Exploring Social Change in America and the World Essay

The French Revolution was based on the will for fundamental changes. Its ideas were very close to the liberal democracy. Economic and social distress were the leading causes of the revolution, as well as unemployment and political factors. The opposition forces led to the French Revolutionary Wars. During the revolution, the First French Republic was proclaimed as well as the old political and social system, Ancien Regime, was abolished.

Structural Theory of Revolution

Value-Added Theory can be easily applied to the given revolution. Smelser, the author, suggests that there are six points necessary for the development of any movement (Harper & Leicht, 2018):

1. Structural conduciveness. Being under the pre-existing Ancien Regime system, the people of France generated a change, which led to the revolutionary campaigns arguing feudalism.
2. Structural strains. Social and economic inequality produced a strain in French society.
3. Growth of a generalized belief system. The valued ideologies of the times of the French Revolution were mainly liberty and equality. Those define both a problem and a solution for the emerged strain.
4. Precipitating events. Anglo-French War sharpened the issues. It caused a failure of the tax system, a financial crisis, and the rapid growth of the country’s population, which France was not ready for.
5. Mobilization of participants. The French Revolution had many leaders throughout the timespan. There were influential journalists, such as Jean-Paul Marat, and leaders that represented the voice of France being actively involved in the events, such as Robespierre.
6. Operation of social control. The ruling noble forces and Louis XVI were responding to the outbreaking revolution.

Outcome

One of the French Revolution outcomes was the creation of a constitutional monarchy that replaced the Ancien Regime. The Convention proclaimed the French First Republic during the revolution. Another outcome was the Reign of Terror, which caused massacres and executions — Louis XVI did fall under the execution. A new highest ranking government was established, being the Consulate, which happened around the time the revolution ended. To sum up, the nation, being constantly under the social, economic, and political disorders, radically re-established its homeland, proclaiming a new government, constitution and rules, and the name of the country.

Reference

Harper, C. L. & Leicht, K. T. (2018). Exploring social change: America and the world. Taylor & Francis Group.