The French Revolution is often depicted as a process of growing violence, underpinned by more and more radical theories. Indeed, a Manichean view often leads people to believe that France was peaceful in the beginning of 1789, and turned violent and radical in 1793. In other word, it is often said that the French Revolution is a period of constant and growing radicalization. Nevertheless, this view is not correct. I think the word radicalization is very ambiguous, that is why one need to give a precise definition of this concept. To me, the word “radicalization” has to be analysed through different perspectives. First, this term put an emphasis on theories, which have proved to me more and more radical, that is to say hostile to the Ancien Régime. Second, the term radicalization asks the question: who gets power? Third, I think that the level of violence is linked to the term radicalization. On top of that, the radicalization is due to different events, such as the Tennis Court oath, flight of the King… Which events provoked the radicalization of the French Revolution? What are the main characteristics of this Revolution?
[...] Moreover, the victories of the revolutionary army in September and October 1793 Wattignies and Hondschoote legitimized the power of the committee of public safety. To conclude, one can say that the radicalization of the French Revolution has been provoked by events, such as the massacre of the Champ de Mars, the flight to Varennes or the arrest of 20 girondin deputies in June 1793. Circumstances also played a key role in the radicalization of the French Revolution; in 1789, the economic crisis has been a key element in the events of the summer, while in 1793, the war and the [...]
[...] The major aim of the Estate Generals was to find a solution in order to avoid bankruptcy and to reduce inequalities. In 1789, the purpose of deputies elected by the third estate was not to topple the King. They wanted to find a solution to reduce the burden of taxes. Indeed, many feudal taxes were considered as unfair. For instance, the majority of the cahiers de doléances claimed for the abolition of the corvée. The corvée obliged peasants to do public works on roads without being paid. [...]
[...] To me, those phases clearly show the process by which the radicalization of the French Revolution occurred. As Jacques Godechot shows in his book, La Prise de la Bastille, the beginnings of the French Revolution were very violent. However, this violence was not really underpinned by a strong will of overthrowing the monarchy, but rather by the desire of creating a more equal society. What's more has been a year of economic crisis, since the price of bread was growing and growing. [...]
[...] The decree of December 22nd 1789 stated that qualifications necessary for active citizenship are: [ ] be over 25 of age, to be actually domiciled in the canton for at least a year, to pay a direct tax equal to the local value of three day's labour, not to be in position of domesticity, that is to say, of hired servant”. Needless to say that most Frenchmen were excluded from active citizenship. In other words, the deputies of the constituent assembly were still convinced that some men were more skilled than others to have a say in the French public life. [...]
[...] Indeed, in most cities, clubs widespread the ideas of the French Revolution, by organizing debates and telling the events of Paris to the population. It was the beginning of the golden age of small leaders, who organized demonstrations, reunions, parties, and became part of the life of most French people. There is no doubt that those clubs have played a major role in the radicalization of the French Revolution. For instance, the triggered the anger of the population by depicting priests who did not want to take the oath as public enemies. [...]
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