French Revolution Dbq

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The French Revolution is often described as the Revolution of France and developed over several decades in the mid to late 1700?s. The leadership of mid 18th century France has been described as a Monarchal King reigning by the grace God with absolute power over the people, economy, and politics of the Empire.[footnoteRef:1] The decades following the Seven Years War and King Louis? XVI quest to restore the glory of the French Empire through wars ultimately devastated the French economy. Many historians state the attempts of the King to further tax the people and subjugate the church were significant influences in the Revolution of the French. Thomas Carlyle believed that revolution and anarchy are the products of the Social Contract.[footnoteRef:2] …show more content…

The French Revolution was an uprising against a violation of the individuals? way of life. The bankruptcy of the monarchy by King Louis XVI ultimately disrupted the stability of the social, cultural, and religious structure throughout the region. It was this instability that led to the collapse of what had been a stable and powerful political and social structure for centuries. [4: . Bradley C. Thompson,. "John Adams and the Coming of the French Revolution." Journal of the Early Republic 16, no. 3 (1996): 362-63. …show more content…

The writings, philosophies, and theoretical debates among the educated and aristocrats may have small provoking influences but it is the disruption of the individual?s livelihood that is the required source. A publication will create vigorous discussion and debate but take away a bread maker?s ability to bake, destroy the churches and remove religious rights, or force communities into starvation and that is the true trigger of a revolution. In my reflection I would further suggest that had the leadership in France been more fiscally responsible and more responsive to the outcries of the people, the revolution may never have occurred. Many historians believe the revolutionaries wanted to work harmoniously with Louis XVI and were apposed to violent upheavals.[footnoteRef:5] The month of October 1789 may have been one of the most devastating errors in leadership ever committed by a political figure. [5: . R.R Palmer, The Age of Democratic Revolution: A Political History of Europe and America, 1760-1800. The Challenge. (Princeton: Princeton University Press,