French Revolution 2 Essay, Research Paper

Have you ever thought, “Did the world just become the way it is gradually over time, or was there an actual turning point that can be referred to?” The answer is yes there was an actual turning point, the French Revolution. The French Revolution was a turning point in European political and social history, and was a period that changed the outcome of world history dramatically. The ideas and changes brought forth through the French Revolution greatly influenced minds all around the world. A few examples of such ideas were the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen, the ending of the slave trade, while some changes that took place were the changing of the government and social structure.

The changes with the greatest impact, without a doubt, were those of the government. Before the French Revolution took place, the form of government was an Absolute Monarch. The problem with this Absolute Monarch was that he did not treat each social class equally. Through the revolution we saw France pass through the national assembly, the legislative assembly, the national convention, and the directory. Seeing these forms of government fail was a reference for other countries to see which type of government works and which doesn’t. France ended up as an empire with Napoleon as First Consul who treated all people equal under the eyes of the law. In taking over other areas of Europe, Napoleon and his soldier’s spread the ideas of Modern Nationalism. The ending of Absolutism in France forever influences the possible future existence of Monarchs throughout Europe and the rest of the world. If France can go through such drastic changes, why can’t any other country? This question running through the minds of citizens served as motivation to cause changes elsewhere.

The ending of slave trade, keeping in mind that slavery was not abolished just the trade of slaves, caused change around the world. France’s morality about slavery spread the idea of how awful slavery was, and after a long period of time, slavery would finally end. The ideas of the National Assembly in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen became a basis for ideas of how people should be treated under the eyes of the law. The Napoleonic Code of the modern legal system with the concepts of liberty, equality, and fraternity embodied in it greatly affected Latin America. Not only did these beliefs and trading to Latin America bring European ideas to the New World but it also greatly benefited the mother countries.

“If France sneezes, the rest of Europe catches a cold.” This quote truly represents the impact France has on the rest of Europe and the rest of the world. As seen in the French Revolution, French ideas are quickly spread throughout Europe and are picked up throughout the world.