Although the French Revolution experienced both triumphs and setbacks, its accomplishments were overshadowed by the significant cost endured. The financial crisis and perceived incompetence of King Louis XVI, combined with the aristocracy’s apathy, incited anger among the French peasants. While this issue was acknowledged by all, there were varying perspectives on resolving it, leading to a multitude of successes and failures during this period. An emblematic failure was witnessed in the form of the Reign of Terror.
From September 1793 to July 1794, Robespierre and his followers carried out the Reign of Terror, also known as “The Terror,” in order to protect the Republic by identifying traitors. The Revolutionary Tribunal quickly sentenced many people to death by guillotine, while mobs ruthlessly killed others. While some were targeted for their political beliefs or actions, many were executed without clear justification, based solely on suspicion or personal motives.
Despite publicly advocating for democratic principles of liberty and equality, Robespierre utilized the Terror as a means to consolidate his own authority. He identified numerous individuals as potential threats and subsequently executed or incarcerated them. The period of Terror concluded only with Robespierre’s own execution via guillotine. Furthermore, the French Revolution proved unsuccessful in its endeavors to establish a constitutional monarchy or representative government.
From 1789 to the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, France underwent a transformation from absolute monarchy under Louis XVI to military rule. This period witnessed the rise of elected legislative bodies that became more radical and rigid as the Revolution advanced. These assemblies’ leaders prioritized their own interests and hunger for power, only considering the welfare of the people when it benefited them personally. Prominent individuals like Robespierre and later members of the Directory exploited the National Assembly to serve their own gain.
Positive changes resulted from the Revolution in France. While the sans-culottes of Paris did not see major improvements by 1799, rural peasants enjoyed certain advancements. In 1789, the government eliminated the previous privileges of lords and transferred a significant amount of church land to peasants after confiscating it and selling it to investors. Moreover, revisions were made to the taxation system in order to alleviate the burden on both peasants and other members of the Third Estate.
The National Assembly’s publication, the Declaration of the Rights of Man, states that all individuals are inherently free and equal according to the law. The Revolution brought notions of freedom, equality, and authority to numerous citizens while also instilling a revived sense of national pride. Moreover, it established the foundation for socialist ideologies that prioritize economic planning and minimizing disparities between the rich and poor.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, European politics were heavily impacted by these theories as well as the emergence of nationalism. Personally, I view The Revolution as a triumph. As Malcolm Forbes astutely stated, “Failure is success if we learn from it.” Although the French population may have taken their actions to extremes or perhaps not pushed far enough, their combined endeavors instilled both personal and national pride. Furthermore, these occurrences contributed to the formation of numerous essential ideas and theories that continue to hold relevance in today’s society.
