Another valid instance of a justified war is a revolution born of civilian frustration with corrupt rulers. Even though force is necessary, rebellions are traditionally not tools to cause destruction, but instead to promote improvement and rejuvenation. This concept is demonstrated in the political and social upheaval in France from 1789 to 1802. Although there is no exact cause for the French revolution, it can be attributed to a variety of similar and connected factors including: a new philosophical movement, the rise of the bourgeoisie, and internal financial, political, and economic disasters (Shovlin). Some of these causes can be directly tied to Louis XVI’s failures as king; for example, despite the middle class’ discouragement, he insisted on raising taxes and …show more content…
A combination of these problems caused liberal assemblies and right-wing monarch supporters to face struggles and signaled the outbreak of the revolution. After extensive internal turmoil and several French victories in external revolutionary wars, the king of France, Louis XVI, was executed. Following his death, the citizens continued to struggle under their government and, with pushes from leaders of the aforementioned uprising, the Committee of Public Safety launched an attack on citizens. From 1793 until 1794, this dictatorship conducted the Reign of Terror to establish price controls, expel religious figures and execute a large number of civilian detractors (Matusitz). Some historians and critics view this as a negative consequence of warfare and as an example of a progressive agenda pushed too far; however, I think it was both unavoidable and inevitable in order to allow the full revolution to take place. Admittedly, many of their strategies and policies, specifically assigning a death sentence to political dissenters, were far too harsh and