Question bank: French Revolution: Constitutional Monarchy, National Convention, and Directory

What event marked the beginning of the French Revolution in 1789?

During the French Revolution, the Constitutional Monarchy was one of the first steps towards a more representative form of government, but political instability led to the National Convention and, subsequently, to the Directory. Analyzing the historical context and the characteristics of each of these periods, explain how Enlightenment ideas influenced the Constitutional Monarchy and how the consequences of political radicalization were reflected in the National Convention and later in the Directory. Furthermore, discuss the main internal policies adopted by each of these governments and how they impacted French society at the time. To complete your analysis, evaluate how the post-French Revolution context influenced European geopolitics and discussions on citizenship and individual rights on the continent.

The rise of the Directory was indeed a period of transition in French politics, marked by an attempt to restore order after the radicalism of the National Convention and the Terror period. The Directory was created with the intention of being a moderate government that would ensure stability and avoid the excesses of the recent past, including violent repression and radical economic policies. However, the Directory faced significant challenges, both internally and externally. Internally, political opposition persisted, with the reappearance of monarchist groups and dissatisfaction among sectors of the population with the economic situation and corruption in the government. Externally, France was at war with several European powers, which required considerable military effort and financial resources. The combination of these factors led to a weak and unstable government, which was forced to use repression and authoritarian measures to stay in power. The rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, a popular and victorious general, was facilitated by disillusionment with the Directory and the search for strong leadership. The coup d'état of 18 Brumaire was the culmination of this discontent, marking the end of the Directory and the beginning of the Napoleonic regime. The political dynamics of the time, with the power struggle among different revolutionary groups, contributed to the weakness of the Directory. The Girondins, Jacobins, and Thermidorians represented different views and interests, and their disputes weakened the republican institutions. The Girondins, moderate compared to the Jacobins, were defeated by the latter, who led the Terror period. The Thermidorians, in reaction to this radicalism, promoted the fall of the Jacobins and the establishment of the Directory, but they were also unable to provide effective and lasting governance. Ultimately, the French Revolution and its aftermath demonstrated the difficulty of establishing a stable and representative government in a context of deep political and social divisions, which opened the door to the emergence of authoritarian leaders like Napoleon.

During the French Revolution (1789-1799), French society underwent profound political, economic, and social transformations, driven by the bourgeoisie, peasants, and urban classes. a) Explain, based on historical evidence, the role of the bourgeoisie in the revolutionary process and how their interests were manifested. b) Address the situation of peasants and urban classes in the pre-revolutionary period and how this reality contributed to the outbreak of the revolution. c) Describe the importance of Enlightenment ideas and artistic expressions in consolidating revolutionary ideals and mobilizing the population during this period.

After several attempts to reform the French government during the 18th century, the discussions held in the Estates-General in 1789 culminated in a radical change in French political history: the French Revolution. During this period, several fundamental documents were created to shape modern democracy in the country, with emphasis on the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. What was the main objective of this document?