The French Revolution Essay -- European Europe History

The French RevolutionThe French Revolution is one of the major variations in Europeanhistory. The revolution marks a turning point in French history and inworld history in general. Forms of government, morals, ideologies, andsocial development were greatly touch by this event in all Europe and even in the United States.The beginning of the French Revolution is generally dated fromJune, 1789. However, the crisis in governmental and economic affairs in France inthat stage was so great that social unrest, rioting, and rebellion werecommon for two years before. The end of the revolutionary period wasmarked by the establishment of the Empire by Napolean in 1804.The basic causes of the French Revolution were rooted in therigidities of French society in the eighteenth century. Lines of distinctionbetween classes were tightly drawn, and opportunites for socialadvancement were very few. The economy was not growing as fast as itshould have been. Then involve of an increasing populati on were not beingmet. Governmet was inefficient and unrepresentative. Economic problemsmade the heavy tax exempt but neary so, while the peasents and middleclasses were subjected to greater and greater burdens. Crops falied, andtrade was stagnant. The people could no longer be taxed, but thegovernment faced bankruptcy unless new revenues were found. The onlysoulution was to tax the privileged classes. But they were jealoous oftheir privileged posistion. Altought they were not completely unwilling tocontribute some additional taxes, they never understood how grave theeconomis crisis was. They say the crises as only some form of monetarycorruption that could be explained away by firing the kings finac... ...tion of his enemies and was rampant, war wasat the doorstep, and bread riots were common. The tide turned in anotherdirection, and a stronger executive position in the form of the Dierctory(1795-1799) was set up. A five-man committe ruled the country. Meanwhile,Napolean was making his name famous by his military success. Napoleonallied with two directors in the Directory and with his btoher Lucien, whowas chairperson of the Council of Five Hundred, and assembly under theDirectory. On Nov. 9, 1799, in the Coup dEtat de Brumaire heoverthrewthe government. A form of government modeled on the old Roman reference was established. Napoleon was elected first consul for ten years. By 1804Napolean assumed the title of emperor, and absoulute monarachy was revied.Bibliography Microsoft Encarta, 1997 Sucdus Som Sibro Universal World Reference Enclopedia