French Revolution as the Most Important Event in European History - Essay Example

How did the French Revolution inspire the Russian revolutionary ideas? The French revolution has long served as an epitome towards different societies of the world. Since its occurrence in 1789 it has been used as a reference and comparative analysis view point with regard to the different revolutions that have taken place over period of time. The Russian revolution that took place nearly decade and a half after the occurrence of French revolution had number of elements and ingredients that can be compared for the inspiration and resemblance of the events of the French revolution. It can be safely said that any leader and any society that undertakes a path towards revolution and overthrow of the established status quo, would take the French revolution into account. The case of Russian revolution would by no means be an exception and there are sparkling resemblances based on which the revolution can be termed as an inspiration of the events that took place towards the end of the 18th century. Objectives: This paper looks into the multiple facets of the two revolutions that took place on either side of the century. These facets range from the social standing of the society, the satisfaction level of the masses, the developments in the industrial sector. The most important factor that will be assessed and compared for is the political aspirations and political domain of the revolution that originated as a result of the revolution. The inspiration analogy and comparison can be drawn from the social perspective, political perspective the actions undertaken accordingly and the possible outcomes that were drawn as a result of it. The long term goals set forth by each of the movements is another point that may lead to show that the Russian Revolution was an inspiration of the revolution. A movement that had started by the peasants and the commoners was another sparkling point of resemblance between the two revolutions. Social standing in both the countries and relative comparison: The two revolutions were preceded by the events of hostility and gulf between the masses and the rulers. In case of France three distinct set of citizens existed in the country. These were divided into the commoners (bourgeois), the Noble and the clergy. The three were divided with regard to the privileges enjoyed and the responsibilities upon them. In case of Russia, the two distinct classes were the nobles and the commoners. The standing was similar on account of the fact that the commoners like those of the French society had achieved much more as compared to the nobles who spent their days and routines in activities that were more oriented towards leisure. The ruling style of the Tsar was another element that was of similarity with regard to the existing alienation between the masses and the ruling regime. Based on this it may be said that the ideals of Russian revolution was based upon the inspiration from the French Revolution. Although the Russian revolution was aimed at eliminating the concept of private property, yet it aimed at removing the sense of depravity that long existed in the minds of the peasants. The peasants were long held hostages to the highhandedness of the land owners and other people of influence. In the case of French revolution, the socially humble class had succumbed to the atrocities suffered at the hands of the nobles who would eat from and take the shares of their investments and earnings. Edict of Fraternity vs. First International: The Edict of Fraternity was a move aimed at bringing about the concepts of French revolution in action in other parts of Europe as well. Although this created large resentment among the other neighboring states such as Austria and Prussia, in the same manner the Russian Revolution did not just aim at establishing the socialist state within Russia only, rather they aimed at establishing this order in the neighboring regions of the world as well. The post Second world war in the form of Cold War scenario saw the practical execution of these aims and inspiration when Churchill established pro Soviet governments in the regions like Ukraine, Hungry, East Germany and other regions that came under the influence as a result of the spoils of war from the sacrifices made by Soviet troops in the Second World War. Historic facts and traces accounts: The subject of Vladimir Lenin’s interest and level of knowledge regarding the French revolution is often debated for and discussed. To some there was no major influence of the revolution, however to others Lenin was in touch with the historic accounts as he went through the literary sections of the French revolution. The coming across through the content related to the French revolution in the form of Songs was a notable factor. Lenin also came across the works of the historians and great thinkers of the times of French revolution. The likes of these include “ The Gods are thirsty” and the works of Kropotkins(http://books.google.com.pk/books?id=eVKOSX0E2bUC&pg=PA162&lpg=PA162&dq=was+Lenin+inspired+by+French+Revolution&source=bl&ots=F3nmRCkzQd&sig=6lyrO5-T6wLuCPJ-TQ44ahua4K4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HDIwU_H4GIau7AbU8IGIBg&ved=0CFkQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=was%20Lenin%20inspired%20by%20French%20Revolution&f=false). In case of France, it was the unnecessary wars that were fought for the bulk of 18th century which resulted in the hunger, depravity and the alienation of the masses from the rulers. In the case of Russia, it was the unneeded and unwarranted influence establishment of the Russian ruling regime in the weaker states which drew and diverted their focus away from the core issue of the public safety and public welfare, which in turn gave them a chance of upsetting the status quo through the presence of the political parties headed by the likes of Lenin. Degradation of the monarchy: In each of the case the monarchy and the kingdom was marred by scandals, inefficiency and eating up of the resources. In the case of French revolution and French society, the King’s brother King Louis the XV was associated with the presence and influence of the famous Madame Pompadour. She had