SECTION XI. - THE FRENCH REVOLUTION - Significance of the Revolution

Sep 21, 2026

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Manual study text on contemporary civilization explains the French Revolution as the decisive event in Western history, culminating centuries of institutional and intellectual change after feudal medieval Europe. It outlines three stages from 1789–1792 constitutional monarchy, 1792–July 1794 the Jacobin period, and 1795–1799 upper-middle class control before Napoleon’s military dictatorship. The narrative evaluates causes, reforms, and broader European repercussions, then introduces the pre-revolution ancien régime: absolute monarchy, social structure, taxes, and political conditions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLiterature

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Pages18

Reading Time28 min

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SECTION XI. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

1. Significance of the Revolution

2. THE ANCIEN RÉGIME IN FRANCE

MANUAL FOR THE STUDY OFCONTEMPORARY CIVILIZATION The Development of Western Institutions and Ideas Prepared by the Contemporary Civilization Staffof Columbia College PART ONE # SECTION XI. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION 1.Significance of the Revolution3 2.The Ancien Régime in France4 5 3.The National Assembly 4.The Republic6 7 ## 5.Napoleon # SECTION XII. ROMANTICISM AND REACTION 1.Reaction and the Congress of Vienna 9 2.Attempt of the 01d Aristocracy toMaintain Its Victory9 3.The Philosophies of Conservatism 11 L ## 1.SIGNIFICANCE OF THE REVOLUTION The French Revolution is thegreat event in western history,rep-resenting the culmination of the di-verse tendencies in institutions andthought which emerged in the centuriesfollowing the break up of feudal medi-eval Europe. It was more than a re-form movement;it represented a com-plete transformation of the order ofsociety,economically,politically,and culturally.Put dramatically,itwas in a sense the end toward whichEurope had been struggling in its ef-fort to build a new cultural synthesisto replace the medieval one. It is important to recognize dif-ferent stages in the course of therevolution.The nobles,clergy,andbourgeois who came together at thecall of Louis XVI to compose the firstFrench parliament since 1614 thoughtthat they were going to improve theroyal rule of France and abolish manyfinancial and legal abuses. This wasnot revolution.But when it becameapparent that French royalty was in-competent and was not willing to con-cede the necessary reforms,the revo-lution broke out;and its first stagewas marked by the establishment inFrance of a constitutional monarchy,not unlike in principle that alreadyexisting in England.This stage last-ed from 1789 to 1792 and carried vithit upper-class rule,that is,of theupper middle class compromising withthe old regime. A weak and dishonest king,for-eign powers so anxious to preserve in France the privileged classes thatthey undertook armed intervention andinvasion,an internal disunity and un-rest that made national defense diffi-cult--these were contributory causesto the transition from the first stageof the revolution to the second.Thisphase lasted from 1792 to the overthrowof Robespierre in July,1794.Thisperiod was marked by the establishmentof the first French Republic,thedictatorship of the Jacobins,who madewar not only upon the remaining sup-porters of the old regime but upon thedefenders of the upper class rule aswell.This regime was overthrown inturn but the Republic was preserved,and during the third phase of therevolution,from 1795 to 1799,the con-trol of the government was again inthe hands of the upper middle class.The military dictatorship of Napoleonfollowed. The Revolution did much to de-stroy and to rebuild not only Frenchinstitutions,class distinctions,andideas,political,moral,and artistic,but it also spread the same influencesof destruction and reconstructionthroughout Europe and across the seas.Within France the nobles,who had en-joyed position and income without thedischarge of such duties as in medi-eval times had made them both greatand socially indispensable,were putaside. The serfs were freed fromfeudal bondage;the administration ofthe areas of France were improved;and the laws and the courts remade tosuit the conditions of a new and en-lightened economic order. Education was given to the people and learnedsocieties were created.The Churchwas shorn of power and new loyaltiesto Liberty,Equality,and Fraternitywere created in a nation of Frenchmenfighting for national security andinternational prestige. Napoleon came upon the scene andconsolidated and strengthened many ofthe reforms which had preceded him.He was able to personify French great-ness in a self-conscious nation. Hewrought great havoc,but he also car-ried revolutionary ideas into centraland southern Europe. He was not un-like an Alexander the Great who car-ried Greek culture throughout hisempire. The world was nev

FAQs

What is described as the significance of the French Revolution in Western history?

It is presented as the greatest event in Western history, representing the culmination of long-developing tendencies in institutions and ideas after the break-up of feudal medieval Europe.

How does the text characterize the main stages of the revolution?

It describes a first stage (1789–1792) establishing a constitutional monarchy, a second stage (1792–July 1794) marked by the first Republic and Jacobin dictatorship, and a third stage (1795–1799) with government again controlled by the upper middle class before Napoleon’s dictatorship.

What elements of the ancien régime in France are emphasized?

The text highlights divine-right absolute monarchy, feudal-like class organization, and the economic and political subservience of the peasantry to upper classes due to taxes and dues.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Theodora