French Revolution: Causes, Stages, and Impact

Posted on Oct 26, 2024 in History

The French Revolution

Causes

The French Revolution was fueled by several key factors. The bourgeoisie, despite enjoying economic prosperity, faced restrictions on free trade and production. Existing regulations and the privileges of the aristocracy hindered their political advancement. Meanwhile, the powerful aristocracy clung to the outdated feudal system. A severe economic crisis further exacerbated these tensions. Peasant hardships worsened due to increased feudal burdens, and poor harvests in the 1780s led to widespread misery and protests. An industrial crisis in 1786, partly due to British competition, resulted in factory closures and unemployment. Royal finances were in a chronic deficit as the aristocracy paid no taxes, leaving the Third Estate to bear the entire burden.

The Revolution Ignites

The nobility vehemently opposed new tax proposals, insisting that only the Estates-General could approve them. This political rebellion led to a crisis, forcing the King to convene the Estates-General. Widespread discontent fueled intense political activity during the elections and the drafting of the Cahiers de Doléances (Lists of Grievances).

The Course of the Revolution

The Estates-General convened in Versailles on May 5, 1789. Each estate met and voted separately, with one vote per estate. The Third Estate representatives formed the National Assembly, vowing to remain until a constitution guaranteeing their rights was established. The King conceded, and the Estates-General became the National Constituent Assembly. Calls for mobilization culminated in the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789.

Stages of the Revolution

The National Constituent Assembly (1789-1791)

  • Abolished feudalism (estates, serfdom, tithes, feudal justice)
  • Adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, establishing equality and national sovereignty.
  • Drafted a constitution (1791) establishing a constitutional monarchy with separation of powers (executive, legislative, judicial).
  • Implemented a new territorial division, abolished internal customs, and established free trade.
  • Separated church and state, allowing for divorce.

The Legislative Assembly (1791-1792)

  • Political divisions emerged between monarchists/liberals and a more radical faction demanding further democratic and economic reforms.
  • The royal family’s attempted escape to join Austrian forces led to increased radicalization.
  • War declared on Austria.
  • The storming of the Tuileries Palace led to the King’s arrest and new elections.

The National Convention (1792-1795)

  • Abolished the monarchy and proclaimed the republic.
  • The Girondin Convention: Moderate leadership faced challenges from the more radical Jacobins. King Louis XVI was tried and executed, fueling the European anti-revolutionary coalition.
  • The Jacobin Convention: Girondin leaders were arrested and executed. A new constitution established popular sovereignty and male suffrage. The Reign of Terror began under Robespierre, who implemented social reforms.
  • The Bourgeois Republic: After the fall of the Jacobins, a new constitution restored census suffrage. The Directory repressed leftist uprisings. Napoleon Bonaparte seized power in a coup, establishing the Consulate.

Marxism

Marxism, derived from the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, critiqued utopian socialism and developed scientific socialism. Outlined in The Communist Manifesto, Marxist theory focused on:

  • Analysis of history through class struggle.
  • Critique of the capitalist system.
  • The necessity of overcoming capitalism and establishing a future socialist society.