Analysis of the French Revolution

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Analysis of the French Revolution

      "Revolutions evolve in definite phases. At first they are

moderate in scope, then they become radical to excess and finally they

are brought to abrupt conclusions by the emergence of a strong man to

restore order." Discuss this statement with specific references to the

French Revolution.

      The French Revolution brought about great changes in the society

and government of France. The revolution, which lasted from 1789 to

1799, also had far-reaching effects on the rest of Europe. "It

introduced democratic ideals to France but did not make the nation a

democracy. However, it ended supreme rule by French kings and

strengthened the middle class." (Durant, 12) After the revolution

began, no European kings, nobles, or other members of the aristocracy

could take their powers for granted or ignore the ideals of liberty

and equality.

      The revolution began with a government financial crisis but

quickly became a movement of reform and violent change. In one of the

early events, a crowd in Paris captured the Bastille, a royal fortress

and hated symbol of oppression. A series of elected legislatures then

took control of the government. King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie

Antoinette, were executed. Thousands of others met the same fate in a

period known as the Reign of Terror. The revolution ended when

Napoleon Bonaparte, a French general, took over the government.

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      At the beginning of the revolution, events seemed minor and

proceeded in a logical fashion. One of the reasons the revolution

originated was the discontent among the lower and middle classes in

France. By law, society was divided in to three groups called estates.

The first estate was made of up clergy, nobles comprised the second

and the rest of the citizens, the third estate.

      The third estate resented certain advantages of the first two

estates. The clergy and nobles did not have to pay most taxes. ...

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