Essay on the French Revolution: Causes, Phases, and Impact

This essay delves into the French Revolution (1789-1799), a pivotal period of political and social upheaval that transformed France from a monarchy to a republic. It examines the revolution's two major phases: the liberal phase (1789-1792), marked by events like the storming of the Bastille, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, and the Tennis Court Oath; and the radical or terror phase (1792-1794), characterized by the establishment of the First Republic, the execution of King Louis XVI, and the Reign of Terror. The essay highlights the revolution's lasting legacy, including the end of absolute monarchy, the destruction of the feudal system, the establishment of constitutional rights, and the rise of nationalism. The essay references key historical events and figures and discusses how the revolution reshaped French society, politics, and its impact on the world.

Running head: FRENCH REVOLUTION
FRENCH REVOLUTION AND ITS LEGACY
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1FRENCH REVOLUTION
The French Revolution (1789–1799) was a violent or sudden change of ideology, politics
and social changes. This political change marked the changes in French politics that denoted a
shift from monarchy to democracy. These changes denoted the shift in power from upper classes
to lower classes, catholic clergy (Cole & Symes, 2017). Furthermore, this revolution marked the
generation of republicanism, rights and citizenship. However, these revolutionary changes were
not easy for the citizens of France, as they have to suffer violent turmoil, expensive wars as the
citizens were uprising against the supreme power and the wealthy elite category. This revolution
has two important phases, the liberal phase and the radical and terror phase (Sa'Adah, 2014).
The historical meaning of these two revolutions were of great importance as it
determined the loss of monarchy as the regime becomes weak, loss of legitimacy and less radical
society. The liberal or moderate phase (1789-92) of French revolution marked the disruption of
Bastille, revolutionary changes in the Roman Catholic churches, declaration of rights of man,
tennis court oath and abolition of slavery (Cole & Symes, 2017). Further, it marked abolishment
of feudal privileges and the whole country unified to face external problems. In this, phase the
absolutist realm of Louis XVI transformed into constitutional dominion. This new system
provided with the rules according to which the realm should act and rules and basic
constitutional rights that could be used by common people for equality. Further, in 1789, the
national constituent assembly removed feudalism and within few hours, this course of action
removed all the privileges from the aristocrats, clergy, nobles, companies and provinces that
enjoyed it earlier (Sa'Adah, 2014). In 1789, Louis XVI closed Salle des États where the common
people planned to arrange assembly. The weather was not good for an outdoor meeting, therefore
the assembly occurred in an indoor tennis court and this event was known as the tennis court
oath (June 20, 1789) (Palmer, 2013). They took the oath to stay united until a strong constitution

2FRENCH REVOLUTION
is formed and in the process 47 members of the nobility and majority members of clergy joined
them. In the course of action by this revolutionary unity, thousands of people from Paris and
France poured in their support in the favor of national assembly and on July 9, the National
Constituent Assembly was formed (Cole & Symes, 2017).
The terror phase or the radical phase from 1792 to 1794 was also important as it marked
the establishment of first republic, execution of the king Louis XVI and election of national
convention. The political insurgency made France indulge in war with Australia and its allies
(Linton, 2013). The king thought that war will increases his popularity by showing his arm
strength, however it lead France to suffer from constitutional crisis. This made the national
government dependent on the rebellious commune. The situation changed when in 1792, a new
Constitution was prepared and ‘de facto government’ of France declared it as a Republic. While
in the other hand, the Imperial and Prussian armies threatened government by retaliation of the
French population. King Louis XVI again used this opportunity and started conspiring with the
enemies of the France (Linton, 2013). However, in 1793, King Louis was condemned to death
for conspiring against Republic Liberty with a week majority in the convention. This phase saw
the supremacy of terror that lead to revolts throughout the country this reign of terror enables a
revolutionary government to avoid defeat from military as a Jacobins expanded the size of the
Army and involved younger soldiers (Cole & Symes, 2017).
The legacy of the French revolution can be estimated from the fact that it puts a long and
powerful impact on the French as well as global population. This revolution changed the
ideology and changed the social stereotypes. Since then France has 11 constitutions and post
revolution, it made France more strong and coercive. The importance events that occurred in the
French revolutions contributed to its legacy. It ended the absolute monarchy, destroyed the

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feudal system, constitutional rights, transformation, legal reform and disestablishment of
churches. Further, it evolves the social thinking and made the France politically secular and
socially democratic (Cole & Symes, 2017). It also provides the society with the rights of
choosing religion. As the revolution affected the entire Europe, it led the rise of concept of
nationalism as one of the key factor of revolution. Furthermore, the abolishment of Feudal
system made elimination of privileged and aristocrats and made the society accept equality and
human rights. The political changes occurred in the French revolution indicated that the
population of the country shifted power to the group, who had agenda and those shift were
revolutionary as it brought necessary changes in the society (Sa'Adah, 2014).

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References
Cole, J., & Symes, C. (2017). Western civilizations: Their history and their culture (19th ed.).
Michigan: W. W. Norton, Incorporated, 2017.
Linton, M. (2013). Choosing terror: virtue, friendship, and authenticity in the French
Revolution, 1st Edn, pp. 201-227, OUP Oxford. https://books.google.co.in/books?
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+phase&ots=c_ynFr6Q48&sig=-_w-rMCD06DPkF0a-
LszKS_5fqU#v=onepage&q=french%20revolution%20and%20terror%20phase&f=false
Palmer, R. R. (2013). Twelve who ruled: The year of terror in the French Revolution, 1st Edn, pp.
44-78, Princeton University Press. https://books.google.co.in/books?
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+phase&ots=TKMwgtKRCz&sig=UUW430O56py7qgrdmjQ4b6EtPDY#v=onepage&q=
french%20revolution%20and%20terror%20phase&f=false
Popkin, J. D. (2016). A Short History of the French Revolution, 6th Edn, pp. 123-156, Routledge.
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Sa'Adah, A. (2014). The shaping of liberal politics in revolutionary France: A comparative
perspective, 1st Edn, pp. 19-32, Princeton University Press.
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l+phase&ots=yjLCeHd9Uu&sig=K1UH_IMBukuWmRw5_agbhAC6Ljw

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