French Revolution Research Paper
The ideals commonly associated with the French revolution of 1789-1794 are "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity". Articles like the Cahiers and the "Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen" published early in the revolution were inspired by the Enlightenment and growing dislike of the Ancien Regime and the king 's oppression.
They are clear demonstrations of the ideals of the revolution- mainly being equality before the law, freedom of speech and a united France.
In the search for achieving these ideals however, violence was used often to an amazing extent as the revolution became radical. Although at first violence was used to progress France by crushing counterrevolutionaries and opposes of the republic, the time known as the Terror …show more content…
According to Townson "Their aim was to apply rational analysis to all activities... They were very much in favour of liberty- of the press, of speech, of trade and of freedom from arbitrary arrest." The French Revolution aimed to create this liberty within the social classes by destroying the absolute monarchy and establishing a government of the people, for the …show more content…
The populous rose in arms and murdered hundreds to enable the king to be arrested and the Sans-culottes to take control over the Paris Commune. This was the first step towards a 'government of the people ' which was so desired and the ideals of the revolution. It was also a characteristic expression of popular violence, and was to be followed by much bigger massacres, namely the Terror.
In this early stage of the Terror, violence was indeed used to support the ideals of the revolution. Violence was needed because it was the only way that the masses of France could be heard and exert any control over the government. Their sheer numbers and willingness to fight showed their support and commitment for the radical leaders in the National Convention. It put pressure on the government to make sure they still held the ideals of the revolution as a goal and to implicate them as quickly as possible.
As the revolution progressed however, the situation called for more desperate and extreme measures. The war was not going well for France, there were increasing food shortages, tax, inflation and growing numbers of counter-revolutionaries, especially in areas such as the Vendee '. The government felt such events 'threatened ' the revolution and as Doyle states: "the system of Terror established itself by force of
They are clear demonstrations of the ideals of the revolution- mainly being equality before the law, freedom of speech and a united France.
In the search for achieving these ideals however, violence was used often to an amazing extent as the revolution became radical. Although at first violence was used to progress France by crushing counterrevolutionaries and opposes of the republic, the time known as the Terror …show more content…
According to Townson "Their aim was to apply rational analysis to all activities... They were very much in favour of liberty- of the press, of speech, of trade and of freedom from arbitrary arrest." The French Revolution aimed to create this liberty within the social classes by destroying the absolute monarchy and establishing a government of the people, for the …show more content…
The populous rose in arms and murdered hundreds to enable the king to be arrested and the Sans-culottes to take control over the Paris Commune. This was the first step towards a 'government of the people ' which was so desired and the ideals of the revolution. It was also a characteristic expression of popular violence, and was to be followed by much bigger massacres, namely the Terror.
In this early stage of the Terror, violence was indeed used to support the ideals of the revolution. Violence was needed because it was the only way that the masses of France could be heard and exert any control over the government. Their sheer numbers and willingness to fight showed their support and commitment for the radical leaders in the National Convention. It put pressure on the government to make sure they still held the ideals of the revolution as a goal and to implicate them as quickly as possible.
As the revolution progressed however, the situation called for more desperate and extreme measures. The war was not going well for France, there were increasing food shortages, tax, inflation and growing numbers of counter-revolutionaries, especially in areas such as the Vendee '. The government felt such events 'threatened ' the revolution and as Doyle states: "the system of Terror established itself by force of