The industrial revolution was a period during which innovations occurred resulting in numerous changes in the world. The lives of both the rich and the poor were impacted in different ways. The French revolution on the other hand was a significant historical event because of its radical nature.
Both the industrial and French revolutions are related that they were agitations against certain things that people did not want. In both revolutions, some groups of people benefited while other groups lost. In addition, people from the middle classes were the greatest beneficiaries while peasants and the poor were the losers in the revolutions. This paper will focus on the losers and beneficiaries of the two revolutions.
The bourgeoisie were the people who benefited most from the French Revolution. They were the only educated group of people who were responsible for most of the actions during the revolution. The kings were only interested in preserving the old traditions without considering the capabilities of the peasants.
People from the third estate had information about the suffering of the serfs due to the heavy taxes that they were forced to pay. In addition, they knew they had the ability of seizing the power held by the serfs because of their large numbers.
Being in possession of more powers than any other group of people during the revolution, the bourgeoisie took control of France. They promised to end the plight of the suffering poor people by enabling them achieve high status. The other groups of people could not raise their voices against them since they were the majority.
The elimination of taxes seemed a reprieve to the peasants but the bourgeoisie still remained powerful. They were able to form the National Assembly, new constitution and took general control over all the other groups. As a result, they gained a lot of power and eliminated the taxes they were supposed to pay making them the greatest beneficiaries during the French revolution (Sherman and Salisbury 548).
This first group of losers during the French Revolution was individuals who worked in the agriculture sector and other informal sectors. They were paid poor salaries forcing them to move into big cities in search of better lives. Women and children particularly suffered a lot due to changes occasioned by the revolution.
Women were also losers in the sense that they were expected to exhibit subservience to their husbands in all areas including inheritance and marriage contracts. Noble women were denied the chance to make decisions on disputes surrounding their property. They also did not have economic rights since they were seen as unproductive people. Apart from women and children, peasants were also losers during the revolution.
Despite the fact that the economy was improving through industries, they remained neglected. The peasants worked hard but they could not afford their own land since they were under the control of seigneurs. In addition, they were expected to pay heavy taxes to the government. This made peasants losers during the French revolution (Sherman and Salisbury 554).
The middle class which consisted of few members benefited the most during the industrial revolution. Some of the groups that emerged from the middle class included the industrial entrepreneurs and other groups of people who owned factories. These people earned huge profits during the revolution and became very rich.
For example, bankers, shopkeepers and other professionals were able to make huge profits like the ones made by investors in commercial and industrial ventures. However, not all investments resulted in the anticipated profits since some of the loans were not repaid. Despite the few cases of loss that were recorded, the middle class generally benefited a lot from the revolution.
Their increased wealth improved their political influence, prestige and also cultural power. A Scottish philosopher known as James Mill concurred that the most influential people during the French revolution came from the middle class. The middle class was characterized by modesty and decent clothing and with time, they displaced the system of aristocracy which adhered to strict traditions.
The living conditions of the middle class people were also desirable since they lived in lower-floor apartments located in the most prestigious places in the town towns. Moreover, they had the ability to employ servants and had access to electricity (Sherman and Salisbury 560).
Women were considered the greatest losers during the industrial revolution. There were strict marriage rules that constantly reminded women that they were supposed to take part in domestic affairs only. They were meant to understand that their main role was to take care of their husbands and their homes in general.
Women were also losers in the sense that during the industrial revolution, they were denied a chance to take part in politics. They were completely barred from participating in politics since their participation in politics would make them agitators of women rights. In addition, they were not given a chance to do any payable work outside their homes because this was considered inappropriate.
Married women were only given a chance to participate in activities that were domestic oriented. This made women great losers during the industrial revolution (Sherman and Salisbury 571).
Works Cited
Sherman, Dennis and Joyce Salisbury. The West in the World: From 1600. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2001.Print