Describe how the American and French revolutions set the groundwork for the current world.
The French revolution of 1789, was one of the most crucial events that shook not only French society and Europe but the entire world. The French revolution is the most dramatic and complex event that was rooted in the social and political conditions of France of the 18th century and the ideas prevaiRead more
The French revolution of 1789, was one of the most crucial events that shook not only French society and Europe but the entire world. The French revolution is the most dramatic and complex event that was rooted in the social and political conditions of France of the 18th century and the ideas prevailing throughout Europe in the Age of Enlightenment. This revolution gave to the world the ideas of many great political philosophers whose ideas about democracy, republic, role of church, government and constitutionalism laid the foundation stone for the modern world’s polity, inspired art, culture and many revolutions across Europe and the world.
Influence Of French Revolution On France
1. Constitutional Monarchy: The king was reduced to a figurehead, the nobility deprived of titles and estates. Clergy, judges and magistrates were controlled by the state instead of the King. 2.Constitutionalism: The Revolution meant an end to arbitrary royal rule and held out the promise of rule by law under a constitutional order. Napoleon as emperor set up a constitutional system and the French Third Republic was launched with a deep commitment to upholding the ideals of the Revolution. 3.End of Feudal system: From the social point of view, the Revolution suppressed the feudal system, in the emancipation of the individual, in greater division of landed property, the abolition of the privileges of noble birth. 4.Economic sphere: Revolution had broken up large estates controlled by Church and Nobility, thus transforming rural France into land of small independent farms.
- Revolution also ended harsh taxation system on farmers thus bringing them much needed refeil.
- In the cities, entrepreneurship on a small scale flourished, as restrictive monopolies, privileges, barriers, rules, taxes and guilds gave way.
5. End of Domination by Catholic church: The domination of church was replaced by the concept of the French nation or people as a focus of common allegiance in a secular state. Church and state were separated and freedom of religion was established. 6. Idea of Nationalism: The revolutions gave birth to the concept of modern Nation-state and spirit of nationalism. It ingrained in the minds of people that France was not a kingdom of any King but a nation belonging to French people.
Influence Of French Revolution On Europe
1. Spread of ideas of Liberalism and Equality: The idea of giving people liberty and equality through a constitution was one of the important achievements of the revolution. And when Napoleon conquered Europe in the 1800s, constitutions were introduced into the states that came under French control. 2. Change is Mindset of people across Europe: Having experienced constitutional rule, people across Europe became liberals, even after the defeat of Napoleon and return of Monarchy after 1815. 3. Served as an source of ideals: The revolutionaries of the nineteenth century borrowed images as well as ideas from the French Revolution. a. The most famous of those images was that of ‘Liberty’. Liberty was portrayed as a young woman, Marianne,who appeared in countless revolutions of 1830’s. 4. Spread of Nationalism across Europe: Revolutionary wars under Napoleon played an instrumental role in the spread of nationalism in territories occupied by him and also created conditions necessary for unification of Italy and Germany. 5. Source of Inspiration: For liberals, nationalists and socialists in Europe who sought to bring about fundamental changes to the existing social and political order, 1789 was the inspiration.
Influence Of French Revolution On World
- Ideals of Modernity– Several Ideologies of liberty, equality, and fraternity are inspired by the French revolution, where all citizens promised individual freedoms, equality in status, and brotherhood.
- Democracy- It is one of the greatest contributions of the revolution as can be seen in the modern world. The revolution of 1789 inspired movements against colonialism for freedom and self-rule around the world.
- Secularism: The revolution ended the sovereignty, despotism and corruption of the Church. The importance of the worship of intellect and reason became more prominent.
- Eradication of Slavery System– The abolition of Slavery after the French revolution was the first move against this repressive system and Britain followed suit in 1833 while the USA banned it in 1865.
- The root of modern day socialism is also traced from the French revolution. Babeuf in communist teaching is known as the 1st modern communist. He was a highly radical personality and staunch supporter of the idea of equality.
- The Birth of Ideologies – The French revolution gave birth to the Ideologies. Prior to the French Revolution, people lived in the world where a monarchial form of government had been ruling for centuries. However, after the French Revolution, this form of government was ended.
