French Revolution Research Paper

From a person cheering for their nation's team in sport games to a devoted soldier fighting in some war for their country, nationalism is something exhibited everywhere in people's daily lives. Nationalistic feelings can determine loyalty as well as collective and personal identity, and have the power to evoke powerful responses. Some oppose the whole concept, claiming it is responsible for genocide, human rights violations and other global armed conflicts today. Another argument is that some of the world's concerns, such as poverty and environmental issues, can only be resolved through cooperative internationalism. Others, however, point out the beneficial role of nationalism in forming nation-states, like France and America, and development

Social factors are something that have influence on individual’s lifestyle, objectives, beliefs, and interaction with other people. Radical social reforms which took place during the French Revolution created the sense of collective consciousness and feelings of nationalism for the nation. France used to be an absolute monarchy and a feudal society that greatly favoured the aristocracy and the Roman Catholic Church. The king expected his people to be loyal to them, rather than to themselves, as a nation. One of the factors that sparked the revolution is the “Ancien Regime”, the division of the French society imposing inequality upon its citizens. The bottom Third Estate suffered from heavy tax burden, unemployment, scarcity of food, lack of rights and political power. They united with the shared connection of despising the monarchy, and the First and Second Estate for their exalted privileges, and strongly desired equality. The bourgeoisie especially, were voicing the demand of change, as they were educated and had higher literacy among them. Also, majority of them were merchants, providing them the opportunities to get informations concerning other countries. For example, the traders heard about how in Britain the authority of the monarch had been overthrown and limited. These bourgeoisie came back to France and shared this insight with the civic, changing their

It was the social elements that were the underlying stimulus to all the reforms, revolutions and wars, molding the base for nationalist feelings of French individuals today. Commonly, the relationships among people in a society are identified as the social factors. These may include whether someone should be considered important or not, who should be leading, and those that must be included or excluded. Also very significantly, social influences control how groups should resolve conflicts and overcome challenges. Through French Revolution, the whole social structure of France was altered. Before, citizens were merely subjects to the monarchy, and bound by distinctions in classes since birth. After the revolution and creation of democratic government, French people had greater rights, freedom and voices, as pursued with their slogan of “liberty, equality fraternity”. They were able to look for themselves and their goals as a nation, now that the power was dispersed and not solely in the hands of the king and the Catholic Church. The rights of the citizens and constitutions that expressed the French people’s new ruling principles were clearly drew out. Citizens seeked out their legislative bodies and national government for guidance, no longer to a king or the nobility. All of these things developed common identity for the people, who