write a essay on the effects of french revolution on british life

The French Revolutions: Causes and Impacts Essay

Introduction, origin and experience of the 1789 revolution, origin and experience of the 1848 revolution, similarities.

Bibliography

France has had many major revolutions that changed the country’s face, politically, socially and economically. By the 1700s, it had a full strength monarch system of government in which the king held absolute power also known as an absolute monarchy, most typified by Louis XIV.

The nobles that were allowed to make legislations were corrupt and often enriched themselves leaving the poor or the so-called third estates to lavish in poverty. This paper will attempt to compare and contrast the two revolutions, which occurred in 1789 and 1848, focusing on their causes as well as the impacts associated with their occurrences.

The 1789 revolution took place at a time when the French monarchy had absolute power, governing the whole country and implementing high tax due to massive debt caused by wars that King Louis XVI had participated in including the American war of independence. Its causes were mainly the hard social, economic and political cataclysm that they had and were worsening each day. The country was heading into bankruptcy, making life much more difficult; people died daily and were buried in pauper graves, privileges were given to the nobles and the church. This led to a surge in protests involving mainly of the public and their sympathizers in various French cities like Paris, Lyon, Marseille, among others.

The monarch’s symbol of power was the Bastille jail in Paris that had been in place for the past 400 years and its attack signified the beginning of a republican government. This saw execution of King Louis amid protest from other European countries that supported the rule of monarchy, and duped France into wars with other states like Britain, which had a constitutional monarchy, Spain and the Netherlands as well as Belgium.

The impacts of this ‘terror’ were worsened by the soaring prices with the devaluation of French currency due to unprecedented war that was in existence. This prompted price control in almost all foodstuffs as the Jacobins seized power in a reign of terror. The national assembly that was constituted mainly by the third estate constituted a committee of public safety, whose days were numbered with the escalating famine and shortages that faced the country. Besides, workable laws were still in the process of making as they fought to install a feasible constitution. Tax levied by the Catholic Church, which owned the largest land in the country added more injury to already soaring economic problems.

The effects were realized but at a price since even though rights of citizens were instilled, ravaging famine, wars and terror consumed the population. This revolution took new shift as power changed hands from monarchy, through to the Robespierre, Jacobins, in 1794 then to Directory through to 1799 when Napoleon took over under Consulate. Secularism became rampant; innovations, wars, and the restoration of monarchy are some of the results that surfaced.

For instance, After the King’s execution, Revolutionary tribunal and public safety committee were instituted; this saw a reign of terror, with ruling faction brutally killing potential enemies irrespective of their age, sex or condition. Paris alone recorded about 1400 deaths in the last six weeks to 27 July 1794, when it was replaced by Directory in 1975. This brought together 500 representatives, in a bicameral legislature consisting of two chambers, which lasted about 4 years to 1799 when it was replaced by Consulate.

This revolution took place in Europe at a time when reforms were the main activity. This ended the reinstated monarchy that had replaced the earlier revolution. A second republic was instituted and later saw the election of Louis Napoleon as its president although he went on to establish an empire that lasted another 23 years. The Orleans monarch had been put in place following a protest that saw the July monarch, Charles abdicate his throne and flee to England in 1830. This new monarch stood among three opposing factions, the socialists, legitimists, and the republicans. With Louis Philippe at the helm of Orleans’s rule, mainly supported by the elites, favors were given to the privileged set; this led to disenfranchisement of the working classes as well as most of the middle class.

Another problem that caused this revolution was the fact that only landowners were allowed to vote, separating the poor from the rich. The leader never cared for the needs of his subjects as some people were not permitted in the political arena. He also opposed the formation of a parliamentary system of government. Furthermore, the country was facing another economic crisis, and depression of the economy due to poor harvest. Poor transport system affected aid efforts during the depression and the crushing of those who rebelled.

It started with banquets as protests were outlawed, resulting in protests and barricades once Philippe outlawed banquets forcing him to abdicate and flee to England as well. Provisional government was formed, in what was called a second republic. Unemployment relief was incorporated in government policies and universal suffrage enacted, which added 9 million more voters. Workshops were organized which ensured the ‘right to work’ for every French citizen. Other impacts included reduced trading and luxury as the wealthy fled and this meant servicing credits was a problem. Conservatism increased in the new government with struggles emerging between the classes. Eventually, politics tilted to the right and this revolution failed once again, ushering in the second empire.

