The French Revolution is reasonably deemed one of the most significant events not only in the history of France but also in the whole world. The French Revolution began in 1787 and continued until the end of the century. The causes of the movement were numerous, and its consequences were felt far beyond France’s borders. Over the decades of the rebellious movement, the course and the main characters of the revolution shifted numerous times, but the fundamental purpose persisted uninterrupted. People fearlessly fought for justice, fraternity, and a chance for a decent future.
Prerequisites for the Rebellion
As is frequently the case on the verge of revolutions, France was unfortunate with the king. Louis XVI was never marked by efficient state actions or rational governing. Continuous economic struggles steadily persisted in the country; the nobility and the court were spending colossal financiers on palaces, entertainment, and senseless wars. Money to the state treasury came from the dependent bourgeois and the Third Estate consisting of peasants, who increasingly felt pressure and financial shortage. Rising unemployment, enormous taxes, and an unfair voting system that left no chance of fair recognition for the common citizens pushed the Third Estate to secede. They proclaimed themselves the National Assembly and urged all other States how they would fight to the end. Later, they were united by the liberal-minded part of the bourgeoisie and the clergy, who also demanded changes in the ossified monarchical system. Louis set a condition before the Assembly: either they traditionally voted with the separate Estates and accepted tax reforms, or he would dissolve them. The Assembly did not surrender to the threats of the conservatives and soon stormed the Bastille, which resembled the core of monarchical authority.
Controversial Consequences of the French Revolution
Following events turned out to be contradictory for the Parisians. On July 15, a ruthless reprisal against the conservative nobility began. The church and the clergy stopped stifling the citizens with taxes. The clergy was advocated to retire to worldly life, and their lands were sold to improve the economic situation in the country. Low-paid workers were free to leave their employer without paying any charges; all citizens had the freedom of choice and speech. Immediately after the overthrow of the Bastille, the Declaration of Human and Citizen Rights was signed. The document was supposed to protect human freedoms but at the same time imposed severe restrictions on vulnerable sectors of society, including women and servants. From 1789 to 1792, the whole of France was shaken by the contradicting actions of Monarchists and the National Party. Some were dissatisfied with the revolutionaries and the incompleteness of their reforms, others with excessive radicalism. The nearby monarchies did not want the spread of revolutionary free-thinking and raised their weapons against France. The leaders of the revolution themselves were too busy fighting each other and neglected the initial idea of unity and equality.
Conclusion
The French Revolution is a controversial event in the country’s history but unquestionably one of the most powerful. It settled the ultimate idea of France’s liberation from the oppression of the monarchy and the indifference of the church. The path to freedom was rather bloody and radical, even to its allies. Multiple directions of movement entered into confrontation, sometimes overlooking a shared goal. However, it was the French Revolution that became the offset point for freedom, equality, and fraternity of people.