. These are

• The rampant social inequality is due to the presence of the estate system. The first estate of France was the clergy of Roman Catholicism, the second was the nobility of France, and the third was merchants, lawyers and others. 
• The burden of the tax was also heavy on the third estate. The tax on essential commodities like salt.
• The rapid rise in the bourgeoisie.
• The ideas ideated by notable philosophers also motivated and influenced the people for the change through revolution.
• France participated in various wars and it led to the financial crisis in France.  
• The bad weather pattern and the poor condition of the harvest also aggravated the problem of high rising food prices, and this encouraged the people to revolt. 
• The price of the food items went high and thus the absolute poor people died out of hunger and starvation. 
• The king during the time was King Louis XV and King Louis XVI; they were inefficient administrators and leaders. The latter was highly influenced by the queen Marie Antoinette who was reluctant to solve any problem of the common. 
• The needed reforms to recalibrate the tax system were also opposed and this also aggravated the problems. 
• The French monarch mostly led a lifestyle of luxury and extravagance. This was quite opposite to that of the starving commoners in France. This also led to the initiation of the revolution.  

Explain the effects of the French revolution

The French revolution had various impacts and effects in and around France that are quite relevant in world history. 

• The French revolution led to the end of the Bourbon rule in France. 
• The land ownership patterns also changed due to the revolution.
• The Church of French Catholics lost its powers and went under the state. 
• The ideas and ideologies regarding the best form of social and political control were also developed. 
• The revolution also led to the rise and awakening of nationalism. 
• The concept of liberalism was made popular.
• The framework of communism was done through the revolution. 
• The French revolution also inspired the Haitian revolution.
• The French revolution has been associated with the age of the revolution. 

Conclusion 

The French revolution is a very vital part of the study of world history. This is because it led to the dramatic change in the social condition of France. The political and socio-political changes also took place during the period as the studies reflected in the UK. 

The abolition of feudalism was witnessed during the period. The catholic church of France went under the controlling mechanism of the state. The right to cast a vote was also granted. In the period before the beginning of the French revolution, there was rampant hunger and poverty. The king and the queen were very reluctant to solve any practical issues. This led to widespread unrest in France. Historians cite various other important factors of the French revolution.