French Revolution Essay

Undoubtedly, one of the 16th century’s most studied and thoroughly documented societal changes was the French Revolution. The majority of scholars concur that the insurgency sparked more radical changes than the American Revolution. Furthermore, France, a dynamic and aspirational nation, changed into an economy that demanded societal equality. By putting an end to customs that were impoverishing the once-rich state, it also assisted the country in becoming debt-free and enlightened its neighbors. (Sieyes 72). The decision of the Frenchmen to rebel against the established order and the position of women contributed to the acceleration of the French Revolution. Also, it led to the change in the constitution, which has transformed France to its current state. Moreover, with the numerous battles and lives lost, the true revolution was felt years after the real rebellion.

Social Inequality Change

The French in the 16th century had a different system where the poor were the ones paying the taxes. The county’s society was divided into three estates (Mason and Rizzo 93). The first estate comprised of the king and the clergy, the noblemen constituted the second one, while to the third belonged peasants and everyone else. Considering that taxpayers came from the last category, which accounted for about 98% of the citizens, the system was unfair. People with money were not contributing economically through paying taxes, while those without money were extorted. The unjust nature of the system made the latter group to form an assembly to call for reforms after the country was plunged into debt and the king was unable to raise money. Hence, to help make decisions about what to do, the ruler called a representative from each of the three categories. The plan was to implement changes with regard to the ways of raising funds for the state of France. With his advisor, Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, there could have been changes that could imply nobles to start paying taxes. However, considering that the affluent and the clergy were against such decision, the move was shielded by two/thirds votes against it, calling for the third category to form the national assembly, looking for ways of changing the constitution and implementing the action by Turgot.

The determination of the peasants to break away was the first step towards the French Revolution. Without their objection, the country could have continued with the system where the rich kept their money while the poor paid taxes with the little they had. The failure to question the logic behind the practice of the unequal tax contribution, and pluck up the courage to break away from the estates, the country could have continued to waggle in debt. The French people could have also failed to make progressive changes towards a better financial system. Moreover, it would have been harder to achieve economic equality with the former system because most of the funds resided among the rich and the taxes collected from the poor were inadequate to sustain the country, especially during its participation in funding the American Revolution.

Gender Inequality Change

In addition, the evident gender issues present in the then society were transformed during and after the revolution. Women, like in most countries in the 17th century, had roles different from men. At the onset of the reforms, France was heavily burdened with debt and therefore unable to fend for itself. Moreover, famine hit the lands, thus making it impossible to harvest grains planted during that season. A combination of food shortage, low harvest and huge debt brought about further suffering of the country and its citizens. King Lous XVI’s wife, Antoinette, was rumored to have some grains of wheat at the castle. The women matched to the castle to demand crops to be given to the public. Such a bold move alleviated the role of the female gender, which involved not participating in political matters. Initially, women were not allowed to vote in the assembly formed by the third estate or in any democratic situation. Interestingly, females from the first and second estates had the right to vote on political matters. However, the women’s involvement in helping to get grains to feed the starving French people helped to give voice and hope to the female of third estate. Women were not more courageous to express themselves to the matters that were happening across the country. However, those in the third estate were able to vote and become part of the change.

Women in 1973 were subjected to dress constrictions, especially in the female militants. The change in allowing them to have that liberty arose with the move for women to speak up. Those in the militant clubs managed to express themselves, which was a precedent of the French Revolution. In most cases, a starting point for men and women allows people to be more courageous to make changes, which would not have been possible without the will of women to break from traditional doctrines made in the patriarchal world. Additionally, the will to be part of the movement was among the changes that led to achieving gender transformation during and after the French Revolution.

Regarding having a political opinion and becoming part of the change, I am a maximalist. As people in the past such as Immanuel Kant, I am a believer in conducting research into a matter before taking a stand. Hence, all the positions taken are firmly believed in and are a part of me. For instance, women played a crucial role in the French Revolution, and without them, no contribution to the political changes would have been made. In such a case, an opposing opinion is unlikely to change my stand unless facts back it. The same applies to the example of social changes that took place among the three estates and the improvement of the economic situation of the country.

Conclusion

The French Revolution led to adverse transformations that shaped France the way it is today. Without the fight for change by the third estate, the French financial and economic status would have still been in shambles. Moreover, they would have continued suffering from extravagant spending by the king and its monarchy. Hence, the French Revolution led to significant transformations that helped the nation to grow into an independent and democratic state as it is now. Moreover, the role of women changed the gender tradition that was evident during the era and produced vocal females who took part in the change politically. They managed to get the right to vote, which was crucial in passing and amending the constitution.

Works Cited

Mason, Laura, and Tracey Rizzo. The French Revolution: A Document Collection. Wadsworth Pub Co., 1999.

Sieyes, Abbe. “What Is the Third Estate? 1789.” The French Revolution and Human Rights: A Brief Documentary History, edited by Lynn Hunt, Bedford Books of St. Martin’s Press, 1963, pp. 70-75.