Consequences Of The Revolution

The French Revolution refers to the period from 1789 to 1799 during which the Bourbon Monarchy in France was overthrown and the Roman Catholic Church had to undergo radical restructuring from within. 

The most important and radical consequence of the French Revolution is undoubtedly the abolition of Feudalism. With the complete collapse of the existing regime, all elements of feudalism were abolished including serfdom and the rights of both the nobility and the clergy were taken away. 

The French Revolution established a new order based on the famous 'Declaration of the Rights of Man'. The main theme of the French Revolution, 'Liberty, Equality and Fraternity', later became one of the most revered political dogmas across the world. The Revolution is credited with having helped in spreading the ideas of democracy and nationalism across the world. The French Revolution was the death knoll for the rule of the monarchy, paving the way for democracy. It also brought about a lot of economic and social reforms, not only in France, but across Europe.

 The French Revolution had many permanent results, which proved to be of great value. This Revolution affected not only the people of France, but also changed the course of human history.

There was a complete collapse of the ancient regime. The French Revolution abolished all elements of feudalism including serfdom. The privileges of the clergy and the nobility also came to an end.

A new order was established based on the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man’. The Declaration possesses a very important place in the history of man, along with other documents of world - wide importance, such as the English Magna Carta of the 13th century, and the American Declaration of Independence of the 18th century.

The main theme of the French Revolution was "Liberty, Equality and Fraternity". For the French, Liberty meant the rights to property, security of life, to resistance, to worship, to freedom of speech, expression and the press. Equality meant the absence of all elements of feudalism, including serfdom and the privileges of the clergy and the nobility.

The Revolution spread the ideas of nationalism and democracy throughout the length and breath of the world. The French democratic slogan, "Liberty Equality, Fraternity," soon became the watchword of the suppressed and the oppressed peoples of the world. The philosophy of Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu and Voltaire awakened the peoples of the world from their long slumber of ignorance and united them to fight for the cause of nationalism and democracy.

The whole of Europe felt the impact of the Revolution of 1789. Indeed, European history merges into the history of one nation, one event, and one man: the nation is France, the event is the French revolution, and the man is Napoleon, " a child of the Revolution".

The Revolution of 1789 sealed the fate of monarchy, once for all. It paved the way for democracy. The makers of the Revolution established the idea of a limited monarch. When the Bourbons came back to the throne, after the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, they were expected to play the role of limited or constitutional monarchs.

The National Assembly, followed by the National Convention, began several social and economic reforms. It abolished negro slavery and imprisonment for debt. Women were guaranteed protection in their property claims in common with men. New laws of inheritance were passed, by which all heirs were to inherit the property equally. Napoleon’s conquests had such a great impact that the revolutionary ideas of nationalism, patriotism and democracy spread throughout Europe.

The Metric system was another effect of the Revolution, which was later adopted by the whole of Europe and some Asian countries too.

The French Revolution was a beacon of inspiration and hope to suffering humanity, even though it advised moderation in the attainment of freedom.