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The
Reform in France
During the revolution all feudal obligations and practices were
wiped out together with the privileged classes. For the first
time in European history the people of a country were given freedom,
equality and civil liberties. Over half of the farming population
owned the land that they lived and farmed on. Educational, administrative,
financial and legal reforms created stability in France. These
new ideas that had never been heard of until then strengthened
France greatly. The French Revolution is historically important
because of the new reforms introduced. They showed the rest of
Europe that it was time to move on and put into practice these
ideas to try and make a country grow economically and politically.
The
Rise of Nationalism
As foreign powers allied
together and tried to destroy the revolution a rise in aggressive
nationalism took place in France. Revolutionary leaders started
to become very nationalistic and raised the first truly national
army ever in Europe. Soldiers in these patriotic armies believed
that they were fighting for France's freedom from oppression.
The immense enthusiasm that nationalism created in the people
of France was a great power. When the government used this energy
to mobilise the resources throughout the country against its foes
it created a whole new form of warfare that was devastating. The
French Revolution is very important from an historical point of
view because of the rise in Nationalism. It demonstrated to the
powers of Europe the importance and potency of nationalism.
The
Growth of Liberalism
It was widely believed by
Revolutionary leaders that this was a revolution of all mankind
to liberate the people of Europe from the oppression of absolute
power. The revolutionary armies spread ideas of the enlightenment
wherever they traveled. They abolished feudal practices in France's
territories. This spread in liberalism effected even the countries
France had not conquered. The people of these countries were very
impressed that the most established monarchy in Europe could be
overthrown by a revolution. Parliamentary reform was demanded
in Britain, Austria and Prussia. The French Revolution is important
because of this period when people throughout Europe broadened
their minds and new ideas of freedom spread throughout Europe.
So a great social change in countries throughout Europe occurred
which mainly benefited the third estate
Other
Revolutionary Movements
The French Revolution sparked
many other revolutions throughout the beginning of the nineteenth
century. This was a result of the success of the French Revolution
and the Declaration of the Rights of Man. When combined, liberalism
and nationalism can be very powerful as it was shown in South
America when many Spanish colonies revolted and won their independence.
The majority of these revolutions were unsuccessful but it showed
the nobility in Europe that they no longer had control of their
people and they could not keep walking over them. The French Revolution
was the inspiration for these movements so this is another reason
why it is historically important. It lead the way for other countries
to follow on the path to equality.
