French Revolution: The Untold Dark Side Of History
Let’s deeply explore the consequences that led to the revolution but are you being told only one side of the story?
Content:
- Europe in the Early 1700s 2. Democracy & Social Hierarchy 3. King Louis XVI and His Reign 4. King Louis’ Wife 5. Left-Wing vs Right-Wing 6. Tennis Court Oath 7. March of Versailles 8. End of the King 9. Dark Side of the French Revolution 10. Was French Revolution a Failure? 11. Support Message
*This is by far my most researched, detailed, and time taken article. But was it all worth it? You tell in the comments and by supporting.*
Europe in the Early 1700s:
Europe before the French Revolution was characterized by social hierarchy, where the nobility and the clergy were considered at the top and the common people at the bottom. The social hierarchy was deeply ingrained in French society, and it was a major factor in shaping the political and economic condition of the country.
The social hierarchy was deeply affecting the common people. They were treated as second-class citizens and were forced to pay amount high taxes. On the contrary, the nobles and the clergy enjoyed privileges and exemptions from taxes that were denied to the common people, and the sad part is that common people gladly used to accept this hierarchy system, Why? Let’s discuss.
Democracy & Social Hierarchy:
Firstly understand what was social hierarchy use to be and how did the nobles enforce it on people?
The social hierarchy was based on the belief that some people are born to rule while others are born to serve. This system was reinforced by the church and the state, who used religion and propaganda to justify the system.
People used to believe in this hierarchy system because they were taught to believe that it was ordained by God, and whoever questions or goes against it they are going against God. They were also conditioned to fear and respect the nobles and the clergy.
But after a time, People started questioning this hierarchy in the late 18th century, during the Age of Enlightenment. The first person who presented the idea of the Enlightenment was the philosopher Voltaire. He advocated for reason, tolerance, and individual freedom. He proposed his idea that attracted many people who were treated as second-class and made them start reasoning.
Democracy started to rise as people began to demand more political representation and a say in the affairs of the state. The common people got frustrated with being oppressed by the nobility and the clergy, and they wanted a more equitable society. Famous philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu also supported democracy and the idea of Voltaire.
King Louis XVI and his Reign:
King Louis XVI was the king of France during the period of the French Revolution. He became king in 1774 at the early age of 20. He was a weak and indecisive ruler who became king due to inheritance. He was unable to manage the economic and political challenges of his time, and inflation was at its peak during his reign.
Inflation started during King Louis’s period, and it was caused by a combination of factors, including wars, poor harvests, and the government’s spending on extravagant projects. But mainly, the government’s financial mismanagement was responsible for the inflation.
Riots started among people as they became more frustrated with the economic conditions and the unfair tax system. Even though inflation was on the rise, the nobles were treated differently from the common people, and they were exempted from paying taxes or very little as compared to the common people.
King Louis’ initial steps to please his nation were to call for a meeting of the Estates-General, which was a representative assembly that included representatives from the nobility, clergy, and common people. The meeting was held to discuss the economic crisis, inflation, and the grievances of the common people. The Estate General meeting was held in 1789, and it ended in a deadlock between the different estates.
The common people strongly started to demand democracy as they became more frustrated with the injustice of the upper class, while the nobles and the clergy resisted any change. The nobles and clergy used to support each other if anything was presented by common people against them. As a result, common people began to organize and form their own political groups, which challenged the authority of the ruling class.
King Louis’ Wife:
King Louis’ wife was Marie Antoinette, who was known for her extravagance and love of luxury. She was seen as the decadence and excess of the ruling class.
Marie Antoinette was extremely spoiled and lived a lavish lifestyle. She spent vast amounts of money on clothes, jewelry, and parties, which further alienated her from the common people. She use to have a dress for every day of the year, and her hairs use to be styled as a ship, yes, you read that right.
People started hating King Louis and his wife because they were seen as symbols of the oppressive and decadent ruling class. They were blamed for the economic crisis and the suffering of the common people.
Left-Wing vs Right-Wing:
As the economic situation in France worsened and the taxes continued to burden the common people, they started to become increasingly rebellious toward King Louis XVI, blaming him for their suffering.
The terms left-wing and right-wing were first addressed during the time French Revolution, referring to the seating arrangement in the National Assembly. The left-wing favored radical change and social reform, while the right wing supported the preservation of traditional institutions and the monarchy.
The left-wing demanded a more democratic and equality-based society, with the abolition of privileges and the establishment of universal suffrage. The right-wing demanded the preservation of the monarchy, aristocratic privileges, and traditional institutions. The left-wing strongly stood upon their famous principles:
· Liberty
· Equality
· Fraternity
Tennis Court Oath:
Riots started to get stronger as the economic and social conditions got even worsened, and the common people became more vocal in their demands for change.
The revolution caught fire as more and more people joined the movement, demanding radical change and the establishment of a republic and democratic France. After disagreements with the king and the First and Second Estates (the clergy and the nobility), the National Assembly was locked out of their usual meeting place in the Palace of Versailles.
In response, they moved to a nearby indoor tennis court, known as the Jeu de Paume, where they pledged to continue their meetings and not disband until they had created a new constitution for France. This oath, taken by over 500 members of the National Assembly, became known as the Tennis Court Oath, and this made a turning point in the political situation.
March of Versailles:
The National Assembly, or the left-wing, gained more power as the revolution progressed, enacting radical reforms and overthrowing traditional institutions. They abolished feudalism, established the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, and confiscated Church lands.
The March of Versailles happened on October 5, 1789, the women, who were frustrated with the ongoing food shortages and high prices, were joined by some men and children as they marched approximately 12 miles from Paris to Versailles. They broke into the palace and demanded to see the king, they strongly blamed the king for the condition of the country.
After hours of negotiation, the king agreed to meet with a delegation of women and promised to provide more bread and to return with them to Paris. The king and his family left Versailles the next day and moved to the Tuileries Palace in Paris. They were kept under house arrest there. This meant big because the poor people realized their power and their revolutionary spirit went over the roof.
End of the King:
On August 10, 1792, the people of Paris stormed into the Tuileries Palace, where King Louis XVI and his family were residing, the people were riled up, and the king got in serious trouble.
King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette, were arrested and put on trial for betraying the country. They were eventually brutally executed by guillotine in 1793. The monarchy ended, and democracy prevailed, but let’s see the other side of the story.
Dark Side of the French Revolution:
The dark side of the French Revolution includes the Reign of Terror, where the revolutionary government, led by Maximilien Robespierre, used violent and brutal means to suppress dissent and eliminate perceived enemies of the revolution.
Atrocities committed by revolutionaries included the execution of thousands of people, including members of the clergy, aristocrats, and political opponents. They also brutally killed monarchies and their supporters, often in public executions.
Revolutionaries also fought in internal conflicts, including the War of the First Coalition against other European powers who opposed the revolution.
Was French Revolution a Failure?:
This is a matter of debate, but as I’ve perceived, the French Revolution was not a complete failure, as it succeeded in establishing a republic and enacting significant social and political reforms. However, it also had negative consequences, such as the Reign of Terror and the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte.
The ideas of the French Revolution, such as liberty, equality, and fraternity, had a profound impact on the whole world, inspiring other revolutionary movements and political changes.
But conclusively, the French Revolution was a pivotal moment in world history, marking a transition from the old order to the modern era. It was a complex and multifaceted event that had both positive and negative consequences, it is still admired by many, and its legacy continues to be felt to this day.
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