large influence on the French Courts and was closely associated with the King in those days. It resulted in the creation of the scandals against the nobility. She formally enjoyed the status of being the mistress to the King in those days. A similar account of affair was seen in the Russian society. It came about in the form of the presence of the infamous Grigori Rasputin. Rasputin was an individual who created stir in the Russian society in the days leading to the Revolution. A man with superficial powers and he was believed to have had an impact on the Tsarina’s behavior. It gave the opponents a chance to create speculations and rumors about the Tsar and overall family’s character. Being a mystic he was assigned the task to help the Tsarina with the birth of the child, to some it went beyond an acceptable line of help and treatment. The cause and case was later on discussed in the local Dumas as well and the Tsar had to face severe criticism on account of this individual’s presence and influence. Hence the presence of individuals such as Madame de Pompadour and Grigori Rasputin are another area of comparison that are usually drawn between the two revolutions and the possible reasons that lead to the occurrence and initiation of the revolution. The affiliation of the Rasputin was a subject of discontent and alienation of the masses. Political legacy drawing: The French revolution was famous for the rise of the Jacobins. Jacobins were completely outlaw and reactionary in their existence. The lead of this moment was Maximilien Robespierre. His ideas were totally reactionary and were aimed at the continuous forward movement of the revolution. The individual in the French revolution who could draw analogy from the movement was that of Vladimir Lenin. The mastermind of the entire Russian revolution. While his contemporaries demanded halting of the revolutionary process, Vladimir Lenin stressed for an international revolutionary movement aimed at establishing international order of socialism that was to be engineered along the lines of communism. In the French revolution’s background the front runners were the Jacobins and Girondins. In the case of Russian revolution it was the Bolsheviks and Mensheviks. The former were outright revolutionary in their actions and agendas while the latter wanted settlement of the revolution. This was another point upon which it can be inferred that the revolutionary ideas of Vladimir Lenin were influenced and inspired from those of French revolution. Social progress: Each of the revolutionary movement came about a time when there was global development and progress with regard to the social standing. For example the French revolution took place at a time when the Industrial revolution and Industrial progress on show in different parts of Europe, since the people had an idea of the gains from this progress, this in turn resulted in the resentment against the monarchy that was absolute and alienated from the outer world and it paid little regard to the people’s concerns. In the same manner, the Russian revolution took place at a time when the scientific development and other progresses such as steam engine and automobile field had seen progress. This in turn gave the people a louder cry with regard to the social progress and development. Other comparisons that can be drawn between the two revolutions in terms of the previous events were the wars that were fought earlier. In the case of French revolution, the Seven years long war that was fought with Great Britain previously had led to no major success, and this in turn led to the people’s and the army’s frustration. In the context of the Russian revolution, the First World War and the subsequent humiliation of the Russian troops and the entire army led to the demand and desire for a new setup that would provide protection to the sovereignty of the people and the land. Financial status: The financial status of French society and the bankruptcy of the financial institutions were of similarity between the two countries. In France, the economy was brought to shambles on account of spendings by the king and the monarchy as well as the expensive wars being fought against the Great Britain. In case of Russia, the expenses incurred in the First World War led to empting of the economic institutions. Presence of the ideals: In the case of the French revolution, it was the presence of Voltaire who brought about a revolutionary and reactionary mindset and philosophy. Based on this, the people of France prepared their minds for a reactionary onslaught against the status quo. In the case of Russian revolution the path was set forth by the world famous Karl Marx. He had nearly three decades ago presented his philosophy of communism and the overthrown of the status quo. Based on this, the leads of Russian revolution attained upon a philosophy that was aimed at bringing about a new political order that was absolutely contrasting and reactionary as compared to the previously existent monarchy and the corrupt rule of nobles. Conclusion: Through the study and assessment of the various facets of the Russian revolution, it can be safely inferred that there were large number of factors that can be easily drawn as an inspiration of the French revolution. These events and inspirations can be co-related to the individual character of Vladimir Putin, his successors, and the overall social mindset that later on followed through the scheme of actions as they unfolded. Though no clear and declared reference can be inferred to the following of Lenin’s path and ideology of French revolution, but it can be safely said that such an influential and powerful thinking individual would not undertake the concept of revolution without the study of the revolutions that may have taken place in the contemporary times .This fact and claim is further supported by and strengthened by the fact that French revolution serves as one of the most important event in the history of European History upon which the modern day concepts and social standards of European society are established . The two revolutions serve as the major epoch in the modern history and both are characterized by sparkling similarities and uniqueness at the same time. Read More