Sample Essay on the Effects of French Revolution (1789–1799)
Every revolution in the world history had far-reaching effects. The effects of these revolutions however varied and still vary today. It is important to note that some of the relations had intense impact that changed the world in an almost permanent way. One of these revolts was the French Revolution. While it might not be possible to single out the cause of the uprising, it is worth noting that its effects affected the world in different ways. Before this revolution, France was a backward nation as its economy was not per with world powers at that time. This essay explores various effects of French Revolution.
The French Revolution had secular effects in the country. For example, civil unrest in France became order of the day after the attack on Bastille in 1789. This was after the issuance of the Declaration of the Rights of Man. Through this, many frontrunners at the time wanted to transfer the power to issue fundamental basic human rights from God to the government. To achieve this, they replaced the King’s crown, which denoted Catholicism with a red liberty hat that symbolized the authority of the government.
After the French Revolution, the government rose to the occasion to muzzle the church. During the same year, the new government through its National Assembly took over all the land that was previously owned by churches. They did this to enrich themselves and curtail the authority of the church in the new era. Consequently, the government abolished all forms of monastic vows and religious orders, rendering the institution null and void. The government took over the power of the religion via the Civil Constitution of the Clergy. Under this, the state controlled the church fully, including the appointment of Pastors and Bishops, who took oath of office. Clergymen who refused to take oath were put in custody and banned from running any chapels in the country.
It is important to note that the true effects of the French Revolution were well manifested after the revolutionaries ousted the monarch and stripped off the powers of the church through suppression means. This opened a new chapter for France to experience the impact of the bloody revolution. Following the switch of power, there were changes in the country’s social structure as the bourgeois and landowners became the most powerful classes.
Some historians argue that France attained social order following the end of feudalism and the adoption of the Code Napoleon. Though the Revolution made France ungodly, it became united had gained global influence and recognition by other leading powers. Nationalism was key during Napoleonic Wars as France engaged in total warfare. While it is true that the revolution had massive effects, its long-term impact remain debatable. Importantly, the revolution was France’s turning point in terms of its identity and ideology, without drawing from its history. In attempt to finding stability, a series of historic events took place. Among these was the execution of the King and Queen, abolishment of the monarch and installation of a new government. This was to have a long-term effect as an elected legislature endured even after the restoration of the Monarch in 1814.
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