Emergency of the modern world

Posted by Winnie Melda on January 4th, 2018

Introduction

 French revolution is as a period of break Enlightenment. Enlightenment marked man’s emergence from self- imposed nonage. Lynn Avery Hunt explains that the French revolution was a period when societies established themselves; empires rose and fell and particular forms of governments wereformed, it was an experience of breaking from the medieval era. He further explains that The French revolution intended uncompromisingly to attain freedom and dignity of a man. The revolutionaries rejected authority that did not stem from man’s critical rationality. Lynn Avery Hunt (1984)

Stages of French revolution

The Moderate Stage (1789-1792)

According to Rude Georges, Several events took place during this phase. In June 1789; the third estate seized the political initiative that had been called for by King Louis XVI with the purpose to repair finances. They demanded government reforms. This stage of the revolution wascreated upon the declaration of independence by the third estate with the “oath of the tennis court”. In the same year, the “fall of Bastille” was witnessed in the month of July. The civil constitution of the clergy waspassed in 1790. It established a national church whose priests were to be and the state would cater for their salaries. In 1791, the constitution was passed to establish a sovereign legislative assembly, guarantee civil rights and divide the population into active and passive citizens. The temporary legislative assembly waslaterdisbanded.

The period 1791-1792 marked a period of The Legislative Assembly. The constitutional monarchy favored wealthy middle class consisting of the bourgeoisie who controlled the government as active citizens. The third estate that comprised the poor was the majority and had no voting rights. The government favored liberty over equality. The legislation assembly collapsed in September 1792 as a result of lost support from the majority of the Frenchmen. (Rude Georges, 1988)

The moderate stage was instrumental in bringing both government reforms and a decline in authority and influence of the church. The passing of the constitution and the disbandment of the legislative assembly was the end of absolutism. In this period, the desire for an inclusive government and more political and economic power among the poor is evident. Secondly, the civil constitution of the clergy that established a national church and the change in the structure of the church saw a decline in authority and influence of the church. These reforms that took place in the church included a functional concept of religion that religion was useful in preserving order and stability. Rights were also granted to Jews and Protestants, and this period marked the end of slavery in France.

The Radical Stage (1793-1794)

According to Steven Vincent, The national convention was formed; it was a form of temporary government that tried to create a lasting form of government eliminating the position of the king. A new calendar and religion known as “cult of the supreme being” was adopted. Robespierre became a key political player during this period. The Jacobins tried to gain support of the poor by giving in to their demands. During this period, King Louis XVI was executed together with his wife. The revolution became uncontrollable and mob rule was affected. The Girondins weredriven out of Paris, and France descended into civil war. (K. Steven Vincent, 1991)

According to Diefendorf, the radical phase of the French revolution managed to bring changes in the economic and legal spheres. The civil unrest among peasants resulted to the creation of commercial courts. A commercial court in Aachen wascreated in 1794, and similar courts followed elsewhere. These courts played at important role in later years in creation of industrial and commercial businesses. (Diefendorf, 1980)

Napoleon phase 1799

Lyons Martyn explains that in 1799, General napoleon Bonaparte seized government control. He managed to implement the French revolutions ideals. The most significant reform of the napoleon phase is the implementation of the code napoleon. The civil code consolidated many strands of commercial legislation. The phase experienced up to date legal framework and a system of government that was in harmony with the needs of the industrializing society. Napoleon transformed Frances businesses from oligarchy. He managed to bring more effective and intrusive administration. New civil rights such as careers open to talent, equality before the law and participation in elections werecreated. Socio-economic changes werealsoexperienced. Businesses were open to new entrants and new businesses. The French revolution was a break from the past. (Lyons, Martyn, 1994)

References

Diefendorf, Jeffry (1980) Businessmen and Politics in the Rhineland, 1789–1834.Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press

K. Steven Vincent (1991) Between Marxism and Anarchism University of California Press

Lynn Avery Hunt (1984) Politics, class and Culture in French Revolution University of California Press

Lyons Martyn (1994) Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution New York: St. Martin’s Press.

Rude Georges (1988) The French Revolution: Its Causes, Its History and Its Legacy After 200 Years New York: Grove Press

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