French Revolution
The French Revolution was a major transformation of the society and political system of France, lasting from 1789 to 1799. During the course of the Revolution, France was changed from an absolute monarchy, to a republic of supposedly equal and free citizens. The effects of the French Revolution were widespread, both inside and outside of France, and impacted all of Europe. At times the outcome of revolt led to social change and at times it just led to unnecessary bloodshed. Was this revolution inevitable? Was there something different that the government or people could have done to prevent the horrible atrocities of The Reign of Terror under Robespierre and his men? There are clear social, economic and political changes that could have been made too prevent this revolution from occurring when it did. However, although the government could have postponed this revolution, it was also somewhat inevitable, because of the great differences in the society of the peasants and the no!bles divided the entire society. The government was also just trying to make too many things right at the wrong time and this is why they could possibly have not avoided the French Revolution. Economically, many changes could have been made in the way th
In the long term, the liberation of the economy from royal controls, and the development of a uniform civil law code helped pave the way for the future. When France decided its aid was no longer needed because they seemed to have the problem in control, is when the problem came back again. The royal court at Versailles, which had been developed to impress the French people and Europe generally, came to symbolize the waste and corruption of the entire French government. (Encarta) How could the Government possibly had made this situation better? Why did the government not respond quicker when the peasants wanted more rights? The government was well aware of the problem that they were causing, and the unrest among the peasants, so why did they not stop the taxes and bring peace to the divided nation? It was not as easy as just stopping taxes because the French government was still in a large debt to other nations. The government could n!ot win this part of the problem because either way, one group had to give. At this time, the gap between the rich and the poor was becoming greater, with the poor becoming poorer, and the rich becoming richer. Once they realized that they were not profiting from their exploits, they should have discontinued them. So in trying to make friends with the nobles, the rulers did not tax the nobles as heavily as the other estates because they were trying to gain their support. France also suffered from harsh economic problems. Also, France became very involved with other surrounding nation's trade market. The excess spending by Louis the XIV caused this once great nation to fall into a deep period of debt and economic problems. These resentments, coupled with an inefficient government and an old-fashioned legal system, made the government seem increasingly bad to the French people. Economic decline in the 1770s may have frustrated some bourgeois in their rise to power and wealth, and rising bread prices just before the Revolution certainly increased dissatisfaction among workers and peasants. Louis continued to borrow money to fight wars and to keep French power alive in Europe. In the sense, the Revolution could not have been prevented because the French Government was trying very hard to please both sides, fixing the debt and pleasing the nobles.
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