Tale Of Two Cities After Effects Of The French Revolution

“Liberty, equality, fraternity, or death; - the last, much the easiest to bestow, O Guillotine!” Thus states Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities in a reference to the French Revolution. Although Dickens did not experience the Revolution firsthand, his words sum it up so well that we can assume that he experienced the after-effects of it throughout the whole of his lifetime. The French Revolution lasted 10 years - only a blink of time in the context of centuries - but the effects of it carried on for hundreds of years and successfully revolutionized France and eventually Europe. The French Revolution arose due to a failing economy, an ignorant and unsympathetic monarchy, and a long-suppressed people. The government of France at the time was the way it had been for centuries. It favored the monarchy and encumbered the people and by the late 1700s, the people had had enough. Due to the 10 years that ensued after the legendary storming

The government and political system was the main reason for the French people’s oppression. Once they had stripped it of its power they were on their way to a political reformation. This also led to the promotion of individual rights all over the country - and Europe by extension. The principles were outlined and proposed by the people in the constitution titled “Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen''. This document eventually became the basis of future French Republics and served to form as a constitutional law. It promoted freedom of speech, freedom of press, rights of ownership and association of land, and freedom of religion. It demolished certain discriminating systems and stripped the aristocracy of their power which in turn greatly influenced and inspired political and social reform throughout the surrounding countries. It also paved the way for Napoleon Bonaparte’s rise to power without whom we would have a very different modern