DBQ: The French Revolution

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French Revolution The French Revolution, which included Napoleon’s reign, is considered a major turning point in world history. This revolution ignited a sense of nationalism across Europe and led to major changes in France and other nations of the world. This French revolution set an example to all people under a dictatorship that even the mightiest empire or nation can be overthrown. It also showed that the government should based off the will of the people. There were many causes of the French Revolution. It all begins as stated in document 1 that kings ruled by absolutism from the divine right theory saying God chose this person to rule. A king with absolute power is very dangerous because not only does he make the laws but he…show more content…
The major change in France was the strong sense of nationalism. Nationalism was spreading because the French people were fighting for their rights they so desperately craved. The estate system was also abolished during the revolution by the Law of the Fourth of August. According to document 4, during the French Revolution, Frances government changed five times to try to find the best option for its people. In 1789, the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was written. In document 5, this declaration stated all men have natural rights, an enlightenment idea from John Locke, guarantees all male citizens equality under the law, and declares the job of a government is to protect the natural rights of the people. The National Assembly adopted this declaration, abolished feudalism, and became a constitutional monarchy. The Constitution of 1791 written by the National Assembly was put into effect and France became a limited monarchy. This was the second change in government for France. The radicals in 1792 took control of the Nation Assembly, ended the monarchy, and declared France a republic. This group of 12 radical leaders called the Committee of Public Safety is given power and authority to save France. The leader of the radicals was Robespierre. Robespierre stated “The French Revolution and the French Republic is the hope of mankind, if it disappears tyranny will prevail forever,” so Robespierre went to…show more content…
The main impact of the French Revolution as mentioned in document 9 is it provided instruction for other evolutions in the 19th and 20th century. Napoleon’s conquests spread the Enlightenment ideals of democracy and equality before the law throughout Europe. People all over Europe wanted liberty from their absolute monarchs. The growth of nationalism by the French and the people Napoleon conquered grew and replaced ones feeling of loyalty to monarchs and/or authority. Also, Napoleons’ conquests unified Italy and Germany. The Latin American Independence movements were also inspired by the weakening of Spain by Napoleon. After Napoleon’s defeat, the Congress of Vienna occurred in 1815. This meeting happened to restore order and stability to Europe. It balanced out the five powers of Europe being France, England, Russia, Austrian Empire, and Prussia. This allowed all nations in a region to be about same strength economically and militarily. This in theory creates peace in the world because no one feels superior over a nation. This meeting also occurred to restore power to monarchs throughout Europe. Most kings got their thrown back but settled having a limited
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