The two revolutions had very many similarities in their origins; the first was started out of social and political problems like, unemployment, which was widely prevalent. Similarly, the second was also aimed at establishing the right to work. In both cases, forced protests were used to ensure that revolutions took place and they all failed; the first, giving way to emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and the second ushering emperor napoleon III.

In both cases, corruption was rampant as could be seen in the nobles of the first monarchy and the elite who were favored in the second monarch. Financial crisis and expected economic depression was significant in causing the two revolutions. The impacts were also similar in some ways as there were no stable governments during the two revolutions.

The first revolution was more radical as it caused terror and war as compared to the second, which was less violent; this is evident in the assault on Bastille. The causes of the first revolution were more founded on the basic rights of the people as compared to the second. The first revolution occurred when there was limited freedom to the public with their rights restricted to one vote by the third estate, while in the second revolution, there were provisional governments that had liberated some of the restrictions like the universal suffrage and characterized by struggles between classes.

The first revolution was the initiation of the revolutions that followed and was characterized with heavy loss of lives during the reign of terror, while the second was characterized by more political and social systems that enforced changes.

The two revolutions failed to fulfill all their goals although they made several crucial changes such as universal suffrages, which added 9 million new voters. Many thoughts have considered the revolutions to make a huge impact on British Philosophical, intellectual and political life, having a major impact on the Western history. Some of the sympathizers of the revolution like Thomas Paine among other English radicals shared their sentiment at first, as they believed it was a sign of liberty, fraternity and Equality.

However, when it turned into exterminations and terror, it gave second thoughts to the earlier supporters. In the end, after the second revolution’s failure, a second state was put in office, led by Napoleon III; he purged the republicans, thereby dissolving the National Assembly, and then established a second empire, restoring the old order. It is imperative to note that the revolutions made great significance in the developments of Europe as a whole.

Betts F. R., 2000. Europe In Retrospect: A Brief History of the Past two hundred years. Britannia, LLC .

Cody D.2007. French Revolution. The Victorian Web . Doyle W.1990

The Oxford history of the French revolution. (3rd Ed.). Oxford: Oxford UniversityPress . ISBN 0192852213. Web.

Emmet K.1989. A Cultural History of the French Revolution. New Haven: Yale University Press . Print.

Rappot M. 2009. 1848: Year of Revolution. Basic Books . Web.

Smitha E. F., 2002.The French Revolution. Macrohistory and World Report. Web.

Walker L.H. 2001. Sweet and Consoling Virtue: The Memoirs of Madame Roland. Eighteenth-Century Studies, French Revolutionary Culture .

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Britain and the French Revolution: A Tale of Inspiration, Fear, and Transformation

• by history tools
• May 26, 2024

The French Revolution, which erupted in 1789, was one of the most seismic events in modern European history. Its impact was felt far beyond France‘s borders, and nowhere more so than in Britain, France‘s neighbor and rival. The British reaction to the revolution was complex, multifaceted, and shifted over time as the events in France took increasingly dramatic and violent turns.

The Early Days: Sympathy and Hope

There were certainly parallels between the French revolutionaries‘ demands for liberty, equality, and democracy, and the ideals that had animated Britain‘s own Glorious Revolution a century earlier. The early stages of the French Revolution seemed to promise a new era of Enlightenment values and constitutional government.

However, even in these early days, there were voices of caution and concern. The conservative philosopher Edmund Burke, in his famous "Reflections on the Revolution in France" (1790), warned that the revolutionaries were recklessly dismantling the very foundations of society:

"You chose to act as if you had never been moulded into civil society, and had everything to begin anew. You began ill, because you began by despising everything that belonged to you."[2]

Burke‘s work became a cornerstone of conservative thought, arguing for the importance of tradition, stability, and gradual change over radical upheaval.

