Politics and Theater: The Crisis of Legitimacy in Restoration France - Essay Example

The French Revolution was one of the most unique and substantive event that took place in the European history in modern times. It is single event that is considered as a factor determinant upon the present day outlook and functions undertaking in European political sphere. The impact and domain of French revolution was a farfetched one. It had its impacts on social, economic, religious, and political aspects. The objectives of this paper are to look into the political aspects, innovations and events that unfolded with the proceedings of the French revolution. The entire journey the political sphere of France underwent its course and the future path that it set forth. Out of many causes and factors that led to the initiation of the French Revolution, the political struggle, the process and journey undertaken was one of the main influence and describing factor of the revolution. The mention of the revolution would remain incomplete without the mention of the events, the policies and philosophies that were introduced in the political corridors throughout the course of the French Revolution. It was the political deprivation that had led to the resentment and feeling of alienation within the society. The case of voting by orders against voting by counts and heads was the main point of conflict. The General Assembly was existent only in name, and the last time it met, it was only in the beginning of the 17th century in 1614(Hill 2002). Since then it had not met. Like the rest of the Europe, France has had a history of being ruled by the monarchs. The dynastic rules being ruled by families was a prominent and common affair. In France it was King Louis XVI who was in power at the time of French revolution. He had succeeded his brother King Louis the XV. The dynastic and monarchic style of ruling had led to gulf building between the masses and the rulers. As a result of which, resentment crept in the ranks and the people started demanding for reforms. The reforms so demanded were of such nature that would provide them a relatively louder voice and better representation unlike the pre revolutionary days. Once the revolution set off, the monarchy was sent packing. The king and his authority were marginalized and were cornered to a ceremonial post and function only. In times ahead, the king would see further humiliation, alienation and subsequent persecution and ultimate elimination. The following were major events and entities that came forth in the form of political innovation and activities in the course of French Revolution. This was the first and formal political setup established in the post French revolution initiation. The policies and actions of this form of government were three fold. The first was regarding the determination of the future of the king. The span of ruling of the National Assembly lasted from 1789 to 1791 and was considerably successful in its activities and functions. The second was the handling of the case of Émigrés who had taken refuge in the side by suburbs and were aiming to thwart the revolutionary process. Other notable actions that came about were in form of the “Declaration of the Rights of People”, the taxes enactment, the declaration of the active and passive citizens in context of paying taxes. The active citizens had more privileges and were entitled to voting and reach to the representative pillars of the political spectrum. The storming of Bastille, the Tennis Court Oath all were the events that unfolded during the 1789-1791 (Fitzsimmons 2002). The slogan of “Equality, Liberty and Fraternity” was enacted in these days and was the major manifesto of the political form of ruling in the National Assembly as well as the future forms of governance and political styles that would follow in times ahead. The Legislative Assembly can be marked as the second phase of the revolution. This was a transition phase as well and the country and its political sphere were headed towards more people oriented form of government. The major events and incidents that took place during this phase pertained to the curtailing of the threats that were faced from the Émigrés who had taken asylum, shelter and protection of the neighboring countries. The future determination of the King was another factor that was to be decided. The replacement of the Bourbon flag by a tri color flag which marked as the emblem of freedom and fight against the monarchic rule and ruling were other significant events of the Legislative Assembly. The handling of the internal crisis which were hawking into the eyes in the form of financial instability and the corruption within were other two major factors that were the functioning priority of the Legislative Assembly of France. The legislative Assembly was intact from October 1971 and was in place till 1792. It was brought to an end by a more repressive and hardliner political movement that would give the French Revolution a totally new dimension and a more blood bathed outlook. The span of duration of Convention lasted from 1792 to 1795. This was one of the most happening events of the revolution and to some experts it was the reverting of the revolution as it brought about bloodshed, oppression and culmination and termination of the rivals. To others it was the event that freed the society of the traces of the pre revolutionary France and set precedence for a free, democratic and people’s desired and driven society. The era of convention was dominated by the presence of two major parties. One was the Girondins and other was the Jacobins. The former were constructively positive in their nature, the latter were outright reactionary and wanted to eliminate anything and anyone who has had traces and association with the pre revolutionary society. The notable events of this era were multifold. These events ranged from internal events to foreign. The foreign events included the handling of the war and response of military towards Austria and Prussia. These two nations had risen against France on account of the Edict of Fraternity that was spread with aims of abrogating all the autocratic governments in adjoining parts of the continent Europe. The Austrians also indulged and interfered on account of the help sought by the Émigrés and the element of the Louise Antoinette who actually hailed