Question 1: For what reasons, and with what results, was the French Revolution so

violent between 1789 and 1794?

Question 2: In what ways and for what reasons did the French Revolution 1) benefit
France and b) harm France?
Essay Outlines:

Question 1:

I. Introduction:

a. Thesis Statement: The French Revolution’s violence in 1789-1794 were

due to:

1. The radical change in government systems, the appearance of

political factions, and the instability and inexperience of
government systems.

2. Mistreatment of the lower classes for centuries.

3. The Authoritative Rule of the Terror

II. Government systems during the French Revolution were in a very instable
state.

a. Constant changes within the government and constitution caused lots

of confusion.

b. Many political factions abused this in order to gain power, and when
they did, they slaughtered the opposing side (Jacobins and Girondins).

c. Most of the people that were heading the government were learned
men but did not have governmental experience, so they were easily
swayed by people opinions in order to gain power.

1. Robespierre changes his mind on the important matter of execution

and says, “Times have changed.”

d. Political instability and inexperience led to violence in 1789-1794

because they were unable to control the violence that was escalating
in France.

III. The 3rd Estate had been mistreated for centuries, and they did not have any
rights until the Revolution:

a. The Revolution was a way for the lower classes to get back at the
nobles for the centuries of mistreatment.
 b. Fear of a royalist return made people suspect many people and accuse
them for unjustified reasons.

c. However, many people began to mistrust each other because of the

fear of being arrested themselves.

d. Fear and suspicion leads to a lot of killing and violence against each
other, not just the aristocrats.

Question 2:

I. Introduction:

a. Thesis Statement: The French Revolution was both beneficial and

detrimental. This is evidenced by:

1. Establishment of a democratic system which gave the lower classes

a chance to gain power.

2. Each citizen is given “unalienable rights”, destruction of Feudal

Society.

3. The violence of the dictatorial government of the Terror.

II. For the first time in France, the government was not just a hereditary
monarchy but something that citizens could actually say something about.

a. The creation of the National Assembly in 1789 gives voice to the 3rd
Estate, which was over 90% of the population.

b. Constitution of 1791 gives voting power to “active” citizens, which was

about 2/3 of the population of France.

c. Constitution of 1793 (although never enacted) calls for “Universal

Manhood Suffrage” and the direct election of representatives.

d. People voted for the electors who would then vote for the Assembly
members.

e. Mostly gave power to the upper 3rd Estate.

f. Although The French Revolution did not give power to all citizens in
France, it gave power to those who had never had such powers before,
allowing a more democratic process of government.

III. Also for the first time in France, all men are considered equal and deserve the
same rights.
 a. The Declaration of the Right of Man, created on August 26, 1789,
states that:

1. All men are born equal and free.

2. All men have the natural rights of Liberty, Property, Security, and
resistance from oppression.

3. Law is to be equal to all people, higher class or not.

4. Freedom of Thought and Religion.

b. The Constitution of 1791 confirms this further, saying “All men are
born free and remain equal in rights”.

c. Night of August 4th effectively dismantles Feudalism, as many nobles

and clergy give up their rights.

d. Although not fully implemented, the declaration that all men are born
equal and the destruction of Feudalism led to less difference between
the social classes, which benefited France because the society became
more democratic.

IV. However, The French Revolution had incredible amounts of violence in the
reign of the Terror:

a. All opposition or even lack of enthusiasm was seen as counter-

revolutionary actions and they were completely put down.

b. “The National Razor” was the method of killing at this time. This razor
took the lives of thousands of people, including King himself.

c. The Reign of Terror (1793-1794) was especially violent, and 16000

people were killed in a period of 16 months.

1. The leaders of this Reign had absolute power, which nullified the
previous ideals of the beginning of the revolution.

d. Power-hungry leaders took over the government and nullified the

previous achievements of the Revolution because of their violence and
authoritarian government.

V. The French Revolution cannot be considered solely beneficial or harmful,

because there were events that were beneficial and harmful, such as:

a. The establishment of a democratic government system.

b. Creation of Unalienable rights.

c. The Violence and authoritative government of the Terror.

d. This tells us that for any political movement, there will be two sides
and we must weigh them and be wary of the consequences.