The Intellectual Debate: Burke vs. Paine

Burke‘s "Reflections" did not go unanswered. The radical thinker Thomas Paine, who had played a key role in the American Revolution, penned a fierce rebuttal in his "Rights of Man" (1791). Paine argued that the French Revolution was a necessary and justified struggle against oppression:

"It is a perversion of terms to say that a charter gives rights. It operates by a contrary effect – that of taking rights away. Rights are inherently in all the inhabitants; but charters, by annulling those rights, in the majority, leave the right, by exclusion, in the hands of a few."[3]

Paine‘s work was a sensation, selling over 200,000 copies and becoming a rallying cry for reformers and radicals in Britain.[4] It also earned him a charge of seditious libel, forcing him to flee to France.

The Burke-Paine debate came to symbolize the broader intellectual ferment in Britain triggered by the French Revolution. It raised fundamental questions about the nature of government, the rights of citizens, and the legitimacy of revolution that would reverberate throughout British society.

Radicalism and Repression

These societies drew their membership largely from the artisan and working classes, who were inspired by the egalitarian promise of the French Revolution. They organized public meetings, published pamphlets, and petitioned Parliament for reform.

However, as the revolution in France took a more violent and radical turn, particularly with the onset of the Reign of Terror in 1793, the British government grew increasingly alarmed about the spread of revolutionary sentiment at home.

Prime Minister William Pitt the Younger initiated a series of repressive measures, known as the "Pitt‘s Terror," to quell dissent. The Seditious Meetings Act of 1795 restricted the right of assembly, while the Treasonable Practices Act of the same year broadened the definition of treason.[6] Habeas corpus was suspended, allowing for the detention of suspects without trial.

This repression, combined with the increasingly bloody news from France, dampened much of the initial enthusiasm for the revolution in Britain. Many who had initially been sympathetic were horrified by the execution of King Louis XVI and the excesses of the Terror.

Impact on British Society and Culture

Despite the government crackdown, the ideas and passions unleashed by the French Revolution continued to percolate through British society. The notion of fundamental rights, of the sovereignty of the people, and of the illegitimacy of oppressive government, had taken root.

The Long Shadow

Though Britain avoided its own revolution, the French Revolution cast a long shadow over British politics and society well into the 19th century. Its impact can be seen in the Great Reform Act of 1832, which expanded the franchise and redistributed Parliamentary seats, and in the Chartist movement of the 1830s and 1840s, which called for universal male suffrage and other radical reforms.

The revolution also had a lasting impact on British foreign policy. The long wars against revolutionary and then Napoleonic France, which lasted from 1792 to 1815 with only a brief respite, defined an entire generation. They fostered a sense of British exceptionalism and a suspicion of continental radicalism that would persist.

In conclusion, the French Revolution was a transformative event not just for France, but for Britain as well. It inspired hopes and fears, sparked intellectual debate and political division, and left a lasting imprint on British society and culture. Understanding the British reaction to the revolution is crucial for understanding the development of modern British politics and identity.

As the historian Albert Goodwin has written, "The French Revolution was, for Britain, both a challenge and a stimulus, a warning and an inspiration."[11] It forced Britons to confront fundamental questions about the nature of their society and government, and in doing so, helped shape the course of British history for generations to come.

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How did the French Revolution affect England? | National Trust

via nationaltrust.org.uk/

Daniel Norman Durham University

A Trusted Source article created as part of the University of Oxford Knowledge Transfer Partnership

The French Revolution (1789 – 1799), had a deep and lasting impact upon the whole of Europe , profoundly challenging traditional notions of authority and political power. Many in England were inspired by the movement’s core ideals of social equality and popular sovereignty, believing that a new era of political change had been heralded. Members of the establishment, however, felt a fundamental threat from these new ways of thinking, and the heated debate that followed would provoke a substantial literary and political response from all sections of society.

Immediate political effect

In the early months and years of the revolution, several English observers drew comparisons with the American Revolution which had taken place a decade earlier, seeing both events as popular uprisings against unfair taxation and authoritarian rule.

More conservative critics disagreed, some taking the view – compellingly articulated by the prominent Whig politician Edmund Burke – that the French Revolution was of a wholly different character from its predecessor, and that its sudden and sweeping changes could only result in catastrophe. Burke’s argument not only served to rally critics of the revolution, it also provided a focal point around which politically radical thinkers were able to centre their attacks upon the British establishment.

