French Revolution - Constructive/destructive Impacts

How was the French Revolution both constructive and destructive? I.

II.

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Introduction a. FR had a number of impacts on France and the world b. Both constructive/destructive, must look at any strays from the previous norm (Old Regime) c. Evidence points: i. Constructive 1 – formed representative democracy, gave lower classes opportunity for power ii.Constructive 2 – significant advances in human rights (women, Jews, slaves) iii.Destructive – created society of power-crazed radical leaders who created Reign of Terror, broke foreign relations d. Must view from perspective of the majority of population – Third Estate (96%) Constructive 1 – Political/Social a. First step away from absolute monarchy was taken on June 17th, 1789, when Third Estate declared National Assembly (constitutional monarchy) b. Night of August 4th, 1789 – feudalism essentially destroyed c. Constitution of 1791 – allowed “active” citizens to vote d. Insurrection of August 10th, 1792 – suspended powers of Louis XVI e. Voting of members of National Convention was first universal male suffrage (September 1792) i. First act was to formally abolish monarchy (September 21st, 1792) f. Directory – formed by Constitution of 1795 i. Used system of checks/balances ii.Council of Five Hundred/Council of the Ancients composed of middle-class members g. Overall, the lower classes were given much more opportunity for power and equality than ever before Constructive 2 – Human Rights a. Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (August 27th, 1789) i. First formal document declaring 17 natural rights in the world b. Legislative Assembly legalized divorce (September 1792)

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i. First time women are granted a significant right – 70% of divorces during FR were initiated by women c. National Convention established equal rights for illegitimate children (November 1793) d. National Convention abolished slavery in colonies (February 4th, 1793) i. Rebel slaves allied with British/Spanish to campaign against slavery e. Legislative Assembly granted fully civic equality to Jews (September 1791) i. As opposed to other parts of Europe, where rights of Jews came gradually f. Rights of both genders and many ethnic/religious groups were pioneered Destructive a. FR did not have solely constructive impacts – some were destructive b. Jacobins i. Extremely radical group set on destroying all civil/political distinctions ii.Abandoned better judgment in many cases to accomplish goals c. War – declared on April 20th, 1792 i. Disagreed with Germany ii.First Coalition formed – Spain, Italy, Austria, Prussia, Britain, Holland all against France iii.Broke diplomatic ties with Britain after Louis XVI’s execution in 1793 d. Reign of Terror (1793-1794) – led by Jacobin-dominated terrorist government i. In 15 months, over 16,000 people were executed ii.Caused mass corruption in government iii.Power-crazed radical leaders – Maximilien Robespierre, Jacques Danton e. Directory (1795-1799) – full of corruption i. Basic food price inflation – over 1000% ii.France began imposing/indoctrinating revolutionary model of government on other nations Opposing Viewpoints

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a. Some might say that France’s newfound principles of equality were not constructive for all (only for Third Estate, destructive for other Estates) i. Third Estate is vast majority of population, must view events through lens of majority people b. Others might say that equality did not last i. That type of equality was the first of its kind in the world, so it is still constructive Conclusion a. Although the FR is known for its many constructive and beneficial impacts, it was not without its destructive impacts