French Revolution, Brinton's Theory
By Jacob M.
Phase 1- Preliminary Stage Characteristics
Class Antagonism
Within the French population their were three different classes that divided France up. These classes were the Clergy, which were on the top second only to the king, next was the nobility, and lastly their were the peasant's. These classes were also know as the First, Second, and Third Estates. The Third Estate lived in poverty because of the heavily taxes placed upon them.
Government Inefficiency
Intellectual Transfer of Loyalty
Failure to Force
The entire French army was made up of the Third Estate meaning when they start to switch their loyalties, the other Estates above them had almost no troops to command and protect them. Also the Third Estate made of nine/tenths of the population so they outnumbered the other Estates nine to one.
Phase Two- First Stage Characteristics
Financial Breakdown
The financial stand point of the French government start to fall because of multiply reasons.
The Nobility would spend an abundance of money on luxuries they did not need.
The Nobility did not have to pay taxes, so when the government needed more money the peasants to a major beating due to the extremely high tax rates at the time.
Also the war took a toll on the financial system, this was mostly placed on the Third Estate because they were the army and they had to also fund the war.
Increase In Government Protests
One of the most important Protests in the French revolution was Storming The Bastille. This Fortress represented royal authority over central Paris, and was a major point in the revolution when they took control over it.
Dramatic Events
A dramatic event that happened during the French Revolution would the beheading of their king Louis XVI on January 21, 1793.
Phase Three- Crisis Stage
Radicals Take Control
In 1792 the Legislative Assembly ends and the Jacobin Radicals replaced it. Under the control of Robespierre Jacobin they started the Reign of Terror to try to eliminate any opposition.
Civil and Foreign War
Phase Four- Recovery Stage
Slow, Uneven Return to Quieter Times
The Reign of terror ended with the execution of Robespierre. Also along this was the creation of Directory which was a leadership of five directors, they operated following the Committee of Public Safety and Preceding the Consulate.
Rule By Tyrant
In 1799 Napoleon has used his army to take control of the French government. In control of the French government Napoleon ruled has a Dictator
Radicals Repressed
Within the French society Napoleon suppresses radical ideas like the Jacobins, for example Napoleon closed churches through out France.
Napoleon also set in motion the Napoleonic Code, which forbade privileges based on birth and also allowed freedom of religion.
Moderates Gain Amnesty
Citations
"The French Revolution and the Enlightenment 2." The French Revolution and the Enlightenment 2. 13 Apr. 2015. Web. 20 Mar. 2016.