Liberalism and Nationalism in the French Revolution
Liberalism and Nationalism: The French Revolution
Why did the revolution begin with an aristocratic revolt?
The revolution began with an aristocratic revolt because the monarchy was in a deep financial crisis. The proposed solution was a tax reform that would compel the aristocracy to pay taxes, which they refused to do.
What two texts symbolized the end of the Ancien Régime in the summer of 1789?
The “Decree of the National Constituent Assembly” and the “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen” symbolized the end of the Ancien Régime.
What steps met the Revolution? Briefly describe each of them.
- Constitutional Monarchy (1789-1792): Supported by the conservative middle class.
- Democratic Republic (1792-1794): Driven by the radical bourgeoisie and the popular sectors.
- Bourgeois Republic (1794-1799): Marked a return to power of the conservative bourgeoisie, consecrating the dominance of the owners.
Why did the project to turn France into a constitutional monarchy fail? When did the monarchy fall?
The project failed because the royal family opposed it and attempted to escape to join the Austrian army, intending to invade France and restore absolutism. They were stopped in Varennes during their flight (Flight to Varennes, 1791) and sent back to the capital. The monarchy fell in 1792 when the sans-culottes stormed the royal palace, imprisoned the king, and proclaimed a republic.
What was the National Convention? In what two stages was it divided?
The National Convention was the assembly elected by universal male suffrage to draft a new constitution after the proclamation of the French Republic in 1792. It was divided into two stages: The Girondin Convention (Danton) and the Jacobin Convention (Robespierre).
When was the republic in danger? What were the consequences?
The republic was in danger in 1793. The consequence was the shift of power from the Girondins to the Jacobins, who detained top Girondin political leaders and promulgated a new constitution based on social democracy.
How did Napoleon conquer his empire? When and where was he defeated?
Napoleonic armies acted as conquerors, subjecting the occupied nations and prioritizing the material interests of France over revolutionary ideals. In 1814, after being defeated in Russia and Spain, Napoleon abandoned power.
Explain the objectives of the Congress of Vienna and the measures taken to achieve them.
Its aim was the restoration of monarchical absolutism. The decisions of the Congress of Vienna were completed with the Holy Alliance (1815), a treaty of mutual assistance among European monarchs against any threat of liberal revolution.
Define in a few words what liberalism and nationalism consist of.
Liberalism is a political system based on individual rights and freedoms.
Nationalism is a political ideology that supports the right of peoples to self-determination and to defend their sovereignty.
What features characterized the 1820 revolutions? What about 1830?
The revolutions of 1820 were of a liberal and nationalist character. They often took the form of a military coup, following conspiracies against absolutism by individuals belonging to secret societies (Masons). They also began in America with the independence of the Spanish and Portuguese colonies. After the revolutions of 1830, Europe was divided into two blocs: the Western, liberal and constitutional, and the Eastern, conservative and aristocratic, consisting of Austria, Prussia, and Russia.
State the differences between liberalism and democracy. What is popular sovereignty?
Democracy was a form of liberalism but defended the principle of popular sovereignty, which supported the participation of all male citizens in political life through universal suffrage.