The French Revolution

The French Revolution

During the eighteenth century, France experienced a growth process which allowed its consolidation as one of the most powerful monarchies of Europe but also It multiply social tensions and claims to become a more complex society. French society began to complain against the social model. Gradually, court life was displaced. Despite the growing modernity subsisted conceptions, institutions and laws were not adapted to the changes. Since the death of Louis XIV, the French absolutism lived a deep crisis, the French Revolution destroyed so despotic as solid authority. With Louis XVI the crisis of the absolute monarchy is given.

Louis Auguste became Louis XVI in 1774 with the death of his grandfather Louis XV. He was considered immature and lacked self-confidence, but He was an absolute monarch. He had complete power. Louis believed that his power had been given to him by God. In 1770, he married Marie Antoinette, daughter of the emperor and empress of Austria. People considered that Louis was dominated by his wife, She was subject of many rumours and also criticised by the way She interfered with Louis's attempts to govern the country. Accusations of frivolity, extravagance and scandalous behaviour against the queen, Marie Antoinette, further discredited the monarchy. The demand of change and reform in France found Louis without ideas. The power of the King was severely affected and in a very short time, with the storming of the Bastille, he will lose it all.

The picture named "The workhorse" shows the discontent in the peasants with the inequality of financial burdens. At that time there were three estates. In the first estate we found those who monopolized education and welfare as well as censorship of publications. In the second those that provided key positions in the army and estate. Both estates were exempt of paying taxes and they owned most of the land ownership. On the other side, the third estate were on which the burden of taxes fell, and they lacked political rights.

The continuous wars in which France was involved, the circumstantial alliance with Austria widened the gulf between the monarchy and the French people. Meanwhile Louis XV was indifferent to the war losses and economic crisis; only he dealt with the parties in court. In France there were no major reforms as other state in Europe, this national crisis and popular discontent were the two problems that pave the way to the Revolution of 1789. Louis XV's phrase that summarizes all was "After me, the deluge"

The events in Paris generated all kinds of violent reaction in what was called "the Reign of Terror". Louis XVI was condemned to death by the Convention, which caused an internal and external popular commotion. In this situation, the Constitution is suspended and formed the Revolutionary Court. This is responsible for prosecuting and convicting suspects and opponents (Girondins and anti-revolutionary). In July 1794 three parties appeared (Danton, Herbert and Robespierre). The latter complaint Herbert and Danton and was considered as absolute owner of France. Shortly after countless killings and cruelties Robespierre is sentenced to death by the Convention. With the new Constitution the Convention is dissolved and a board of Directors acted as the government.

In many ways, the French Revolution inaugurated a way of understanding society and politics that are the pillars of modern democracy. Nowadays, no one doubts that all men are equal, that the law should be one for all and that the legitimate authority is derived from the people.