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Lopez, Christine Joy V.

Culture
Section 1 | 9:30-11:18 | EB 306
2015

Society &
April 27,
The French Revolution

Ive only heard about the French Revolution and never actually study it. Why,
because Im not related with it. Unlike our own history, which needs to be studied. Not until
it became our homework. Though, it is still vague to me, at least I already know some
important points about the revolution of the Parisians.
French Revolution also called Revolution of 1789, the revolutionary movement that
shook France between 1787 and 1799 and reached its first climax there in 1789. Hence the
conventional term Revolution of 1789, denoting the end of the ancient rgime in France
and serving also to distinguish that event from the later French revolutions of
1830 and 1848.
What was really the cause of this revolution? Due to their involvement in the
American Revolution and extravagant spending by King Louis XVI, it left the country on the
brink of bankruptcy. Heavy taxes are imposed to the peasants and urban poor yet their
leaders failed to provide relief.
Then, Charles Alexandre de Calonne, King Louis XVIs controller general, proposed
financial reform package that included a universal land tax from which the privileged
classes would no longer be exempt.
During that time, there was societal hierarchy, which divides the people into three
groups namely, the first, second, and third estate. The First state was of clergy, the second
estate was of nobility, and the third estate consisted of other classes and individuals such
as peasants, merchants, lawyers, artisans, and industrial workers.
In addition to the proposal of de Calonne, an assembly representing Frances clergy,
nobility, and middle class was summoned which is now called the National Assembly. The
third estate then rise and proposed the equal representation of the people and the
abolishment of the noble veto, they wanted voting be counted by head and not by
hierarchical status.
With the fear of impending military coup, rioters attacked the Bastille where the
National Assembly was being held, in an attempt to secure gunpowder and weapons.
Peasants then burned home of tax collectors, landlords, and the seigniorial elite. Thus, the
abolishment of feudalism was signed; replacement of the ancient regime with a system
based on equal opportunity, freedom of speech, popular sovereignty, and representative
government but the kings royal veto power was keep. But many opposed to it and began
drumming up popular support for a more republican form of government.
Until then, the monarchy was abolished and replaced by the French republic.
Robespierre headed this and after his death, the Directory; five-member of executive power
appointed by parliament was established. Later on, due to financial crises, popular
discontent, inefficiency, and political corruption, the directors relied much on the military
lead by Napoleon Bonaparte. He then staged a coup detat, which abolished the Directory
and appointed himself as Frances first consul and that marked the end of the French
Revolution.

To conclude, the common reasons for the revolution were the bourgeoisie resented
its exclusion from political power and positions of honor, the peasants were acutely aware
of their situation and were less and less willing to support the anachronistic and
burdensome feudal system, the philosophes had been read more widely in France than
anywhere else, French participation in the American revolution had driven the government
to the brink of bankruptcy, France was the post populous country in Europe, and crop
failures in much of the country, and lastly, the French monarchy no longer seen as divinely
ordained and was unable to adapt to the political and societal pressures that were being
exerted to it.

SOURCES:
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/219315/French-Revolution
http://www.history.com/topics/french-revolution

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