The Mentality of the French Revolution - 1496 Words

Terrorism is often associated nowadays with radical extremist groups, who use terror as their only method of power to attain their goals from others. The first time â€Å"terror† was actually used however was during the French revolution. The reign of terror was seen in the aftermath of the execution of the King. It was a product of the mentality of the revolution. With everyday that passed, the uncertainty amongst the people grew, and actions became more and more drastic. With the King no longer in the picture, the Jacobins and the Girondins were more enemies to one another than ever before. During the French Revolution, it can be debated whether or not the terror that was used can be seen as a sign of power or as a sign of weakness. Whether†¦show more content†¦The arrest of suspects by surveillance committees was directed at those who, by word, action or status, were associated with â€Å"the Ancien Regime.† The suspects included a wide array of citizens fro m nobles and office holders to women left to represent family names, to clergy and shopkeepers. All government bodies and the army were placed under the control of the Committee, which had to report weekly to the Convention. This is where in the extreme view of people like Robespierre and Gamelin, people were inflicted with panic and fear. Some people who were not counter-revolutionaries could be convicted of based merely on their lifestyle. Living wealthily was associated suddenly with the old regime. Having indulgences was frowned upon and perusing a simple life was patriot way of the citizens. All of these things began to be associated with evil and corruption in the eyes of Gamelin and Robespierre. That October began the series of executions by guillotine, and so began the Reign of Terror. The sweeping brutality of the Terror in France utilized the guillotine, propaganda, intimidation, coercion, firing squads, detentions, and surveillance to discourage political opposition. All such opposition at this time was considered treachery and punishable with the threat of execution. If you were seen just talking with someone who might be suspected ofShow MoreRelatedGreat Philosophers Like Adam Smith, Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr.1589 Words   |  7 PagesSchlesinger Jr. and Sarkar have proven revolutions to be a buildup of cyclical events. Political, economic, and social events have a pattern that they follow and move as never ending cycles rather than having specific starting and ending points. Revolutions originate from a convergence of cyclical economic, political, and social, events that work together to create an uprising or disturbance within a mass of people. The roots of these cycles are mother nature, the mentality of the masses, and military strengthRead MoreFrench Rev olution: the Solution to Class Inequality1141 Words   |  5 Pages The French Revolution was one of the most important events that occurred in the history of France. The revolution crumpled the Old Regime and completely transformed the social and political system of France. The people of France sought to establish a more egalitarian society through their newly created Republic. When Enlightenment thinkers such as John Locke, Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Baron de Montesquieu introduced individual liberty, natural rights and equality the ideas of revolution emergedRead MoreA Tale Of Two Cities Essay1471 Words   |  6 Pages Charles Dickens wrote A Tale of Two Cities in order to enlighten the average Briton about the events of the French Revolution. The novel compares and contrasts cities of London and Paris, which represent French and British society, through the eyes of Dickens’ human characters. The two cities play such a large part in the novel that they become characters themselves, and the contrasting societies of the two cities become a conflict. In Charles Dickens’ classic, A Tale of Two Cities, the individualisticRead MoreIn 1789, The Old Regime Came To An End With The Beginning1283 Words   |  6 Pagesend with the beginning of the French Revolution. The patchwork quilt of the old French system had been swept away. While the changes of the French government and society were not sudden, the mentality and the philosophy of the people changed suddenly to allow for the practical changes to come around. Looking at who is to be a citizen, religious minorities, and women, the ideal for a new system came suddenly from the enlightenment, which allowed practical changes in French society at a slower pace. Read MoreEssay On The Causes Of The French And American Revolution1061 Words   |  5 PagesThe American, French, Haitian, and Mexican revolutions are epitomes of responsible citizens advocating for social and political upheaval in hopes of saving and furthering their states. These revolutions, more than others, exemplify nations that rebelled against governments which maliciously abused their power. The American Revolution focused on achieving independence from Britain, as Britain abused their power by unfairly taxing colonists. The Mexican Revolution concentrated on eliminating dictatorshipRead MoreThe Use of Mobs in â€Å"a Tale of Two Cities†1493 Words   |  6 PagesDickens uses the mob mentality to depict the bloody horror and the ultimate success of the French Revolution. In the book, Dickens portrays the people as having the hatred necessary for mob violence. Immediately, the book shows us an example how such hatred was created. When a youth’s hands were chopped off, â€Å"tongue torn out with pincers† and â€Å"his body burned alive† it shows the violence and torture that led to the French revolution. The youth represents the weak in French society just like theRead MoreSocial Structure Of France During The French Revolution Essay1255 Words   |  6 PagesThe French Revolution was a time of period where social and political was a disruption in France that lasted from 1789 until 1799. This time of period affected Social Structure of France prior to the French Revolution. The factors that caused this revolution was due to having a bad government system, weak superiority, and inequality of the classes of people in France during the war. In this research, I will define and explain how Social Structure contributed to the Frenc h Revolution ResentmentRead MoreLiberalism in French Revolution Through Enlightenment1593 Words   |  7 PagesTHE LIBERAL REVOLUTION -UNDER THE IDEA OF ENLIGHTENMENT Dare to know! Have courage to use your own reason!-Kant Contents ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: 3 FRENCH SOCIETY: 3 THE LIBERAL REVOLUTION: 3 CRITICISM ON THE IDEA OF LIBERALISM: 4 CONCLUSION 5 BIBLIOGRAPHY 6 ENLIGHTENMENT AS AN IDEA: â€Å"Enlightenment is mans emergence from his self-imposed nonage†¦ Sapere Aude! Dare to Know! Have the courage to use your own understanding is therefore the motto of the EnlightenmentRead MoreThe French Revolution And The Revolution1640 Words   |  7 Pages The French Revolution is often seen as one of the most influential and significant events in world history (Voices 9). The surge of rebellion present in those against the old regime, or Ancien Rà ©gime, inspired reformers for generations to come. Nevertheless, the French Revolution would not have occurred without the aid of the Enlightenment Thinkers, or Philosophà ©s. These Philosophà ©s’ ideas sparked the French Revolution. Prior to the French Revolution, France was radically different. It was theRead MoreCommunist Manifesto And Abraham Kuyper s The Problem Of Poverty1385 Words   |  6 Pagesgroups then presents the political movement of Communism as a solution to the contrast. Kuyper, on the other hand, focuses his presentation on the idolization of monetary wealth over the sovereignty of God beginning at the conclusion of the French Revolution. Kuyper’s writing not only presents a religious solution to class struggle, but is also a response of Christians to Marx’s manifesto of 1848. In 1848, Karl Marx, with the assistance of Friedrich Engels, presented a strong viewpoint of the socio-economic