Introduction
In the history of countries around the world, some periods have become critical and have defined the country’s further development for many decades to come. The turning point in French history was the French Revolution, which began in 1789 (Kropotkin 2021). It is important to stress that its consequences have spread throughout Europe and affected Europeans’ way of life. Despite the locality of the French Revolution, many countries were involved in these events, leading not only to civil war in France but to international conflict.
Causes for the Civil War
One of the reasons for the civil war in France is the peculiarities of the political system and its participants. Difficult and unpopular decisions, such as the declaration of war in 1791, are accompanied by attempts by the opposition to recruit as many citizens as possible (Esdaile 2018). After that, there is a direct escalation of the situation to turn people against the acting authority and emphasize its decisions’ potential absurdity. In this context, a division of the French population is emerging, justified by different views on the country’s future. Political forces such as Democrats, Libertarians, Radicals, and Revolutionaries pursued personal goals (Esdaile 2018). Hence, these circumstances play an important role as one of the reasons for starting the civil war.
The second factor that led to the Civil War in France was the development of the revolution and the loss of control over it. It is important to emphasize that the revolution lasted for years and left a particular mark on the mood of society. As the process progressed, so did the level of aggression, brutality, and plunder in the country. This factor led to a period called the Reign of Terror. This time was from 1793 to 1794 and was accompanied by a significant level of terror throughout the country (Kropotkin 2021). It is important to stress that this period was the height of radicalism of the French Revolution and changed France’s future forever. Consequently, factors such as turmoil, uncertainty, and increased violence epitomized the Reign of Terror and led to the French Civil War.
Causes for the International War
As a reason why the French Revolution contributed to the emergence of the International war, it will be essential to highlight two factors. First, it must be understood that at that time, Europe’s political and economic situation was already global. In other words, countries were heavily dependent on each other. Consequently, events of this magnitude, such as the French Revolution in 1789, were the occasion for specific actions by other European countries (Esdaile 2018). First, the reason for the international war was the desire of some countries to benefit indirectly from the situation. For example, Russia gained some benefits, taking advantage of the turmoil in Europe and acquiring specific territories in Eastern Europe (Kropotkin 2021). Consequently, the French Revolution allowed some countries to realize their intentions, including through military means.
The second reason for the international war is European countries’ concern about the possible spread of revolutionary sentiment among their populations. It became a major risk for the ruling elites and required serious measures to prevent such sentiments (Kropotkin 2021). As a result, due to the obvious consequences of the French Revolution, many European countries such as Spain, Great Britain, Prussia, and Austria declared war on France (Kropotkin 2021). Notably, many European rulers have embraced the values of the French Revolution, such as liberty and justice, as disease and a significant danger to themselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is vital to the state that the French Revolution had a significant influence on France and other European countries. The events of 1789 to 1794, including the civil war in France and various international conflicts, forever shaped the development of the European continent. Nevertheless, it is important to stress that for France itself, the events of the French Revolution have also become a tragic chapter in history, as they are characterized by many victims and a period of terror.
References
Esdaile, Charles. 2018. The Wars of the French Revolution: 1792–1801. Routledge.
Kropotkin, Peter. 2021. French Revolution. Black Rose Books Ltd.