The French Revolution was a decade of political and social upheaval in France between the years of 1789 and 1799, which affected not only the French society and government, but had considerable repercussions for the rest of Europe as well. The primary changes that occurred as a result of the revolution included a switch in the French government from an absolute monarchy with a privileged clergy and aristocracy to a government ideally guided by nationalism and citizen rights, and principles of the Enlightenment philosophies of the 18th century . Though the country would be variously ruled in the following century, the effects of the initial revolution were lasting and are considered crucial to a study of the country's history, primarily because it resulted in the destruction of the ancient regime, which had been the rule in France since the Middle Ages.
[...] The traditions of the aristocratic culture prior to the revolution were toppled many times over, and while the revolution resulted in a France that was even more politically and socially unstable than before, the call for reform was unequivocally heard throughout the world. The French Revolution reflected the need for revolution throughout Europe, echoing the American Revolution in its rejection of monarchial rule. This was a sentiment felt throughout Europe as well as in the colonies of the European powers. [...]
[...] It was Louis' attempts to stabilize the country's finances and gain control of the deficit which resulted in a reorganization of political power. These changes gave rise to the revolution and initiated the chain of events which eventually resulted in his execution and the ousting of the ancient regime and monarchy. King Louis' initial attempts to rescue the government from financial ruin included the convention of what was called an Assembly of Notables, which consisted of 144 highly influential nobility, members of the clergy, magistracy and leading figures from principle towns, and was meant to evade the parliaments[3]. [...]
[...] So began a delicate thrust-and-parry type of dance between the government of the people and the monarchy. Ironically, the people began to emulate the principles of the American Revolution[13], to which King Louis had lent so much support, by looking to the Americans for inspiration in their reforms. The tri-colored cockade, a symbol of the revolution, became a common sight in the streets of Paris, and though the king himself accepted one during a visit to Paris, relations between the king and his people remained strained. [...]
[...] The growing power of the Assembly in turn resulted in the diminishment of the power of the monarchy, as the support of the greater population for the Assembly was apparent. Finance Minister Jacques Necker, having leant his support and input to the Assembly, had become a popular figure for the people, and an unpopular one within Versailles. Upon suggesting a budgeted lifestyle to the royal family on July 11th, Necker was dismissed from office by the king[11]. This, combined with an ever growing number of Royal soldiers in the cities, resulted in riots and protesting by the people in Paris. [...]
[...] As a result, the attitude of the population towards the institutions of monarchy and aristocracy in general, and the royal family in particular, must be acknowledged as the primary cause of the level of violence the French Revolution reached, leading eventually to the period known as the Great Terror, which lasted 49 days in June and July of 1794, and during which approximately 1400 men and women were executed under the blade of the guillotine[18]. Following the completion of the constitution in 1791, the fall of the Legislative Assembly and its constitutional monarchy, and a period of time spent at war with Louis' supporters, the king was stripped of his powers and the royal family became prisoners. [...]
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