Declaration of the Rights of Man 1789
The French revolution was a period of political upheaval and social change in France. The society went through an epic transformation. Amidst the crisis, the common French citizenry and the third estate had some demands on the eve of the revolution. The third estate was the poor people in France; the slave and servants. Before the revolution, their demands were that they have equal rights as the rest of the populace. They noted that neglect, ignorance, or contempt of their rights were the main causes of government corruption and public calamities. The third estate argued that, since they were a constituent of a complete French nation, they wanted genuine and equal representation in the government. They were of the opinion that their rights were just as vital as those of the first and the second estates. It is this quest for equality in rights that sparked the French revolution.
The French revolution was an era of fiscal, political and social change. Some of the events that influenced the direction of the revolution include the order to arrest, and imprison two Parisians who were opposed to the reforms that the government was putting up in the nation. There were judicial reforms abolishing their authority and mandate to review legislation. In June, there was a Parisian meeting that aimed at defying the government’s orders. The populace had an outcry over the reforms that the government had enforced over the period of the revolution. The court, despite the cry of the citizenry, did not have a sitting to review the needs and requirements of the people. There was a meeting between the Estates-General.
The meeting aimed at electing deputies for the generals, as well as increasing the influence of the third estate. This was a class of nationals that was rising rapidly, and their influence in the revolution echoed across the society. They were just as invaluable as the first and second estates. The resources in the country’s royal treasure were depleted, and the country stopped further payments on its loans.
There was bankruptcy in the foreign government. Following the announcement of their declining economic stability, there was a replacement in the country’s financial minister. The new minister released the individuals who had been arrested by the former for critiquing his leadership and management skills. There was a dismissal of the members of the Estates-General who refused to adjourn and convene for another session. The French nationals were urged to arm themselves and storm the Bastille. The third estate, calling themselves the commons, declare themselves the French revolution national assembly and kill thousands of people. The clash of the third estate and the other estates was a contributing factor to the development of the French revolution.
The radical stage, from 1792 through 1794, was the subtle stage of the revolution. The oppressed peasant and the third estate took inspiration from the enlightenment that was taking place in society. They rose up against the absolute monarch that was the French government. The third estate was feeling increasingly oppressed, and they required equal rights with the rest of the nationals. The revolution turned radical in the sense that the third estate was on the quest to propel the society towards equality. There were atrocities committed towards the French citizenry. There was growing violence from the populace, hence increase in the unrest from the population. The rise in the outcry of the population caused the revolution to move towards the radical stage from the moderate phase.
Napoleon was a son of revolution. To judge napoleon, one has to consider the world around him. It is the events that led to his leadership and the effects of his decisions that imply he was a son of revolution. He achieved the required education necessary in propelling him towards greatness and led the people of France to deliverance from the revolution. His actions were an indication that there was an importance in the meritocracy with which he ruled France. His rule spread republican ideology, which was ingrained, in the French revolution era. His actions were not consistent with republicanism, but were an indication of the position of power which he held. He made decisions and enforced reforms that would bring the French revolution to a close.
One of the main goals of the revolution was an equitable society, and Napoleon was in the position that delivered this goal to the citizens. The problems that arouse with the Catholic Church were abolished during his era. There was a meritocracy in the government, improved education systems, implementation of a civil code and reformation of the tax code. Although the people lost their republic when Bonaparte became emperor, they retained all the ideals for which they fought during the revolution. The Napoleonic rule tore down the kingdoms and aristocracies, and replaced them with nation states that brought a sense of belonging and pride to the French nationals. There was a sense of nationality amongst the people that brought them together.