The execution of Louis XVI in 1793 and the bloody events of The Terror were seen by some to realise Burke’s predictions, but many continued to believe in the ideals on which the revolution had been founded. Britain’s decision to go to war with France, in coalition with other European states, received strong criticism from these individuals, although the increasingly aggressive conduct of the French Republic in later years silenced much opposition.

Literary impact

The French Revolution had demonstrated the real possibility of large-scale political change, and this profoundly influenced the literature subsequently produced in Britain. Notions of personal freedom and the role of the state permeate the novels, poems, and plays of the period, with many of them containing vivid commentaries on the political significance of events over the Channel.

The Romantic movement

The French Revolution is also more broadly associated with the origins of the Romantic movement in Britain , the start of which is commonly dated to 1789, the year of the revolution. Romanticism, with its rejection of established conventions of literary and artistic taste, mirrors the French revolutionaries’ overturning of the ancient political systems and traditions of the monarchy.

Lyrical Ballads

This aspect of Romanticism is embodied in William Wordsworth and Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s 1798 collection of poetry, Lyrical Ballads, one of the best-known and most influential works of the movement. The poems of this collection, many of which were composed whilst the two poets were staying in rural Somerset, avoid the often florid and mannered language of their popular contemporaries, aiming instead for a more natural and unaffected tone.

Wordsworth and Coleridge’s approach was subsequently felt by many to have captured the spirit of the age, echoing the scepticism towards inherited customs and prejudices that the French Revolution had championed.

Lasting influence

The revolution continued to have a strong influence on British society well into the nineteenth century, fuelling public debate about political reform and the role of government . A large number of political emigrants from France had made their home in Britain in the years after the revolution, markedly changing the character of some of the areas in which they settled.

Art and furniture, which had been taken out of France by the fleeing nobility and bourgeoisie, also found its way into Britain over the following decades. The revolution became a subject that fascinated historians and collectors well into the nineteenth century, some of whom, notably Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild, brought together collections which document the period.

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• The world of the Romantics 1770 - 1837

Impact of the French Revolution

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The French Revolution of 1789

The French Revolution and the fall of the Bastille in July 1789 had an enormous impact on British public opinion in England and influenced the terms on which political debate would be conducted for the next thirty years.

The settlement of 1689 and the British Constitution

Since the constitutional settlement of 1689, which balanced the powers of Parliament and the monarchy, the British system of government had enjoyed support across the political spectrum and was much admired by observers from other countries. This system gave distinct roles in the process of governance and legislation to:

The House of Lords

The House of Commons

It was felt to combine the best aspects of monarchical, aristocratic and democratic modes of government. It was believed that this combination of forces worked to offset the dangers inherent in allowing any one of them to predominate:

Monarchy could easily degenerate into tyranny

Aristocracy could degenerate into oligarchy, or the concentration of power in a ruling elite

Democracy could become anarchy and the rule of the mob

If anything occurred to upset the balance, such as the emergence of corrupt practices in appointments to political offices, the system would work to restore equilibrium.

The growth of political dissent

By the 1760s, however, this consensus of opinion was beginning to break down. There had been political dissent earlier in the eighteenth century but it had tended to object to and seek to remedy abuses of the system without questioning the system itself. In the 1760s and 1770s, various strands of radical political opinion began to question the basis on which the British Constitution was founded:

It was argued that democracy was only partial and that this limited the representativeness of the House of Commons.

The right to vote, as well as being granted only to men, depended on a property qualification, thus excluding the great mass of the population.

Religious dissenter s, including Roman Catholic s as well as members of nonconformist sects, did not enjoy such full voting rights as were available. Because MPs were required to swear an oath of conformity to the Church of England , religious dissenters were not eligible for election to public office.

The road to reform

Attempts to introduce Parliamentary reform in 1809, 1818, 1821 and 1826 were defeated in the House of Commons. It was only in 1832, the year after the revised edition of Frankenstein was published, that the Reform Act, with a major extension of the Parliamentary franchise, was passed into law. The Test and Corporation Acts, removing most of the political restrictions on religious dissenters, had been repealed in 1828, and the Roman Catholic Emancipation Act followed in 1829.

