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French Revolution: Causes, Effects, Summary | French Revolution UPSC Notes

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

French Revolution was a pivotal revolution in modern European history that started in 1789 and lasted till 1799. It marked the beginning of democracy, bringing enlightenment principles and creating an egalitarian and rational society. It was responsible for political and social upheaval in France and its colonies. The French Revolution influenced the decline of the absolute monarchy in Europe. Thus, the French Revolution was a watershed event in the history of the world and lasted for almost 10 years, and 6 months.

The major outcome of the French Revolution was the abolishment of the old regime and the composition of a constitutional monarchy, along with the declaration of the French First Republic in September 1792. In this article, you will learn about the causes and effects of French Revolution, its summary, the role of women, and its impact on France and other countries of the world.

What is French Revolution?

French Revolution was a period of social and political upheaval in France against the unbiased rule of the kings, clergies, and nobles by the third estate (lower class). This revolution put forth the ideas of fraternity, equality, and liberty.

French Revolution UPSC Notes

The French Revolution shook the world and marked social, political, fundamental, and economic changes. The Revolution unified France and improved the strength of the nation-state. It played a crucial role in launching democratic societies such as elections, representative government, and constitutions.

French Revolution Summary

The French Revolution was one of the essential revolutions in history that changed the world’s social, political, economic, and intellectual ideology. The basic overview of the French Revolution is as follows:

French Revolution Overview
Started 5 May 1789
Duration 10 years, 6 months, and 4 days
Location Kingdom of France
Ended 9 November 1799

Causes of French Revolution

The French Revolution resulted from the inherent contradiction within French society because of political, social, religious, intellectual, and economic reasons. The leading French Revolution causes and effects are explained thoroughly below.

French Revolution: Social Causes

Social factors like the inequalities among individuals led to the idea of revolt, which turned into the French Revolution. There was a reservation of the higher posts for the Feudals in civil and military. There was a reservation of 60% land for them ( their population was less than 1%), and the poor were compelled to work as the bounded laborers on the lands owned by the Feudal.

Because religion impacted people and the King, the next privileged class was the Clergy, who owned ⅕ of the land in France. Their land was exempted from all taxes. At last, there were the ordinary people who were at the bottom rung of the social ladder. They were bounded to pay ⅘ taxes. Not only this, but they were bonded laborers.

Intellectual Causes of French Revolution

Various intellectual people created influence among people in the 18th century Montesquieu’s book Spirit of law criticized the Monarchy. So, it has become popular among the masses. Not only did it criticize the Monarchy, but it also supported parliamentary democracy. Free, another economic reformist, supported the reform by advocating trade, agricultural, and business reforms.

But the French Revolution turned towards the clergy section of society after Voltaire, an atheist, began questioning the Monarchy and religious corruption in the society. He spread the thinking that there must be limited Monarchy and that the Burbo must be overthrown.

  • And people were blown by his thoughts. His thoughts were celebrated and implemented throughout.
  • Another political philosopher, Rousseau, criticized the hypocrisy of the clergies and the corruption among them.
  • He also propounded the concept of liberty, people’s sovereignty, the right to pass the law, social contract, creative change, etc.

French Revolution: Political Causes

There was already a hatred for the Clergies and the upper class. They didn’t pay any tax and were out of restrictions. Clergies had control over common people’s life. This utter dominance of the upper class over the common people became an outrageous reason for the French Revolution. Even there was a revolt against the Roman Catholics and their monopoly.

Economic Causes of French Revolution

The state’s farming was not going well, and the government didn’t make any effort. Instead, the farmers were exploited, making them go against the feudal. Along with this, the unsatisfied merchants were fed up with the practice of paying uncertain taxes. Because of the burden of taxes, the people were becoming bankrupt. It resulted in moral, societal, and economic stagnation in society.

Political Causes of French Revolution

Political causes of French Revolution were the major cause for igniting the fire of revolt in France. The nation was under the rule of the Bourbon dynasty. It alienated all the sections of society against the centralized power. Along with this, legal jeopardy, defective judiciary, Imperial conquest, and economic burden boosted the aggressiveness that became the reason for the revolt.

Also, in 1774, the nation was under the rule of Louis XVI, but under his rule, the financial situation worsened. As a result, troops were sent to assist the Americans in the war against Britain.

