EFFECTS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONS OF 1789

The revolution had both positive and negative effects not only on France but in the whole Europe as discussed below.

 Positive effects of the revolution

1. Revival of Parliament

France had taken over 175 years without the parliament meeting and that is why grievances accumulated. However, Parliament was brought back starting with that one of the 5^th may 1789,

2. Revival of Constitutional Rule.

Before the French revolution of 1789,France was ruled by bourbon Monarchs whose powers were very absolute.Howver, in the course of the revolution, constitution was formulated and they were amended by Napoleon, the child of the French revolution.Dictatorial rule ended with king LouisXVI who was guillotined during the reign of terror.

3. Ended Class division in France.

Before the French revolution, the French society was divided into classes, ie the first estate made up of nobles and clergy, Middle class and third Estate of peasants who owned nothing apart from their bodies.however, during the Nationalization of the church property, most peasants also got access to own land in France.

4. Led to rise of Napoleon Bonaparte to power.

People believe that without the French revolution of 1789, Napoleon would have died apoor, unknown man, the fact that he was born to peasant family. The revolution abolished class division and opened career to talented Napoleon. More still, during the reign of terror, most important who would claimed power in France, died, eg robispierre, Murato.Danton, etc all perished leaving Napoleon with no option but to take over power in France

5. The spread of the revolutionary ideas to other countries.

The revolutionary ideas of equality, Liberty and Fraternity got spread to other European countries.Eg in 1796,Napoleon carried in to Italy during his Italian campeignTherefore, the French revolution of 1789 was a turning point not only in the history of France and across Europe.

5. Reduced the role of the church in state affairs.

Prior to the revolution, the Catholic Church had much more influence over the state matters. The church controlled and influenced all aspects of life worse of all the clergy men remained unquestionable for the decisions they would make.However, the revolution ended their role and put the church under the control of the state.

6. The revolution ended the religious intolerance in France

.before the French revolution, Tithe was made compulsory and that is why Voltaire one of the political Philosophers remarked that “If God did not exist its necessary we great him now”However, the French revolution abolished such religious tolerance which was actually an evil before God.

7. Declaration of Human Rights in France.

In the course of the revolution, Human rights granted to all Frenchmen.

The 1789 constitution granted to the people, gave them freedom of worship where people were free to join any religious denominatiofreedom to association, freedom of Press, freedom of Speech all granted to french men in the course of the French revolution.

8. Ended Dictatorial rule of the Bourbon monarchs in France.

Before the revolution, France was ruled by Bourbon monarchs whose powers were unquestionable. They would make laws very arrogant, proud and possessed absolute powers.eg, King LouisXVI Boasted and remarked.Teh thing is legal because I wished it so.” After the revolution, Kings were to rule in accordance to the constitution.

Negative effects of the French revolution.

1. Massive loss of lives.

There was massive loss of lives especially during the reign of terror where even King LouisXVI and his wife Marie Antoinette were guillotined along with other 27,000 people. Other people who did not also survive were Robespirre, Danton, Murato and others. Sincerely speaking, human life was made too cheap during the reign of terror in France.

2. MAsssive destructions of property.

There were also massive destructions of property in France. Due to continuous mob actions, the mobs normally destroyed the property of the suspects after killing them. The destruction started from the storming of the Bastille prison and massive destructions of property was also witnessed in Paris where the mob actions concentrated.

3. War with other countries.

The French revolution of 1789 led France into wars with other countries. The truth is that other countries never wanted the spread of revolutions to their countries especially the ideas of equality, fraterty and liberty which was not wanted by other European monarchs who saw how King Louis was tortured.Infact, Metternich called the French revolution as Cancer, and fire that must be extinguished immediately.

4. Led to declaration of the civil constitution of the clergy in France.

This was the laws governing all the clergymen France. By this law, all the clergy were to be appointed by the state officials, their salary to be paid by the state. By this law also, the role of the clergymen in controlling state affairs was reduced.