Transformation and Continuity in France: 18th Century Shifts

Categories: France French Revolution Napoleon

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The essay "Change/Continuity AP essay for World History class" explores the transformation and consistency in France from the mid-1700s to the mid-1800s. During this time, there was a noticeable shift in attitudes towards the monarchy, nobility, and Catholic Church as Enlightenment ideals of equality, liberty, and democracy gained traction. The social and political changes can be seen through three key phases - the weakened monarchy under King Louis XVI, Napoleon Bonaparte's rise and fall, and the new order established at the Congress of Vienna.

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Despite these significant shifts influenced by Enlightenment ideas, nationalism, and international relations, gender roles remained largely unchanged with men holding onto economic power while some women advocated for women's rights.In the 1700s, France emerged as a leader in Europe with influential philosophers such as Voltaire and Montesquieu. Despite its progress, internal turmoil and civil unrest plagued the country. King Louis XVI disregarded the growing rebellions inspired by Enlightenment ideals, leading to demands for equality and liberty from lower classes.

The storming of Bastille prison on July 14, 1789 marked the beginning of the revolution. The National Assembly assumed control, stripping privileges from the First and Second Estates and establishing a limited constitutional monarchy with Legislative power. Austria and Prussia sought to preserve absolute monarchy throughout Europe by suppressing the French revolution to prevent similar uprisings in their own territories.The Legislative Assembly reacted by overthrowing the king, setting aside the Constitution of 1791, and establishing a new governing body. This led to a Reign of Terror in which the Jacobins, followed by Robespierre, took control and implemented extreme policies including mass executions.

The guillotine gained popularity during this period. Eventually, the Reign of Terror came to an end and a moderate government called the Directory assumed power. France underwent a transition from absolute monarchy to radical rule and then to a more moderate form of government. Women played a crucial role in spreading new ideas by hosting Enlightenment thinkers in their salons, facilitating the development and dissemination of new philosophies. Despite their contributions, women had limited direct power and were still considered inferior to men; however, new Enlightenment ideals promoting equality were beginning to emerge.The Directory appointed Napoleon Bonaparte, a skilled military leader, as general of the French army. Later on, he became one of three counsels with executive power. However, Napoleon's coup d'etat placed all of France under his control and reverted it to an absolute monarchy. Despite his Hobbesian policies, Napoleon's reign promoted Enlightenment ideals such as equalizing taxation, reformation of the corrupt government, balancing state and church power, and establishing the Napoleonic Code. While he failed in Egypt, he successfully thwarted the Austrian threat. Napoleon shifted his focus from the New World to European dominance by conquering neighboring countries and gaining control over Spain and Portugal.

Unfortunately, his three mistakes - the Continental System, the Peninsular War, and the invasion of Russia - eventually caused his downfall.

The Fourth Coalition, comprised of Britain, Russia, Prussia, Sweden, and Austria, defeated Napoleon and exiled him to the island of Elba. Despite a brief attempt to regain control of France, called the Hundred Days, Napoleon would never again dominate France. During Napoleon's reign, France saw the return of the absolute ruler. However, growing nationalism brought about Napoleon's removal from power. This period is also marked by the continuity of woman's role in France. Despite the tumultuous events of the time, women saw little change in their rights and status. Philosophers like Mary Wollstonecraft found little support for her ideas and France politics and society continued to be a male dominated arena.

After Napoleon's downfall, the Congress of Vienna, which included Prussia, Russia, Austria, Britain, and France, convened to establish peace. They implemented conservative measures to redesign the map of Europe in order to maintain a balance of power and reinstate monarchies, bringing stability to Europe until 1853. Despite this, the French Revolution had sparked a rise in nationalism as conquered territories began to seek independence, although many uprisings were unsuccessful. Eventually, France experienced one last revolution that abolished the monarchy permanently and established a democratic republic.

France successfully transitioned from absolute monarchy to democracy, bringing social changes like the abolition of serfdom in Western Europe, the diminishing influence of the nobility, and the rising significance of wealth in power dynamics. Women persistently advocated for rights, including suffrage, yet faced lukewarm reactions. Despite the dramatic political shifts in France, gender roles remained largely unchanged, illustrating the ongoing subordination of women from the era of Louis XVI through the Congress of Vienna.

On a global scale, the basic trends of the French Revolution were very similar to those of the American Revolution. Both were flamed by Enlightenment thinkers advocating equality and liberty and democracy over monarchy and Church control. Both would encourage other rebellions later on - the American Revolutionary ideas would spread to Latin America while French Revolution sentiments would bring about revolts in Germany, Hungary, and other parts of Europe. Woman's rights also remained rather static in both areas of the world; it would be several more years before women's rights were considered seriously. The main difference, however, lay in the fact that while the US simply separated itself from Britain authority, France underwent the whole transformation, from absolute monarchy to democracy, despite the periods of unrest in between.

The 18th century in Europe saw significant changes, as France's shift from absolute monarchy to democracy showcased the influence of Enlightenment thinkers and the rise of nationalism. The importance of domestic stability and a content lower class became evident during this period. Three distinct phases - Louis XVI's rule and the Reign of Terror, Napoleon's reign, and Europe post-Congress of Vienna - highlighted this political transformation. Despite these shifts, women's rights and status remained relatively unchanged, with gender roles persisting. The French Revolution shared similarities with the American Revolution, reflecting a global trend towards stronger democratic governments.