Whether the French Revolution was inevitable ? Why was the first anti-monarchy revolution held in France ?
Whether the French Revolution was inevitable ?
Judging the inevitability of the French Revolution.
Why was the first anti-monarchy revolution held in France ?
Was the French Revolution inevitable?
The French Revolution of 1789 set an example of the anti-monarchy movement in other European states and around the world. From the beginning of the eighteenth century a revolutionary situation arose throughout Europe. The necessary background for the revolution was laid throughout the eighteenth century in the then prevailing medieval, immobile, unchanging social system of France. According to the historian Fischer, the monarchy in France failed miserably to address the faults of feudalism and administration. But Fisher's idea is not entirely correct; For, the situation was so bad that even if the monarchy eliminated all the defects, revolution was inevitable. Historian Stephens thinks that the role of philosophers made the French Revolution inevitable. According to the historian Hearnshaw, much more responsible than the political, economic, and social factors in the organization of the French Revolution were the desire of a handful of middle-class people to seize power, inspired by the writings of philosophers. This is why the first anti-monarchy revolution was organized in France.
Firstly, the classes in France can be divided into two parts - one was the consumption class and the other was the productive class. This productive class was the people of the third community. These middle-class people were ahead of the clergy and aristocracy in all aspects of education, culture, economy, political consciousness, and so on. Therefore, the middle class people, with the desire to gain dignity and power, formed a strong resistance against the monarchy. As a result, the desire of the third estate for power and dignity with the clergies and aristocrats who had been in power for a long time , made the French Revolution inevitable.
Secondly, in France the monarchy and the aristocracy were interdependent. Therefore, the system of government under the monarchy was always run in the interest of the aristocracy. The interests of the third estate were particularly undermined by the combined interests of these two classes. It was not possible for the monarchy to protect the interests of the third community by ignoring the interests of the aristocracy. So the middle class community started opposing the aristocracy and monarchy in order to protect their political, social and political interests.
Thirdly, the French regime has been operating without reform for a long time. The problems of the peasants and the common people of France were multifaceted and the regime was completely indifferent to their problems. As a result, the dissatisfaction of the peasantry in the rural areas on the one hand and the dissatisfaction of the workers and the middle class in the urban areas on the other hand gave birth to the revolution against the monarchy.
Fourthly, the interests of the feudal lords and the monarchy were mutually exclusive. The king was the highest level of the feudal pyramid. Therefore, it was not possible for the king to violate the special rights of the feudal lords. As a result, the idea that revolution could have been avoided only if the special rights of the feudal lords had been abolished is not correct. Because the king had to protect the interests of the feudal lords for his own benefit. So revolution was inevitable.
Fifthly, since feudalism and monarchy were complementary, the anger of the peasants in the rural areas turned to monarchy. Therefore rebellion against the feudal lords alone was not possible. The revolt against the monarchy was inevitable because the monarchy could not appease the anger of the peasants, workers and common people.
Sixthly, the French administrative structure was dilapidated and antiquated. Therefore, it was impossible to carry out progressive reforms without completely destroying the system of governance without decay. So the fall of the old system was inevitable by the revolution.
Seventhly, the peasants in France were more educated and politically aware than in other European countries. So they can easily and in a short time become aware of the role of feudalism and monarchy as the cause of their misery. The peasants who were afflicted with unequal and imbalanced taxes , had no choice but to revolt against the monarchy.
Eighthly, French philosophers had a significant influence on the French Revolution. Compared to other European states, French philosophers were able to express their progressive ideas. With the help of their intense writings, they made the French public aware of the injustices and disorders prevalent in French society. As a result, the first anti-monarchy revolution was organized in France as compared to other European countries.
In conclusion, in the political and social situation of France at that time, there was no question of avoiding revolution. The elements that made the revolution inevitable against the monarchy - those elements were not manifested in any of the states in Europe at that time except France. Historian Mignet says - "The revolution was the inevitable outcome of a process by which the Third Estate had risen in wealth and intelligence."
Historian Ketelbey argues that the weak and authoritarian monarchy of France at that time, the corrupt churches and priesthoods, the vested interests of the aristocracy, the empty treasury, the oppressed peasantry, the powerless and disenfranchised third estate, the financial-administrative chaos and so on.
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