Richard Price

In 1789, Richard Price (1723-91), a Welsh dissenting minister who had supported the American Revolution, published Discourse on the Love of Our Country . In this work, he argued that the Revolution of 1789 represented an improvement on the 1689 settlement in the following areas:

Matters of the liberty of conscience

The right to resist abuses of power

The right to choose and dismiss governments

Edmund Burke

He argued against the way in which the House of Commons was dominated by the King and his supporters

He spoke and wrote on behalf of Roman Catholic emancipation

He supported the American Revolution

The French Revolution , however, horrified Edmund Burke:

In Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790) he refuted Richard Price's argument that the people had the right to dismiss the elected government and form a new one, and he appealed to the lessons of history in support of his view

He believed that society was an organism rather than a purely administrative or legislative mechanism

He thought that the revolutionaries in France were atheist s who had offended against history by overthrowing the monarchy

When he was in France in 1773, he had seen Queen Marie Antoinette; she had come to represent for Burke all that was sacred in the principle of monarchy, and he wrote a eulogy of her in Reflections . For Burke, then, the principles of the 1689 English settlement remained the best basis for government.

Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine (1737-1809) was born in Norfolk, his father a Quaker and his mother an Anglican . He emigrated to America in 1774 after being dismissed from his job as an excise officer for seeking an increase in pay. He worked on behalf of American independence and served in Washington's army, fighting against British troops. He returned to England in 1787 and published the two parts of The Rights of Man in 1790 and 1792 as a direct response to Burke's Reflections :

He advocated the idea of fundamental ‘inalienable rights' that should be enjoyed by all human beings

He challenged Burke's notion of society as a binding contract between the past, present and future, and argued that for society to progress towards greater freedom and justice it was vital to break free from the chains of the past

The Reign of Terror and disillusion with the Revolution

Excitement among those who had welcomed the French Revolution turned to disillusion. The years 1793-4, beginning with the execution of Louis XVI in January 1793, saw bitter conflicts in France as different political groups fought for supremacy. During the ‘Reign of Terror', thousands of people from all parties were executed in Paris and elsewhere in the country.

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11 Effects of the French Revolution

The French Revolution, spanning from 1789 to 1799, was a seismic upheaval that reshaped the course of history. Emerging from deep-seated social, economic, and political discontent, it marked the overthrow of absolute monarchy and the rise of democratic ideals.

The revolution’s effects transcended geographical boundaries, fueling a surge of nationalism and inspiring global movements for change. As the monarchy crumbled, the birth of the First French Republic heralded a new era, where power was derived from the people rather than inherited privilege.

However, the revolution was not without its challenges; the radical Reign of Terror demonstrated the delicate balance between pursuing revolutionary ideals and maintaining stability.

The social fabric was rewoven, abolishing feudal privileges and promoting social equality, though disparities lingered.

Through its impact on governance, culture, and the global struggle for liberty, the French Revolution became an enduring emblem of human aspiration for freedom and justice.

French Revolution Effects and Impacts

1. overthrow of monarchy.

The French Revolution marked a seismic shift from an absolute monarchy to a republic. The revolutionaries aimed to remove the entrenched power of the monarchy and its associated privileges.

Also Read: Facts About the French Revolution

The execution of King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette in 1793 symbolized the rejection of monarchical rule and heralded a new era in French governance.

The establishment of the First French Republic was a pivotal moment, replacing the monarchy with a system where power was theoretically held by the people and represented by elected officials.

2. Rise of Nationalism

The revolution fueled a strong sense of national identity among the French people. The revolutionary ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity encouraged unity and patriotism.

Also Read: French Revolution Causes

Revolutionary symbols such as the tricolor flag and the “Marseillaise” anthem became potent symbols of the nation’s spirit and resistance.

The emphasis on shared values and the rejection of monarchic hierarchy contributed to a collective consciousness that laid the foundation for modern French identity.

