The France
revolution that started in 1789 brought fundamental social, political and
economic changes in the history of France. The changes caused by the
revolution were both positive and negative in the history of France:
Positive impact:
1. Destruction of
social classes:
The French revolution destroyed the social discriminative
class system in France
and declared equality for all. The revolution came up with the equality and
career open to talents, i.e., appointment and promotion was to based on talents
and ability. This led to rise of middle class who had acquired education to
positions of responsibilities.
2. The rise of
Napoleon Bonaparte:
The French revolution contributed to the rise of Napoleon
Bonaparte to power without which he would have died a common man. It destroyed
the congregative class system and opened opportunity to talent peasants like Napoleon.
All the army generals were swept away during the reign of terror giving chance
to Napoleon to rise to power in France.
3. Declaration of
rights of man:
The fret revolution led to the declaration of rights of man
and citizens. The constitutional assembly / parliament came out with the
document of human rights. It granted political liberty, like freedom of speech,
press, association, worship and ownership of property. Although they were
abused during the reign of terror, they became foundation of freedom.
4. Revolutionary
ideas:
The revolution gave birth to the revolutionary ideas of
liberty, equality and fraternity. These ideas started in France and got spread to other areas like Italy,
German, etc. such ideas promoted equality, freedom and democracy and good governance.
This made France to be a
nursery bed of democracy in Europe.
5. Ended the rule of Bourbon Monarch.
The Bourbon monarch that had ruled France for over 400 years came to
end by the French revolution. The monarchy rule was abolished in 1792 and
replaced it with the Republican form of Government. Although the Bourbon monarch
was restored by the great powers after the downfall of Napoleon, it could not
survive beyond 1830 because the monarchs were already weakened by the changes
caused by the French revolution.
6. Rise of political
parties:
France
became a multiparty state as a result of the 1789 French revolution. The
freedom of association led to the rise of political clubs such as the Jacobins,
cordilliers, Giirondin Fauvillants that competed for power. These parties kept
the government under check and balance by criticizing bad policies.
However, these political parties caused reign of terror in France.
7. Parliamentary
Democracy:
The French revolution led to the revival of the parliament
which was abandoned for a period of over 175 years. The revolution gave France a
functional parliament with representatives who are democratically elected. The
French men were able to participate in the governing of their country.
8. Constitution and
rule of law:
The French revolution introduced the rule of law in the
history of France.
Before 1789, France
had no constitution to safeguard people’s 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 king’s excessive powers.
9. Land ownership
.The revolution brought new reforms and change on land
ownership in France.
Before the revolution, land was dominated by the clergy and the nobles who
exploited the peasants. The revolution brought change in the land tenure system
in France.
The idea of private ownership of land by every body was encouraged this
provided chance to peasants to own land. I.e., the church land was nationalized
and sold to peasants.
9. National Guard:
There was formation of National Guard that replaced the
royal guard of the Bourbon monarchy. National Guard was the revolutionary army
whose role was to protect the achievements of the French revolution. By the end
of 1793, there were about 700, 000 well trained and disciplined soldiers of the
National Guard that protected people and their property. This was one of the
great achievements of the revolution in France.
Negative impact
1. Loss of lives and property:
There was massive loss of lives
and destruction of property most especially during the reign of terror. There were heavy massacres of nobles, clergy
and other important people like King Louis, Marie Antoinette, Murato, Danton, Robespierre,
and Hotels like De- Ville were destroyed beyond repair during the course of the
revolution.
2. Led to reign of
terror:
The peaceful revolution that began on the 5th May
1789 changed into violence and causing reign of terror in France by 1792-1794. During this
period there was total breakdown of law and order, heavy massacres as people
were competing to kill in order not to be killed especially by the leaders of
political clubs.
2. Economic decline in France:
The revolution led to the general
decline in the level of economic activities. It hindered progress in
agriculture, trade, industrial sector, transport and communication especially
during the reign of terror. This led to unemployment, inflation, poverty,
starvation and famine.
3. The church and the state:
The revolution led to serous
conflict between the Catholic Church and the state. Before the revolution, the
Catholic Church and the state were inseparable. However, the declaration of the
civil constitution the clergy, nationalization of the church property and
removing privileges of the church led to poor relationship between the church
and the state.
4. Relationship with other states:
The revolution led to poor
relationship between France
and other states. Revolutionary ideas of the French revolution were great
threats to other powers and monarchs in Europe.
That is why Britain, Russia, Prussia,
Austria and other countries
allied g\against France
in order to prevent the spread of revolutionary ideas to their countries.