Timeline of French Revolution

The French Revolution was a series of events divided into 5 essential stages. These include the meeting of the Estate Generals, the revolution, the Declaration of Rights of the Man, the Reign of Terror, and the end of the French Revolution. The timeline of French Revolution is illustrated further:

1789: The meeting of the Estate Generals

In 1789, the Nobility clergy and the middle class of the French were represented by the Estates-General Assembly. Louis XVI called its representatives to discuss the new tax measures in May 1789. During this time, the ordinary people of France had already gathered the support to be one of the decision-making bodies. They were in demand to get voting rights. Middle-class people supported this decision. They were in favor of judicial and political reforms.

Perhaps the nobles condemned this demand as they did not want to give up on their luxurious privileges. As a result, the third estate (the ordinary people of the society) formed the National Assembly. The members of the Assembly took the Tennis Court oath in June 1789. They vowed to remain undispersed in all the reforms initiated. As a result of the circumstances developed, all three assemblies were absorbed into the new order.

1789-92: The Revolution

After the assemblies were merged into one, the National Assemblies continued to work as such in Versailles. However, the nation was gripped by fear and violence during this time. As a result of this, there was an insurgency in France that took Bastille fortress on July 14, 1789. After this, the French Revolution marked its beginning.

The revolt took a wave of revolutionary fervor throughout the countryside. The ordinary people burnt and saw the homes of the aristocrats, and the tax collectors compelled the nobles to leave the place in masses. In the history of the French Revolution, this period was called the Great Fear. At last, on August 4, 1789, the National Assembly was finally blown to feudalism.

1789: The Declaration of Rights of the Man

After feudalism, the Assembly adopted the Rights of Man and that of the Citizen. The democratic principles were the basis for the charter of the Assembly. Apart from this, it draws its basis from the political and philosophical ideas of the enlightenment thinkers like Jena-Jacques Rosseau.

Later in September 1791, the French Constitution was adopted, limiting the King’s power. But it was not enough for the more radical assembly members.

Read:

1793-95: The Reign of Terror

Louis XVI was arrested by a group of insurgents who attacked the royal residence in Paris on August 10, 1792. Also, a lot of people were massacred in Paris. After this event, National Convention replaced the Legislative Assembly, proclaimed the abolition of the Monarchy, and established the Republic of France.

But one major event during this period was the death of King Louis XVI on January 21, 1793. However, it didn’t end up here. Instead, Marie Antoinette, the wife of King Louis XVI, was executed after nine months. This marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror. It became one of the most violent and turbulent phases of the French Revolution. Robespierre controlled the National Convention and was executed for counter-revolutionary activities and suspected treason. This phase ended after Robespierre’s execution on July 28, 1794.

1795: Directory and the Rise of Napoleon

In 1795, The National Convention approved creating the new Constitution. This Constitution was the basis for creating France’s bicameral legislature. The parliament formed a five-member group called the Directory. Also, an army was groomed under General Napoleon Bonaparte. The army has a lot of powers than the Directory. Napoleon appointed himself as the “first consul.” After this, the French Revolution was over, resulting in the Napoleonic era’s beginning.

Role of Women in the French Revolution

The condition of women in France was not different from the rest of the world. They were not allowed to get an education or practical training. However, the daughters of rich people or the nobleman of society can get an education. The lower-class women had to work for a living, but their daily wages were low compared to the men. Also, women were responsible for the household and caring for children.

But, the women of the society turned the tables during the war and became active participants. They started the Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women, which became one of the most famous political clubs. Later, in 1791, in the French Constitution, women were designated as passive citizens. But they fought for their rights and demanded the right to vote.

  • They successfully transformed their status in society at the end of the revolution.
  • The government made laws for women.
  • Special schools were established, and education was made compulsory for all girls.
  • Also, the women were not forced into marriage, and they legalized divorce.
  • Not only this, women got the right to run small businesses and were allowed to be artisans.

