What did the French Revolution achieve for the bourgeoisie in terms of liberty - Essay Example

What the Bourgeoisie Achieved After the French Revolution Although some historians dispute one another concerning thecauses of the French Revolution, there are other reasons commonly adduced. One of the reasons was the increased concern that the rich people of that time called the bourgeoisie were unconsidered in the political power and honorary positions. That group of people included merchants, professionals and manufacturers, who were wealthy commoners. This category of individuals wanted recognition in the society and as such, they could not accept an aristocratic leadership system of the era. This work describes what the bourgeoisie achieved after the revolution with a consideration that they wanted liberty (Neely 247).
The Idea of Liberty
The aristocratic revolt of 1787 to 1789 happened at a time when members of the Third Estate were an oppressed group. They considered themselves discriminated in terms of the political, legal, and social perspectives. Though he seldom did so, the king could give lettres du cachet on his opponents in politics and imprison them without trying them. The feudal overlords compelled peasants to abandon their homes and fulfil the hated corvee, a form of unpaid labor. The ecclesiastical and seigniorial courts imposed the death penalty on the less privileged without allowing them the right to appeal. As such, torture was a common activity during that time, and it targeted the less privileged. The desire for change drove the people to revolt against aristocratic leadership with all forms of persecutions.
Achievements of the Revolution
The first was liberty from over taxation at the expense of the rich. Before the revolution, the tax systems spared the wealthy members of the society and left out the rich. Such an idea gave the weak hints that the power regime treated them unfairly (Jones 154). Soon after the revolt, all people became equal before the law. Another factor is the consideration that job opportunities were available to all individuals based on merit and not according to class. Initially, there existed a system where only the affluent class could secure job opportunities. It, therefore, means that the feelings of discrimination that formerly existed started to fade away. There was also an abolishment of the old feudal system of governance, and a more flexible system replaced it. The clergy and the aristocracy ceased being the most prominent in the society as they had initially enjoyed. Instead, the bourgeoisie assumed the position of the most influential group of people in France. The system of governance became a basis of democracy in many other countries who copied from France (Fukuyama 56).
Conclusion
The French Revolution from 1787 to 1789 marked a turning point in the country’s system of governance in the country. The bourgeoisie succeeded in freeing themselves from political, legal, and economic oppression of the previous regimes. After the revolution, they had a chance to influence decisions in the country. They also succeeded in gaining equality in terms of job opportunities and unfair taxation. At this point, there is a reflection that the results of the revolution gave Europe an idea that they could live in a democracy.
Works Cited
Fukuyama, Francis. The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution. London: Profile books, 2011. Print.
Jones, Peter. The French Revolution, 1787-1804. London: Pearson Longman, 2003. Print.
Neely, Sylvia. A Concise History of the French Revolution. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2008. Print. Read More