The ideas of the intellectual of the Enlightment brought democratic reforms. The inequality of the social classes caused dissatisfaction between the peasants and nobles. The political factors of having an Absolute Monarchy also influenced the coming of the French Revolution. On the eve of revolution, France was an absolute monarchy. Absolutism is a political system in which rulers have complete power over the government and the lives of people in their nation.
This new set of laws meant that every French citizen had equal rights promoting the revolutionary idea of equality among all men. These codes secured property rights and also supported the revolutionary ideas subdivision of estates between male heirs. These codes also contained many revolutionary ideas of equality between all classes and trial in the public by the jury system. He also made it possible for the public to vote after they had passed a certain criteria which pleased the revolution as it promoted their ideas of power to the people. The concordat signed between the pope and Napoleon showed that Napoleon recognised the importance of the church.
With the replacement of the Girondins faction in 1793, the Jacobins had complete control of the National Convention, and France as a nation. Both the Jacobins and Robespierre wanted quick change. The ‘quick change’ desired by these individuals was a monumental task that proved nearly impossible considering the highly divided 600-member legislature in France at the time. Still, the driving force behind the Terror would not have been present if not for the Jacobins Club. Even though the Jacobins were completely controlling the government after the arrest of the Girondins, they still feared that the Revolution would fail if they failed making them very unstable.
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Political, social, and economic conditions in France contributed to the discontent felt by many French people-especially those of the third estate. The ideas of the intellectuals of the Enlightenment brought new views to government and society. The American Revolution also influenced the coming of the French Revolution. The Philosophes planted the seeds for the French Revolution.
The French Revolution of 1789 had many long-range causes. Political, social, and economic conditions in France contributed to the discontent felt by many French people-especially those of the third estate. The ideas of the intellectuals of the Enlightenment brought new views to government and society. The American Revolution also influenced the coming of the French Revolution. The Philosophes planted the seeds for the French Revolution.
The French Revolution of 1830 showed that ideas of liberalism and civic nationalism would spread. This time radicals wanted to set up a republic by choosing their own “citizen king”, Louis Philippe There was another revolution in 1848, where the citizen king was overthrown. This revolution was caused by romantic nationalism because due to problems, freedom of speech was abolished and the state gained power and was able to suppress the rebels. As the economy was faltering radicals forced themselves to work for a French republic. The force of the workers who wanted a republic defeated those who supported socialism.
The Monarchy’s absolute rule and ancient regime were tested by the growing influence of the Enlightenment, which challenged traditional ways and ideas. Lavish spending and irrational mistakes made by the royal family worsened the nations ongoing economic debt, installing fear and famine in the lives of French citizens. In the face of a changing world, the old order succumbed to its own rigidity, falling to the ambitions of a rising bourgeoisie. These significant long-term causes created an atmosphere of discontent and confusion in France, allowing an angry and frustrated Third Estate to utilise the Estates-General meeting to their advantage. It was this event that lit the spark for the Revolution of France.
After being elected as First Consul through an almost unanimous vote, Napoleon had to make sure he kept his promises to preserve the popularity he had gained through assurances that he would uphold the ideals of the French Revolution, which were the following: Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The Revolution had sought greater equalization between classes, the rule of law and the end of religious and secular privilege. Firstly, he introduced France’s first actual legal system to be followed throughout the Consulate, known as the Napoleonic Code. It established equality before the law, freedom of religion and the abolition of feudalism. Furthermore, serfdom was abolished and property rights made absolute, in addition to the individual choice
This discontent lay largely within the 3rd estate, as the politics of the time were unpopular amongst them, particularly as the economic crises hit nearer to 1789. Compounding these frustrations were the new ideals becoming evident in the French society, and so many residents of France, particularly those of the lower classes, now had reason and motivation to push for reform. Economic concerns were an important factor in relation to the revolution as they encouraged many people from the city to join the uprising due to their desperate situations. One of the earliest forms of economic trouble in relation to the revolution began in 1756, when France first began going into debt due to her war with England. This debt was further accentuated by her involvement in the American Revolution from 1775, and the government continued spending more than they were receiving in taxes.
Out of several causes of the French Revolution, there are three major ones; these causes will inevitably change France’s society. The Age of Enlightenment, had brought the idea of thinking, which allowed the nation to realize what their society really consisted of, making the people's minds spark with the thoughts of living in an unfair government. The social system in France would also be a major cause, it added on to the problems already brought up and associated with the age of enlightenment, which would lead to the French Revolution. The social system would bring unfairness between classes. Financial problems in France also added on to the causes.