French Revolution: Down With Monarchy

French Revolution: Down With Monarchy

The French revolution was a historical time period that was filled political and radical social upheaval in France. The revolution made a lasting impact to the French history, and it began in 1789. The French as was known during this historical period underwent an epic transformation, as religious, feudal, and aristocratic privileges evaporated. The transformation was caused by sustained assault from the left-wing radical political groups, peasants, and masses on the streets. This topic is important as it shows how common people get offended when there is incompetency with their leaders. There was resentment towards King Louis XVI, and added to the radical sentiments prevailing during his time the revolution began.

The main sources are Napoleon's correspondence, the Law passed on Abolition of Nobility, visualizations from paintings showing how the event took place, and Immanuel Kant's journal and speeches. The timeframe chosen focuses on what led to the revolution and the changes that took place to end the revolution.

Thematic section

Bonaparte, N. Napoleon's Correspondence." Army Despondence to Each Corps Army Commander 18-21 June 1815. War Times Journal.

This was a document written during the Napoleonic Wars by Napoleon Bonaparte. Napoleon wrote this document to all the army corps commanders, the document communicated battle strategies and orders of troops. This document is important as it will assist in describing the leadership role that Napoleon possessed and the Napoleonic Wars. There is quote in the document from a scout regarding the number of troops that England had, which demonstrates that they were communications during the Napoleonic Wars to the French army.

Gros, Antoine-Jean. Napoleon on the Battlefields of Elyad. 1808. Web. .

In this painting, Napoleon Bonaparte is shown on the battle fields by Antoine-Jean Gros in 1808. The painting assists in demonstrating Napoleon as a military leader and commanding his presence. The painting also demonstrates his victories. This is achieved by showing Napoleon on a horseback towering over the fallen enemies.

Napoleonic Civil Code of 1804. By Napoleon Bonaparte. Exploring the French Revolution. Web. .

These are new set of laws established when Napoleon ruled France. Napoleon established these new laws in order to provide equality for the French when he was crowned the Emperor of France. These laws demonstrate why Napoleon was successful, which assisted in his rise to power to become the Emperor of France.

Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen. N.p.: University of California Santa Cruz, n.d. Web. .

This source shows the constitution that was written by the France National Assembly in 1971. From this source, it is clear that King Louis XVI was denied power to permanently veto Legislations passed by the French National Assembly. This limited the powers of the monarch. This source shows the turning point in government as this was the very first attempt to suppress the monarchy's powers, which edged France a step closer in becoming a Republic. This constitution will assist in demonstrating how the French people tried to limit the monarch's powers. Though this constitution was not completely successful, it demonstrates the desires and laws of the common French people, which were spoken through their National Assembly.

Primary sources

Abolition of Nobility. June 19, 1790. N.p.: New York: Macmillan, 1951. Web. .

This was a law passed to remove all sources of nobility by the national Assembly. The law stated that all titles like Sire, Duke, and Lord would not be used any longer. This law addressed both the public and the nobility and was created in June 1790. This source demonstrates equalization for the French people. With the loss of the nobility title, the nobles were not recognized, and the benefits they used to receive like tax exemptions were stripped.

Houel, Jean-Pierre. Storming of the Bastille. 1789. Web. .

In this painting Jean-Pierre Houel depicts how the people stormed the Bastille. This picture provides imagery to assist in visualization of the event. Using visualization one is able to better understand what the event looked like in 1789.

Kant, Immanuel. "What Is the Enlightenment?" (1784): Web. .

These are excerpts from journal entries and speeches by Immanuel Kant. He was a renowned German Philosopher, and he was commonly known as being the first to make use of the word enlightenment. During the enlightenment period, he was among the many innovational thinkers. These excerpts will assist in providing brief descriptions of the enlightenment period, as it was a formidable historical context for the French Revolution. Using quotes from Kant, one is able to demonstrate the enlightenment period.

Pinel, Phillipe. "Execution of the King." Letter. 21 Jan. 1793. Exploring the French Revolution. Web. .

This was a letter by Phillipe Pinel who was an observer to the execution of King Louis XVI. This letter will assist in describing the King's execution. There is quote in the letter that indicates the King's death was easy and fast, which demonstrates that he did not suffer. The letter indicates a historic event when France was not ruled by the monarch.

"Liberty, Equality, Fraternity: Exploring the French Revolution." Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media (George Mason University) and American Social History Project (City University of New York). Web. 5 Jan. 2013 .

This website provides information regarding the whole revolution. The website has been categorized, which makes it easy to maneuver through the content. The revolution has been documented from its start till the end. This website will assist in providing important timelines of the revolution and also the events that took place. Reasons for the monarchy collapse, social changes, enlightenment, and rise of the republic have been well presented in the website.

Related search guides

Colombia University, Press. "King of France Louis XVI." Colombia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th Ed. (2011): 1. History Reference Center. Web.

This source provides information regarding the life of King Louis XVI, his reign, how he ascended to power, his fall, and finally guillotined. This source will assist in demonstrating how the King was not successful, popular, and powerful. It was the King's refusal to make compromises with the French people that led to the revolution.

"French Revolution." French Revolution. Web. .

This website provides information regarding the revolution's history. It provides information of how the revolution came to arise, and it also describes the enlightenment period. This website will assist in demonstrating how the enlightenment greatly affected and pushed for the revolution's support.