3. Spread of Revolutionary Ideas

The principles of the French Revolution, particularly those of democracy and human rights, resonated beyond France’s borders. Revolutionary ideals inspired movements for change in other countries.

The Revolution sparked political upheavals in neighboring countries and influenced the emergence of revolutionary movements, such as in Belgium, the Netherlands, and Italy.

Overseas colonies and regions with colonial rule also drew inspiration from the revolutionary rhetoric to seek independence and challenge imperial control.

4. Reign of Terror

The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was a period of extreme radicalization within the Revolution. The Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, pursued a policy of suppressing perceived threats to the Republic.

Also Read: French Revolution Leaders

Mass executions, including that of prominent figures like Robespierre himself, characterized this phase. The terror was fueled by fears of counter-revolution, foreign invasion, and internal dissent.

While the Reign of Terror effectively quashed opposition, it also left a legacy of fear, distrust, and aversion to extreme ideologies.

5. Social and Class Changes

The Revolution aimed to address social inequalities that had long plagued French society. Feudal privileges, which had given the nobility special rights and exemptions, were abolished.

The introduction of new laws promoted social mobility and a more egalitarian society, challenging the rigid class structure that had existed for centuries.

However, these changes were not uniform. While some commoners experienced improved status, others remained impoverished, and the socio-economic disparities persisted in various ways.

6. Secularization and Church Reforms

The Revolution aimed to reduce the influence of the Catholic Church on state affairs and society. The Church had long held significant power and wealth in France.

The Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) placed the French Church under state control, leading to tensions with the Pope and divisions among clergy and laity.

Church lands were confiscated and sold, resulting in a significant reduction in the Church’s economic power and influence. Many religious practices were secularized, and the Church’s role in education and social services was curtailed.

7. Napoleon Bonaparte’s Rise to Power

The Revolution’s aftermath was marked by political instability, which allowed Napoleon Bonaparte, a talented military general, to seize power through a coup in 1799 (the 18 Brumaire coup).

Napoleon’s rule as First Consul and later as Emperor (Napoleon I) brought both military conquest and substantial reforms. He codified laws in the Napoleonic Code, centralized administration, and modernized institutions.

His ambitions also led to European wars and conquests, ultimately resulting in the Napoleonic Wars, which reshaped the map of Europe.

8. Legal Reforms

The Revolution aimed to establish a legal system based on principles of equality and individual rights. The Napoleonic Code (Civil Code) was a comprehensive legal framework introduced by Napoleon in 1804.

The code standardized laws across France, emphasizing equality before the law, protection of property rights, and promotion of personal freedoms.

Although it modernized legal concepts, the Napoleonic Code was criticized for maintaining some aspects of inequality, particularly in matters of gender and family law.

9. Global Impact

The revolutionary ideals and principles of the French Revolution inspired movements for independence and social change worldwide.

Colonized nations saw the Revolution as a beacon of hope and began seeking autonomy and self-determination, often challenging imperial powers.

The concept of human rights gained prominence on a global scale, as oppressed groups sought to apply the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity to their own struggles.

10. Cultural Transformation

The revolutionary period fostered a dynamic cultural atmosphere that reflected the changing social and political landscape.

Art, literature, and music became powerful tools for expressing revolutionary ideals. Artists and writers depicted heroic images of the Revolution, while political satire and pamphlets circulated widely.

The Enlightenment’s emphasis on reason and individual rights continued to influence creative works, fostering a new intellectual climate that extended beyond the Revolution’s immediate aftermath.

11. Legacy of Human Rights

One of the enduring legacies of the French Revolution is its significant contribution to the advancement of human rights on a global scale.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted in August 1789, proclaimed fundamental rights and principles that were considered universal and inalienable.

The declaration emphasized the equality of citizens before the law, the right to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It also asserted the right to freedom of thought, expression, and religion.

These concepts became cornerstones of modern human rights discourse and laid the groundwork for subsequent declarations and international agreements, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

The Declaration’s ideals have continued to inspire movements advocating for civil liberties, social justice, and political freedom in various parts of the world.

The legacy of human rights from the French Revolution underscores the lasting impact of its progressive ideals and serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggle to secure and protect fundamental rights for all individuals.