French revolution (PART II) : SHIKHAR PANDEY

FRENCH REVOLUTION (PART II)

So in this article I will tell you what happened when France moved from Absolute Monarchy to Constitutional Monarchy.

 READ PART I BEFORE IT.

In August 1789 the National Assembly declared Rights of Men and Rights of Citizen.

It is considered as one of the most important document in the world. It was a statement of intent for constitution and based on the idea of enlightenment.There are total 17 articles in this document. The concept of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity were enshrined in this document. One of the famous article in this says “Men are born free and remain free and equal in rights” (means it doesn’t matter wherever you are born, you will have equal rights and you will be equally free).

The basic drawback of this declaration was that it didn’t give any rights to women and slaves; even they weren’t considered as citizens. Women were considered as passive citizen hence didn’t have right to vote.

In October 1789 the economic conditions were very bad. France had huge shortage of food specially in Paris. People didn’t have bread to eat(which is the staple diet of French people).

There was a rumour that there was a party going on in Palace of Versailles while Parisians were struggling for bread. So 7000 women assembled and they marched to the palace killed the guards and they forced the royal family to move to Paris.

By 1790 many Political groups and parties had emerged and constitution was being written down. Many clubs formed having their own thoughts/ideas about the change/revolutionary process.

The famous clubs were:-

Jacobins: They were radical revolutionaries. They wanted to remove the king completely.

It was composed of people mainly from poor classes (artisans, daily workers etc.). They believed that power had been consolidated by upper/prosperous middle class and wealthy traders. Their leader was Maximilien de Robespierre. These people were also called as Sans Culottes (cause they wore full length pants or without Breaches).

Girondins: They were liberals, they weren’t against the king so much but they also wanted small changes

Society of Revolutionary Republican Women: It was a club for women formed by women.

By 1791 King Louis tried to escape Austria from France but caught. This led to a lot of people resenting the king and demands started coming for Republic (mainly from Jacobins)

But now the Constitutional Assembly was in favour of monarchy like Britain.

People started protesting against them and National Guard (a Special Battalion formed in 1789 to keep the revolution alive, mainly consist of common citizens) sent to suppress them.

In Sep. 1791 the constitution was completed. It took 2 years to complete the constitution and a Legislative Assembly was formed and also King restored as head of state.

But this system failed within a year because of different demands of various parties and groups (mainly Jacobins and Girondins). Also Louis secretly tried to get help from other Kings.

Neighboring monarchs were also getting scared of all the anarchy and revolutionary fever spreading in France.

Austria and Prussia declared their support for French Monarchy (also called declaration of Pillnitz).

Because of this declaration there was a threat to France. The new govt. thought that there could be an attack on France and we should respond so France attacked Prussia and Austria in April 1792.

                      

In late August 1792 people attacked king’s family, killed his bodyguards but somehow king escaped. Legislative Assembly itself was suspended after few days. Now they said there will be a new republican constitution because France is now a republic, there is no more monarchy and elections were announced.

Also King Louis put to trial and sentenced to death (January 1783).

As soon as King Louis was executed, British, Dutch and Spain joined Austria and Prussia in the ‘coalition’ against France. It is also known as “The War of First Coalition”.

An instrument called ‘Guillotine” also known as Instrument of Humane Death was also discovered at that time. During French Revolution a lot of people were executed by guillotine.

                               

Now the Constitutional Monarchy was changing into Republic.

A new govt. was formed called The National Convention. It ruled from Sep.1792- Oct.1795.

It was the Third Govt. of the revolution. This govt. was elected by extending the suffrage right- all 21+ male had the right to vote (earlier it was 25).

A small group “Committee of Public Safety” was created which took all control/major decisions. This committee was dominated by Jacobins.

Now from June 1793- July 1794 a lots of people were killed; this one year period also known as “The Reign of Terror”. This was led by Maximillen Robespierre who was a part of committee of public safety. 16000 people ‘enemies of the revolution’ guillotined (executed) during this one year time period. France was really at a bad situation at this time. Many churches were destroyed and closed down.

                                  

This govt. brought in a new calendar according to which- 10 hours a day, 100 minutes an hour, 10 days a week. After few years people got sick of Jacobins (due to massive execution, food shortage, wars etc.). Jacobins were banned and Robespierre himself was executed by Jacobins and after this Girondins came into power. They also didn’t last for much time (hardly one year). Then again elections were announced and a new govt. was formed (The Directory 1795-99).

A new Constitution was adopted in 1795.Again affluent middle class took control and they gave Right to Vote only to people who had property. This govt. also had a Bicameral Legislature (which formed the laws).

French army was winning a lot of battles at that time especially under the leadership of Napoleon Bonaparte (a young army general) ending the war of first coalition. Napoleon was hardly 26 years old at that time.

THE CONSULATE 1799- 1804:-

30 year old military general Napoleon Bonaparte did a coup against the directory rule and established ‘Consulate’. Now there were 3 consuls. Napoleon declared himself as the FIRST CONSUL of France (most powerful) and in 1804, he declared himself as the ‘Emperor of France’.

                                   

ANALYSIS OF FRENCH REVOLUTION:-

1.   Absolute monarchy to Military dictatorship. No much drastic changes in govt. .

2.   Church restored by Napoleon and for that people was happy because of him.

3.   Nobility returned back to France. They didn’t have power but some houses were given to them.

4.   Even Bourban monarchy restored in 1815 after Napoleon was defeated and he was thrown in jail. All the enemies of France made Bourban King Louis 17^th(younger brother of Louis 16^th )as their ruler.

5.   The conditions of women and slaves didn’t see any change.                             

LEGACY OF FRENCH REVOLUTION:-

1.   Powers of the King were limited and constitution became very strong.

2.   Power of nobility/remaining feudalism gone forever.

3.   Church’s power highly diminished and after this an era of religious tolerance started.

4.   Power transferred from nobility to people, especially Bourgeoisies (middle class).

5.   Ideas of rights of man were long lasting.

6.   Rise of humanitarian movements.

7.   Spread of Nationalism in Europe.

8.   Women- Education, marriage freedom to start business and trade.

SHIKHAR PANDEY