Give a short summary of French Revolution
The French Revolution was a milestone episode in modern European history. It began in the year 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. All through that time, residents of France were levelling and restructuring their country’s administrative landscape, uprooting centuries-old foundations such as sheer monarchy and the feudal system. The turmoil was caused due to extensive discontent with the monarchy and the pitiable economic policies of King Louis XVI. The French Revolution played a critical role in shaping modern nations by showing its goals and at times disintegrated into a chaotic bloodbath. The social and political structure of France was completely changed due to this revolution. It came to an end to the French feudalism, monarchy and took political power from the Catholic Church. It brought new ideas to Europe including liberty and freedom for the commoner as well as the abolishment of slavery and the rights of women. These new ideas continued to influence Europe and helped to shape many of Europe’s modern-day governments.
Before the French Revolution, the people of France were divided into social groups called “Estates.” The First Estate included the clergy (church leaders), the Second Estate included the nobles, and the Third Estate. Most of the taxes were used to be paid by third estate people, while the nobility lived lives of luxury and got all the high-ranking jobs. Many of the new political ideas and alliances of the French Revolution were formed in political clubs. They were called Jacobin Club, the Feuillants, the Cordeliers, and the Pantheon Club.
The democratic rights and right to liberty were the most important heritage of the French revolution. This spread from France to the rest of Europe during the 19th century, where feudal systems were abolished. Later, these ideas were adopted by Indian revolutionary strugglers like Tipu Sultan and Raja Rammohan Roy.