During the French Revolution, the people of France were going through tough times. Most of the people that were a part of the third estate were poor and had no rights or privileges. Although this revolution was inspired by the English and the American revolutions, it would become more significant than its predecessors. The Fall of Bastille, Establishment of a Constitution, and the Reign of Terror proved to be some of the most significant events for the revolution and the people of France.
The Fall of Bastille was the first major event during the revolution. Following the creation of the National Assembly, the third estate was tired of waiting for change. Riots had started as a result of the inflation of bread prices and the riots have progressively gotten worse. On July 14th 1789, the people decided to take things into their own hands and a large mob decided to attack the Bastille. The Fall of Bastille was a significant event because there is an immediate impact, and it shaped the course of the event. Many of the following would follow the footsteps of this attack and this showed how much power the people had. The Bastille was a symbol of injustice and its downfall increased the moral of the people. In many ways this event was a turning point because it was the first time the French people realized how powerless the king was over his people. It was also a turning point because this event inspired the creation of the Declaration of The Right of Man and Citizen which guaranteed equality to all citizens. If the Fall of Bastille did not happen, then the Declaration may not have been created resulting in a totally different outcome to the revolution. This was the first event that showed the people wanted change.
The second significant event in the revolution was the Establishment of a New Constitution. France was starting to improve for the better. However, there were still huge issues that the National Assembly had to deal with. The French people were still divided into Three Estates. The first and second estates had many rights and privileges that the third did not have. The third estate were the peasants and bourgeoisie which contained 98% of the world’s population. They were mostly poor and worked as farmers for noble land lords. Because of this, their living conditions were hard to live through. The national assembly eventually came to an agreement and established a new constitution. Most of the old system was removed and noble titles became a thing in the past. The Establishment of the Constitution would end up having huge long lasting effects granting equality to the people today. Without the Constitution, it would it would have resulted in a different outcome because the three estates would still be in effect. This along with the declaration of the right of man and citizen were huge long lasting impacts that would change the lives of France for the better. Because of this establishment, the poor could live happier lives.
Following the Execution of King Louis, a lot of change would happen soon after. The Reign of Terror was a period between 1793-1794 that was controlled by the committee of public safety. The leader, Maximilien de Robespierre and the committee passed harsh laws to intimidate and eliminate anyone who shows even a little sign of opposition toward the revolution. A new legislation was passed resulting in food speculators being guillotined and all granaries and bakeries were placed under state control. It is believed that 17000-30000 people where Guillotined under Robespierre’s rule. However there were benefits from this event. Ordinary people began to participate in political life. The government offered free primary education, public assistance, price control, and taxes based on income. Also, a new calendar, times system, and metric system was introduced and slavery was abolished. This event was one of the most if not the most significant events during the revolution because it representing a turning point and it may have resulted in a different outcome. If it was not for this event, there may not have been as much chaos and it would have given people that opposed the revolution to undo what happened. Also, if King Louis did not get executed and became a constitutional monarch, this may not have happened. It also had significant long lasting effects like it spreading the ideals of a revolution to other countries and granting people with free education, to participate in government, and some being able to purchase land. Although the reign of terror was a terrible time in France’s history altogether, it would benefit the lives of the French people and people in other nations forever.
The fall of Bastille, the establishment of a new constitution, and the reign of terror have affected the lives of France in both good was and bad ways. The third estate was impacted the most from receiving equal rights to the nobles and clergy. The French revolution would come down as one of the most important events ever to happen in France and it inspired other countries to do the same.