Nature of French Revolution | History Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Nature and Character of the French Revolution

There are different perspectives on the nature and character of the French Revolution:
View I: Social Revolution:

• According to this perspective, the French Revolution was primarily a social revolution that transformed French society.
• The rising capitalist middle class, known as the bourgeoisie, overthrew the declining feudal autocratic ruling class.
• Under this view, the French Revolution is also seen as a Bourgeoisie Revolution, being anti-feudal and anti-autocratic.

View II: Four Revolutions:
This perspective argues that the French Revolution involved four distinct revolutions:

• Aristocratic Revolution
• Bourgeoisie Revolution
• Sans-culottes Revolution
• Peasant Revolution

View I: Aristocratic Revolution

• Between 1787 and 1789, leading up to the French Revolution in June 1789, a period known as the Aristocratic Revolution occurred.
• France was facing a severe financial crisis, which necessitated financial reforms. Various financial experts, including Turgot, Necker, Colonne, Brienne, and Necker again, proposed reform measures.
• However, these proposals were met with resistance from the aristocracy, who were unwilling to pay higher taxes.
• This led to a bitter struggle between the aristocracy and the monarchy from 1787 until April 1789, with the aristocracy revolting against the regime.
• The Aristocratic Revolution is viewed as a precursor to the actual revolution, rather than a revolution in itself.

View II: Bourgeoisie Revolution

• In May 1789, the Estates General was convened, and the Bourgeoisie emerged as leaders of the revolution, marking the start of the Bourgeoisie Revolution.
• As the revolution progressed, peasants and the sans-culottes (working-class citizens) also joined the uprising.
• By June 1789, the Bourgeoisie and lower classes united in a common action against the monarchy and aristocracy, reflecting the crisis of the old regime in France.
• Although each class played a distinct role, the French Revolution was the culmination of a long economic and social evolution that ultimately elevated the Bourgeoisie to a dominant position, not just in France but globally.

View III: Political Revolution

• Some scholars argue that the French Revolution was primarily a political revolution rather than a social one.
• They contend that feudalism was already in decline before the revolution and that the Bourgeoisie did not play a significant role in pre-1789 France.
• According to this view, the revolution was a struggle against the monarchy and aristocracy, driven by a financial and political crisis.
• It aimed to establish control over the government and the conditions under which it operated, rather than fundamentally transforming society.

View IV: Popular Character

• The French Revolution is characterized by its popular character, with significant involvement from common citizens.
• Key events include the Tennis Court Oath on June 20, 1789, the Fall of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, the Formation of National Guards under Lafayette, and various peasant revolts in July and August 1789.
• Participation of women was also crucial, with events like the Women’s March on Versailles in October 1789 and the Soap Riots, where women protested against rising soap prices.
• Women actively asserted their political rights and formed societies, such as the Society for Revolutionary Republican Women, advocating for their demands.
• Commoners, including shopkeepers, laborers, and artisans, played a vital role, particularly during the attack on the Bastille on July 14, 1789, and in subsequent protests against the monarchy and for price controls.
• Under the Jacobins, commoners gained rights, including the right to vote, and were involved in various revolutionary movements.

View V: Role of Intelligentsia

• Some historians emphasize the role of the intelligentsia, such as Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Voltaire, in shaping the ideas that fueled the French Revolution.
• From this perspective, the revolution is seen as a transformation in the realm of ideas, driven by the intellectual contributions of these thinkers.

View VI: Part of Atlantic Revolution

• The French Revolution is viewed as part of a larger phenomenon known as the Atlantic Revolution.
• This perspective suggests that the revolution was not an isolated event but rather part of a trans-Atlantic wave of revolutionary sentiment.
• Revolutionary ideas first emerged in America and then spread to various regions, including Geneva, the Netherlands, Ireland, and eventually France.
• The revolutionary fervor continued to spread to the Netherlands, Rhine land, Switzerland, and the Italian states, making the French Revolution a significant part of this broader Atlantic context.

Regardless of the perspective taken, the French Revolution is regarded as a watershed moment in history that profoundly changed the course of events in the following decades.