French Republic - is one of the first countries in Europe, which has abolished the traditional monarchical form of government, and thus gave rise to large changes in the public consciousness of the people of many countries.
economic background of the French Revolution
to the emergence of the French Republic brought a revolution, which lasted from 1789 to 1794 years.The causes of the revolution can be regarded as a deep social and economic crisis that hit France at the moment.The country has predominated absolute monarchy, and she could not solve all the problems by protecting only the interests of the privileged elite of society.History of France, has always been the history of the royal government, but by 1789 it was clear that more can not continue.Large landed aristocracy ruled the country, there was a huge number of peasants who are economically dependent on feudal lords.Meanwhile, began the development of industrial production, workers were needed for the plants.Liberty, Equality, Fraternity French understood as an opportunity for the common man to work not only in the village but also in the city.
Besides, the peasants continued to be ruined, while the monarch and his entourage emptied the coffers for their entertainment.This fact caused great discontent among the people.
spiritual background of the French Revolution
French Revolution was prepared by the works of the Enlightenment of the eighteenth century.Philosophers such as Voltaire and La Rochefoucauld, were preaching the outstanding qualities of the human mind.They believed that the main point of transformation of society - this is freedom, fraternity and equality.All people should have equal rights, no matter what class they are and what their financial condition.Non-operation of one of the other people, the abolition of serfdom - these are the basic principles that propelled the French Enlightenment.
driving forces of the revolution
French Revolution was prepared by three major forces.The first of these can be considered as the French peasants, which was very hard to pay feudal duties, the second is considered the city's population - artisans, workers, in general, the working people.The third force can be considered as the bourgeoisie, who controlled the industry and engage in business.All of them joined the French motto "Liberty, Fraternity, Equality."
All these forces were united in the fact that the king should be removed from power and give the people a constitution, which would be indicated by human and civil rights.But there were differences.Thus, representatives of the bourgeoisie believed that freedom, brotherhood and equality are good up to a point, and then you can begin to focus capital and wealth in a few hands.
course of the revolution.States General
King Louis XVI decided that, due to the difficult financial and economic situation in the country, to assemble the States General, and tasked the minister Necker.May 5, 1789 they were assembled, led by Minister of Mirabeau.He believed that the slogans of the French Revolution may scare most of the population, so it is necessary to go to the union of the king, the clergy and the people.But then it turned out that the king does not want to make concessions and to carry out reforms.Moreover, he tried to disperse the States General, which by that time have turned to the National Assembly.French motto "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" was suitable not for everyone.
As the minister has refused to dismiss Mirabeau meeting in Paris were introduced foreign troops, consisting of German and Swiss mercenaries.He was sacked minister Necker, and this prompted the beginning of a large-scale popular uprising."Liberty, Fraternity, Equality!" - Shouted the Parisians, who wanted to overthrow the omnipotent monarch.
Bastille
July 14, 1789 is considered to be an outstanding date in the history of France.On this day, to storm the prison, that is, the Bastille, the Parisians went eight with them were two Russian.
Bastille prison was considered initially for aristocrats, but later, during the time of Louis XVI, made of it a regular prison.Its feature was tolerable conditions of detention, prisoners here were able to operate and read.Basically, the Bastille was empty - at the time of taking it contained only seven prisoners.
Bastille was everywhere hailed as a triumph of freedom and justice.Many believed that freedom, brotherhood, equality, after the destruction of the prison has finally come true.
Triumph of the Republic
At that time, the municipality of Paris was canceled, and the city began to rule the Commune, which believed that the subject only to the National Assembly.Under the pressure of the masses in August, members of the clergy and the nobility renounced their privileged status.August 26 there was the famous Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.Liberty, fraternity, equality became its key concepts.To recognize the free will of each individual, their right to self-determination.Many taxes have been abolished, and peasants breathe freely.Abolished mandatory tithes and feudal tax payment.
King Louis XVI became a hostage of the new authorities, and his brother and other members of the French nobility had emigrated.June 20th, 1791 the royal family tried to flee abroad for a coach, but failed, and it was brought back.
overthrow of the monarchy and the reign of
In the August 1792 elections were held in the National Convention, the atmosphere was troubled.September 20 was his first meeting, and the first same decree abolished the monarchy.
Soon King Louis was executed, and the war began in France with other countries."Liberty, equality, fraternity" - counter to these inscriptions like to see at the people of other countries.On the first of February, France went to war with Britain.British Minister William Pitt the Younger started the economic blockade of France, and this affected the state of the country.In France, the famine and the uprising against the military mobilization.Then he began to quarrel with each other Jacobins and the Girondins, the two parties in the Convention.One of the leading revolutionaries Danton created the Committee of Public Safety, who a few years to effectively address economic and political issues.
Peasant Reform
In 1792, the Convention initiated a major reform of the redistribution of land to the peasants.Farmers received and other privileges.They realized that the main motto of the French Republic - is to help the working people of town and agricultural workers.All feudal obligations were abolished, estates nobility immigrants were divided into small plots and sold, so that they could buy even a not very well-off peasants.This reform is tightly linked with the revolution of the peasants, and they no longer dream of the restoration of the monarchy.
Land reform was the most resistant in French history, and the new administrative division of the French left for a long time, while the central vertical of power was unstable.
Further changes in the power structure of France
In 1794 the country was ruled by Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety.Robespierre executed Hebert and other revolutionaries.July 27 Robespierre's regime was liquidated, and he was sent to the guillotine.
convention was broken up in 1795, and the Cavaliers emigrants began to look for ways to return to their homeland.Liberty, Equality, Fraternity French understood them as an opportunity to regain part of its former power.
28 October 1795 came into existence a new French Republic.It was led by the director.At that time, France waged aggressive war in Europe, and the director was trying to find the funds to continue the war.
At the end of 1795 Count Barras attracted to suppress the uprising in Paris, the young General Napoleon Bonaparte.Bonaparte believed that "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity" - is the slogan of the French populace, which must be silenced.His brother - Lucien Bonaparte - was an intelligent and far-sighted politician who helped Napoleon to seize power.
October 16 Napoleon troops arrived in Paris, and it was considered that the symbols of the French Revolution.Therefore, he was greeted with enthusiasm.During the reign of Napoleon in France directory created around a series of satellites that supported the regime prevailing there.The country became larger, and at its head a new strong leader - Napoleon Bonaparte.
meaning of the French Revolution was that it finally overthrew the feudal system and helped reign of capitalism.It was the strongest shock of the eighteenth century, and with its help were achieved radical transformation of the social system of the country.