from Austria and was of Austrian background. On January 21st 1793 (Kroen 2000) the major event came about when the parliament approved the bill and move regarding the future determination of the King. The unfortunate King Louis the XVI. He was ultimately guillotined and the purpose and message of the French revolution was nearly complete. This to some experts was the completion of the first phase of the revolution. The move regarding the guillotining of the King was approved in the vote of 387 against 334 nays presented against it. From this point of, the Jacobins did not look back. They back outright fascist in their approach and the opposition had no space and place. Anyone according to them who stood in the way of revolution had no place but guillotine. The major events and rules of their organization included the following. Law of Suspects: Under this principle, any individual regardless of his affiliation and past history, if anything was suspected against his actions or intention aiming to thwart the course of French revolution would be guillotined. This resulted in rise of large criticism from foreign elements as well as from French society within. The second major entity and element of that phase was the institution of terror. This was the practical demonstration of any action undertaken in the parliament and by the decision makers of that government. Committee of Public Safety was another major event and entity of that particular era. The points set forth in this vow was to give the people a more equal representation in the power and decision making, along with the protection of the borders of France from the foreign invaders and aggressive forces that aimed at thwarting the progress of the French revolution (Williams 2013). The Thermodian Coup was another significant event in the entire history of the political sphere of French revolution. It came about in form of the abrogation, and termination of the Jacobin’s government. The overturning of the government came about in a most brutal way with the proponent and front man of entire revolution suffering the fate of being guillotined. Maximilien Robespierre was guillotined on account of suspicion within. It is being said that the revolution eats of its own. The same can be said about Maximilien Robespierre who was the pioneer and the one with most reactionary and influencing ideas and had great role in the entire event of revolution. He was the one who advocated the usage of guillotine and he suffered the same fate and died at the hands of it. The Directory lasted from 1795 to 1799. This was a democratically elected government. It had number of features and elements to it that can be applauded. The fact that a bicameral legislature was established by it gave it a democratic look. The enactment of taxes made it more democratic in its outlook as well. The law of two thirds was in place. Under this principle the two third of the members making to the legislative pillars had to be from the Convention that were previously in power and authority. France was declared a Republic and any traces of monarchy or aristocratic government were absolutely washed out. However, the Directory was faced with number of challenges. These challenges were both internal and external in form. The internal were included the incompetency of the people involved, the allegations of corruption being put up against number of individuals, the crisis within, the financial mismanagements, the debts that the French economy owed, the overall sink age. The political strife within between the Radicals and the Constitutionalists made it more so difficult towards governing in a more amicable manner. Brumaire Coup: This was perhaps another important moment in the entire political spectrum of French revolution. It set the course of political activities along the line of new dimensions, on the road towards dictatorship and military rule. This came about in form of Napoleon. The event of Brumaire coup made it possible for France to get a leader like Napoleon Bonaparte. He would turn the fortunes of France and would swing the entire continent over his fingers for next 15 years. It was the gift of the entire events and whirlpool that the French political field underwent. The era of Napoleon was not a conventional dictatorship based era, rather his rule goes into history as one that had traces of good governance, people’s rights in the form of Code of Napoleon, Penal Code, commercial code and various other functions enacted towards the betterment of the masses. Bringing up France as one of the most prominent and influential countries of Europe was as a result of the political landscape set up back home (Fremont-Barnes 2007). Conclusion: Overall, France had seen shade of everything in political scene. The change of government between monarchy, dictatorship and democracy in between summed up the overall standing of the French Revolution. None of this would be possible without the occurrence of French Revolution. While the social domain underwent the change on large scale, the political scene saw a total revamping and change of color and taste in form of French revolution. From the overall journey undergone in different shades and forms the political struggle enabled gaining the following achievements. Nationalism which was little known to the French before was introduced in the mindset of the people. Establishment of the strong army under the political leadership, abolishment of the feudalism, the enactment of the slogan of Equality, Liberty and Fraternity along with the bringing of the clergy under the umbrella and control of constitution. Progress and reforms within the social spectrum were also a result of the political journey undergone. References: Fitzsimmons, Michael P. The Remaking of France: The National Assembly and the Constitution of 1791. Cambridge University Press, 2002, 45-89 Fremont-Barnes, Gregory. Encyclopedia of the Age of Political Revolutions and New Ideologies, 1760-1815: A-L. Greenwood Publishing Group, 2007. 35-123 Hill, Christopher. The Century of Revolution, 1603-1714. Psychology Press, 2002.44-143 Kroen, Sheryl. Politics and Theater: The Crisis of Legitimacy in Restoration France, 1815-1830. University of California Press, 2000., 45- 235 Williams, Russell. Cambridge International AS Level European History 1789-1917. Cambridge University Press, 2013., 22- 50 Read More