The French revolution contributed to the ideals of modernity- liberty, equality, fraternity etc to the world. Besides these all, it paved a way for new markets and trade through which globalization phenomena came into existence. Thus, the French had not only contributed to administrative reform but also helped in the growth of the modern economy, society and political structure. Most of the nations in modern times including India have adopted the ideas of these revolutions in their socio-economic and political system.
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The later part of the 18th century saw two important developments in the form of the American revolution (1776-1783) and the French revolution (starting from 1789). These two developments are said to have laid the foundation of the modern world because of the novel ideas preached and realized into pRead more
The later part of the 18th century saw two important developments in the form of the American revolution (1776-1783) and the French revolution (starting from 1789). These two developments are said to have laid the foundation of the modern world because of the novel ideas preached and realized into practice during these revolutions.
How The American Revolution Laid The Foundation Of The Modern World
1.Democracy can be said as the greatest contribution of the revolution which can be seen in the modern world. The declaration of independence proclaimed that “all men are equal”. It provided an impetus to the people of the world to demand liberty and freedom. 2.The American Revolution gave rise to ideas, such as constitutionalism, rule of law, individualism, sovereignty, and separation of power which gained popularity in modern world history. 3.The revolution led to the first written constitution in the world which served as an inspiration for many nations who borrowed many ideas from the American constitution. The revolution led to the establishment of a republic based on the first written constitution in the world. 4.It inspired the people in Europe as well as other parts of the world to fight against their despotic regimes to compel the government to adopt the constitution.
5. The idea of capitalism was also popularised by the success of the American Revolution. The British Empire had made various barriers on the colonial economies including manufacturing, trading and settlement. After the revolution, a path was constructed for markets and new trade relationships. 6. It triggered the process of decolonisation which continued for more than 200 years. The lessons learnt by the British government from its defeat in the war of American independence were implied in the newly emerging colonial empire in India in future. 7. Certain inalienable rights were given to the people – this limited the government against the authority of people and reduced government interference in their lives. The American war of independence laid stress on the rights of human beings. The “Declaration of Rights” of Thomas Jefferson awakened the people about their rights. 8. Thinkers like Thomas Paine also participated in the revolution. This led to a spread of modern ideas in Europe. John Locke ideas of natural rights, montesquieu’s ideas of separation of power.
How The French Revolution Laid The Foundation Of The Modern World:
1. The French Revolution had been a world-shaking event. For years to come its direct influence was felt in many parts of the world. It inspired revolutionary movements in almost every country of Europe (Germany and Italian unification) and in South and Central America. 2. The Birth of Ideologies :The French revolution gave birth to the Ideologies. Prior to the French Revolution, people lived in the world where a monarchial form of government had been ruling for centuries. However, after the French Revolution, this form of government was ended.
3. Ideals of Modernity: Several Ideologies of liberty, equality, and fraternity are inspired by the French revolution, where all citizens promised individual freedoms, equality in status, and brotherhood. 4. Modern art and Culture: The Renaissance or revolutionary art movement was partially responsible for inspiring the French revolution. After the revolution culminated, this form of art spread across the world and gave rise to one of the modern art cultures that are present even today. 5. Democracy: It is one of the greatest contributions of the revolution as can be seen in the modern world. The revolution of 1789 inspired movements against colonialism for freedom and self-rule around the world. 6. Secularism: The revolution ended the sovereignty, despotism and corruption of the Church. The importance of the worship of intellect and reason became more prominent. 7. Eradication of Slavery System: The abolition of Slavery after the French revolution was the first move against this repressive system and Britain followed suit in 1833 while the USA banned it in 1865. 8.Constitutionalism: The first democratic constitution was the Jacobian constitution which however did not come into effect. It gave the right to vote to all, and even the Right to Insurrection implies that the right to revolt or rise against the government. Even the related attributes like human rights, fundamental rights also evolved from the revolution. 9.The root of modern day socialism is also traced from the French revolution. Babeuf in communist teaching is known as the 1st modern communist. He was a highly radical personality and staunch supporter of the idea of equality. 10. Ideas of Rousseau, Voltaire, John Locke were put into practice for the first time. The American and French revolution contributed to the ideals of modernity- liberty, equality, fraternity etc to the world. Besides these all, it paved a way for new markets and trade through which globalization phenomena came into existence. Thus, the French and American revolution had not only contributed to administrative reform but also helped in the growth of the modern economy, society and political structure. Most of the nations in modern times including India have adopted the ideas of these revolutions in their socio-economic and political system.
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