The French Revolution of 1789-1799: Causes, Effects, Winners and Losers - Essay Example

? THE FRENCH REVOLUTION OF 1789-1799: CAUSES, EFFECTS, WINNERS AND LOSERS By: of the Introduction and Overview The French Revolution of 1789-1799 brought about socio-economic and political changes. The revolution also had a far-fetched aftermath to the Entire Europe. The decade-long battle of supremacy led to the introduction of democracy and political ideologies in France. However, despite all these democratic spaces and ideas, French as a nation did no endure any democracy but monarchy. On the other hand, this revolution ended the kingship and instead strengthened the average class in the society. A number of reasons are inclined as the leading courses of the revolution1. Social, economic and political among other factors are closely linked with the revolution. The dissatisfaction among the low income earners and the middle classes and financial crisis formed the core of the war. Economically, the tax structure of the French government and the third estate classification were cited as other reasons for the revolt.2 There are many pundits who have said that the aggression of the people could be contained by the political heads of the country at the time without having to start the revolution if the ordinary people had been given some level of respect by the absolute monarchy. However, as this respect was lacking, the ordinary people did not have any other option than to choose the last resort. Invariably, the revolution could be said to have been between two major groups or social factions, who were the radical left-wing political groups made up of liberal political groups and ordinary people on the street on one side and the absolute monarchy on the other side. Social, economic, political position before the revolution Based on the identity given to the social factions involved in the group, a brief background could be given to the social, economic and political position of the two groups from both primary and secondary review points. On the part of the absolute monarchy, there is no denying the fact that they were enjoying the better side of life in France in the 1770s, having all the social freedoms of the country to their advantage. Politically, their influence and reign absolute with aristocratic, religious and feudal privileges. This also put them in a very fine economic tune as primary account has it that the monarchy, led by Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette introduced increased taxations that benefited them directly3. On the part of the radical left-wing political groups, they had the direct opposite of what the absolute monarchy enjoyed as there were even religious restrictions, forbidding religious freedom. Such was the social distaste in which the radical left-wing political groups lived in. as people from whom huge taxes were being exhorted from them, the least said about their economic hardships the better. In the 19770s before the revolution therefore, the social, economic and political position of the radical left-wing political groups was that of shame and shambles.4 Most important complaints against the feudal order and the absolutist monarchy With a background to the social, political and economic position of the liberal political groups and the masses that were on the streets, a lot could be echoed about what their complaints were against the feudal order and the absolutist monarchy. In no simple terms, these people wanted the aged schemes of tradition and hierarchy to end. It would be noted that these schemes of tradition and hierarchy were made up of religious authority, monarchy and aristocracy. This was the bitterest complaint of the masses on the streets as they wanted a halt to all of these. In essence, the people felt that the monarchy, aristocracy and religious authority that existed did not promote fairness and evenness in the distribution of basic human rights. There are therefore analysts who interpret the demand and complaint of the people as demand and complaint for fairness, promotion of human rights, and justice. This is indeed a fair argument because having considered that the economic and social position of the masses on the streets was deplorable, it would just be right to say that their social and economic rights were protected, they would have been given what they deserved in their own country land.5 The Revolution also did not achieve its goal of establishing a constitutional monarchy. France originated in 1789 with the absolute monarch of Louis XVI and ended with the military dictatorship of Napoleon Bonaparte.6 The various elected legislative bodies ended up becoming more radical and dogmatic as the revolution went on. Those who lead these Assemblies were concerned for the citizens only if they could assist their stay in the throne. Such leaders used the National Assembly for their own personal gain. Most pressing wish to see changed and why There is a saying that all that a hungry stomach desires is satisfaction. In the same way, the radical left-wing political groups who are seen as the major benefactors and thus winners of the revolution did not desire nothing more that a restoration of their rights and a respect of it as such. What they therefore wanted to change most was the system of governance, which had being monopolized by a privileged few. Indeed, these people wanted an epic transformation that was backed by a spirit of citizenship, equality and justice. The answer to why the people wanted this is because it was missing from their system of living. What is more, researchers believe that there got to a time in the history of Europe when the happenings of other nations nearby was gaining great influence on the thoughts and ways of thinking of the ordinary French people. This is to say that the people had seen how freedom fighters around them had justifiably had their rights and freedoms restored and so they also felt that it was time they also had theirs restored. How the events of the revolution strengthen positions Events in the revolution had and unprecedented effect on the position of the people that the monarchy had to go and that a new system of governance that was backed by principles of inalienable rights had to come. This is because in as short as three years, they had succeeded in overthrowing the absolute monarchy that had been the epitomic of French rule for centuries. Indeed, the group had their stands consolidated when suddenly; there was a halt on the aristocratic, religious and feudal privileges that hitherto were enjoyed by only a few.7 The actual revolution therefore helped in getting their aspirations trumpeted. There are other analysts who upon the entire milestone that the left-wing political group had, believed that the group did not bring about anything better in the social and economic position of the ordinary person in France as at the time of the revolution. This is because there was no immediate reflection of the victory they seemed to have had on their social and economic status. This argument indeed hold very well for the rural poor at the time who had almost all their economic activities coming to a stand still as a result of the revolution.8 Conclusion Perhaps the most outstanding result of the French Revolution is that it delivered a taste of liberty, equality, and power, to the French. Even though, this did not last for long. It also resulted into patriotism that had not been witnessed before. The Revolution also propounded socialist theory, such as the importance of economic planning and a greater equality between the rich and the poor. These theories, along with a growing nationalism, would play a significant role in European politics in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries.9 The end we say justifies the means. By and large, there are empirical accounts to point to the fact that the radical left-wing political groups that started the revolution were the eventual social winners. If for nothing at all, almost all their complaints and demands were met. For instance, there was an immediate abolition of what had been a cycle of royal power that was suppressing the freedoms and rights of the people. What is more, the people had a socio-political inclusion in the new era of governance that was instituted because there was a formation of a democratic republic, which gave room for a church system with more radical and secular operations that met the way of life of the people. Regardless of the victory for the masses however, the absolute monarchy also had their part of the victory as some pundits even hold the view that victory to the political groups was not absolute because the people had to pay off their victory in the revolution with counter revolutions and series of revolutions after the main revolution LIST OF REFERENCES Albregts L and Meervis C. The Role of the French Revolution in Making Europe. (Albregts Press Limited, 1999), 56. Brophy, et. al., Perspectives from the Past: Perspectives from the Past, Primary Sources in Western Civilizations. (New York: WW Norton & Company, 1998), 100-105. Merriman J, A History of Modern Europe: From the Renaissance to the Present. (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 2006), 45-8. Palmer, R. R. The world of the French Revolution. [1st U.S. ed. New York: Harper & Row, 1971. Tan, J & Zailani, S. “Revolutionary Value Chain in the Context of Sustainability Development and European Development” International Journal of Historic Insights & Transformation, Oct2009-Mar2010, Vol. 3 Issue 1: 40-50 Read More