Significance of French Revolution

The French Revolution changed France’s social, political, fundamental, and economic sections. Below are a few of the significant impacts of the French Revolution on France:

  • End of the social divide: Before the French Revolution, society was divided based on class. Still, the French Revolution destroyed social discrimination and declared equality for all. The end of the social division led to the rise of the middle class, which was responsible for shaping society.
  • Political Parties: Because of the involvement of many countries with different political thinking in the French Revolution, France became a multiparty state. It leads to the freedom of association, giving rise to political clubs like Cordeliers, Jacobins, etc. There is competition for power among these parties. They keep a check on the government and critique a bad policy.
  • Declaration of Rights of Man: Political liberty, like the freedom of speech, association, press, ownership of property, and worship, was granted by the documents passed by the Constitutional Assembly.
  • End of Monarchy: For more than 400 years, France was under the Bourbon Monarchy rule. But after the French Revolution, the Monarchy’s rule ended in 1792. The Republican form of government replaced it. However, the rule was restored after the failure of Napoleon’s power. Perhaps it lasted till 1830 because of the weakening of the Monarchy by the French Revolution.
  • Birth of Revolutionary Ideas: The French Revolution resulted in the beginning of revolutionary ideas of fraternity, equality, and liberty in France. Thus, France became the democratic birthplace. Later, the wave of revolutionary ideas hit countries like Germany and Italy, and they began promoting freedom, equality, democracy, and good governance.
  • Constitution and Rule of Law: Before the French Revolution took place, there was no constitution to secure people’s freedom and rights. But, with the end of the French Revolution, the rule of law in the Constitution was introduced in France. After the introduction of the Constitution, there was a separation of the legislature, the executive, and the judiciary.
  • Parliamentary Democracy: After the French Revolution, the parliament was revived. France’s parliament was abandoned for more than 175 years, but the revolution resulted in the functioning of the parliamentary system, whose members are elected democratically.
  • Land ownership: Before the French Revolution, the nobles and the clergy dominated the land. But after the revolution ended, there were a lot of changes related to land ownership in France. Along with this, it brought new reforms to French society. Because of this, the working classes get the right to possess the land.
  • National Guard: The royal guard was responsible for the protection of the Bourbon monarchy. After the revolution, it got replaced by the revolutionary army called as National Guard. It was responsible for protecting the achievements of the French Revolution.

Effects of French Revolution on the World

French Revolution not only impacted France but had a significant influence on the world. Many countries got inspired and gave birth to new ideologies. Because of the French Revolution, the ruling Monarchy was opposed worldwide. Also, it spread the wave of liberalism and equality.

The French Revolution radically changed the social and political system of the 18th century. Along with this, the revolution ended feudalism and introduced democratic principles, individual freedom, and equality of life.

French Revolution UPSC

French Revolution was an important event in history that was responsible for creating an impact on France and other parts of the world. It was a period of extreme political and societal shift in France that started with the Estates General of 1789 and terminated with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799. We have curated UPSC Free Material for the convenience of students preparing for the IAS examination which incorporates all the relevant topics with detailed information.

It is advised that students learn about the causes and effects of French Revolution, and its consequences, and summary in depth. You must download French Revolution UPSC notes from this article to have a complete understanding of the topic. You can refer to History Books for UPSC to get ahold of the concept and other historical events.

UPSC Questions on French Revolution

Question 1: The French Revolution is the most important for changing subjects for citizens. Does this statement emphasize the shift from? (1) Religious traditions to secular values, (2) Divine rights rule people’s participation in government, (3) Rural lifestyles to urban lifestyles, (4) Private property ownership to government ownership.
Answer: Divine right rule to people’s participation in government

Question 2: Which issue was a cause of the French Revolution? (1) Ineffective rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, (2) Nationalization of the Church, (3) Outrage over the use of the guillotine by the Committee of Public Safety, (4) The demand of the Third Estate for more political power.
Answer: Demand of the Third Estate for more political power

Question: Consider the following statements with respect to the French Revolution: I) At the time of the French Revolution, Habsburg kings were ruling France. II) Before the French Revolution, French society was divided into three estates. III) Before the French Revolution, both clergy and state levied taxes on common people. Which is correct? (A) Only 2 and 3, (B) Only 1 and 2, (C) Only 1, (D) All of the above
Answer: Only 2 and 3

Question: Who was the first emperor of France? (A) Charlemagne, (B) Louis XIV, (C) Matel, (D) Napoleon
Answer: Napoleon

Mains 2020 Question: The causes of the French Revolution of 1789 included long-term and structural factors and more immediate events.” Critically examine.

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