The French Revolution

Megan Thomas

The French Revolution started around 1789 and ended in the late 1790s. It was a time
when the people of France rebelled against the monarchy, inequality, and the old regime. There
was a large amount of bloodshed and chaos, and the reign of terror was also part of this time.
Despite this, the revolution was successful. Many can agree that the revolution brought much
needed change, which outweighs the negatives it had. The French people gained many benefits
and prosperity due to the uprising. In this essay, I will prove that the French Revolution was a
positive event in history that brought beneficial changes to France. I will do this by analyzing the
productive outcomes it had, which includes the destruction of the old regime, the fall of the
monarchy, and the new freedoms given to the people.

Before the Revolution, people were classified with an unfair social class. At the top was
the first estate, which consisted of the clergy. These people made up only 1% of the population,
and had many benefits, allowing them to live in luxury. Some benefits were the ability to hunt,
and being exempt from paying taxes. Below them was the second estate, or the nobles. They
were similar to the clergy, having many rights and benefits while only making up 1% of the
population. The other 98% was the third estate, which was known as the bourgeoisie. Their
freedoms were extremely limited, despite them being the majority of France. The third estate had
to pay high taxes, which was unfair, because they were the poorest estate, and the wealthy estates
were not required to. This was one of the main concerns that caused the people to begin the

rebellion. Despite it being a huge problem, the monarchy did nothing to fix it, and did not listen
to what the people wanted. After the revolution, the social classes were improved greatly, and
freedoms were given fairly among the people. This is only one of many positive things the
revolution brought France.

Along with the new social structure, the French Revolution started the beginning of
democracy in France. The king and queen of France were unfit leaders who were another main
cause of the rebellion. They did little to help the people, and instead actually made more
problems for the country. They ignored the peoples demands, and made the already failing
financial situation even worse, due to their deficit spending. Thankfully, the rebellion brought the
downfall to King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, as well as the monarchy. Shortly after this, a
constitution was established and new rights and freedoms were available to the people. From
World History: Connections to Today, The convention that met in September 1792 was a more
radical body than earlier assemblies. It voted to abolish the monarchy and declare France a
republic. Deputies then drew up a constitution for France. After the reign of King Louis XVI
and Marie Antoinette, Napoleon rose up and took over France as a self-made emperor. He had a
republican rule, and favored the Jacobins way of government. A plebiscite was also established
under his rule, which allowed people to vote in a ballot. He kept France away from another
monarchy and began the transition into a democracy. The revolution brought the downfall of the
monarchy and started a new beginning of government for France, eventually forming into a
democracy.

Additionally, the revolution brought the people of France rights and freedoms, something
they did not get the opportunity to have. Equality, democracy, and freedom were all promoted by
France. Forming after the fall of the monarchy, the Declaration of Rights of Man was
established, which was a document of human rights. It granted the people the freedom of speech,
the press, religion, and ownership of property, all of which were not available before. From
http://thehistoryofnapoleon.blogspot.com, The French revolution introduced the rule of law in
the history of France. Before 1789, France had no constitution to safeguard peoples rights and
freedom. However, in 1791, the government enacted the constitution that was amended in 1793
and 1795. The constitution clearly separated the executive, the judiciary and legislature. The
constitution reduced the kings excessive powers. The limited freedoms and rights were another
factor in why the rebellion started. The people of France rebelled against the over controlling
government, and were finally granted with the freedoms they deserved at the end.

The French Revolution was overall a positive event that brought freedom, liberty, and
justice to the people of France. Before 1789, France had an unfair illogical social regime, a
failing monarchy, and not many freedoms or rights. The French grew tired of the failing state of
their country, causing the rebellion. After 1790, France was very different, due to the success of
the uprising that brought many needed changes. A more fair and reasonable social structure was
developed, and the third estate was no longer completely burdened with exceptionally high taxes.
The monarchy was also abolished, and the reign of Napoleon started the forming of a democracy
in France. And people were given freedoms and rights, established by constitutions that
developed in that time. The French Revolution brought all of this and more to France, and was
essential to Frances success.