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Explain the phases of the French Revolution.

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The French Revolution was the greatest event of the modern age. It was not only an internal event of France but also an international revolution. It not only affected the French society but the whole humanity was affected by this. After centuries, there came a respect for human values, medieval feudal system was shaken up and democracy started replacing the monarchy. The concept of liberty, equality and fraternity was spread everywhere.

The French Revolution started in 1789 A.D. and lasted till the decline of Napoleon.

Its different phases are given ahead :

1. Tennis Court and the Fall of Bastille. On 14th July 1789, angry mob attacked the Bastille prison at Paris. This prison was the symbol of the autocratic powers of monarchy. On the same day, the king ordered the army to enter the city. A rumour spread that the king was about to order the army to fire the people. So, around 7000 men and women assembled in front of the town hall. They organised a public army. In search of arms, they forcibly entered the public buildings. So, hundreds of people stormed into the prison of Bastille where they expected lot of arms and ammunition. In this conflict, the commander of Bastille died. Political prisoners were released although they were only seven in number. Fortress of Bastille was destroyed.

2. Constitutional Monarchy in France (National Assembly). The French king Louis XVI got afraid on seeing the power of his subjects. So, he gave sanction to the National Assembly and accepted to limit his powers by the Constitution. In 1791, the National Assembly prepared the sketch of Constitution. It major objective was to limit the powers of king. Now powers were divided among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. So, powers were not concentrated in few hands. Consequently, the Constitutional Monarchy was established in France.

3. Reign of Terror-Jacob in Clubs. The members of the Jacobin Clubs belonged mainly to the less prosperous sections of society. They included small shopkeepers, pastry cooks, shoemakers, printers, daily wage workers etc. Their leader was Maximilian Robespierre. The period from 1793 to 1794 is known as the Reign of Terror. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. All those who were seen as the enemies of Republic eg nobles and clergy, members of other political parties, even members of his own party who did not agree with his methods, they were arrested, imprisoned and then tried by a revolutionary tribunal. If they were found guilty, they were guillotined. Robespierre pursued his policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand moderation. That’s why his reign is known as the Reign of Terror.

4. The Directory Rules France. After the fall of Jacobin’s government, National Assembly, in 1795 A.D., formed a Constitution for France. Under this Constitution, the rule of France was given in the hands of Directory. On 26 October, 1795, the first meeting of the Directory was called and with this, the National Convention got dissolved. Directory ruled on France for four years. During these four years, it faced a number of problems. The political failure of Directory paved way for the emergence of military dictator Napoleon Bonaparte.

5. The Period of Napoleon. In 1799, Napoleon overthrew the government of Directory and became the First Council. He got dictatorial powers. Then he conducted plebiscite and 99.9% voters voted in his favour. He won a number of wars and was able to do peaceful treaties with his enemies.

All this proved that he was an able dictator. From 1799 to 1804, he implemented many reforms.

  • He abolished all the privileges based on birth. He established equality before law and secured the right to property.
  • He simplified the administrative divisions, abolished the feudal system and freed peasants from serfdom and manorial dues.
  • He removed guild restrictions in the towns.
  • He introduced uniform laws, standardised weights and measures and a common national currency.
  • He made Napoleonic code of conduct.

6. Napoleon Became King. By 1804, Napoleon was seemingly not satisfied with the post of First Council. So, he again conducted plebiscite and got the right to do what he wanted. In December, 1804, he declared himself as the king of France.

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