Interpreting The French Revolution Essay - 1759 Words

The year 1789 proved to be a pivotal and historical epoch of political upheavals, radical social movements, and the demolition of the old age monarchy in France. The Tennis Court Oath, storming of the Bastille, passage of the Declaration on the Rights of Man and Citizen, and an unprecedented assault on Versailles as well as the use of the guillotine defined the spirit and historical meaning of the French Revolution. Due to the significance of the tumultuous political and social overhaul that took place, many stances have been taken on interpreting the revolution. The ideas formed regarding the interpretation of the causes and effects of the French Revolution are important in understanding the birth of new political ideologies that†¦show more content†¦Edmund Burke offers the conservative view from his book Reflections of the French Revolution. History is the guideline for conservative politics and political theories produced by rational reasoning and innovative qualities are a source for evil politics (Burke, 1955). Tradition offer stability and ensures that those with more experience rule with power and wisdom (Mannheim, 1936). Burke regarded the revolution as a â€Å"diffusion of knowledge, which has undermined superstition and error...lost the idea of [liberty]...and a king....surrendering himself to his subjects† (Burke, 1955). Revolutions strive to achieve an invisible goal. The beheading of the aristocrats and monarchy exemplifies conservative’s negative view on human nature and brutality of radical change. The complexity of politics cannot be summed up in one universal principle as offered by the Third Estate. Conservatives believe that a strong order of obedience and tradition is the only way to restrain the sinful and irrational man. The idea of equal voting rights presented by the Third Estate is a skewed vision of equality. People are unequal physically, intellectually, and mentally, therefore the landed elite are th e only ones capable of taming the wild and sinful nature of humans through customs, social roles and traditions. The idea that individuals can rule over state is against the natural order of things. The complexities of politics require men who are in the position of power toShow MoreRelatedInterpreting the French Revolution Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens825 Words   |  3 PagesIn the novel A Tale of Two Cities, the author Charles Dickens explains to us, the readers, how he interpreted the French Revolution including his thoughts and concerns for the time period. This period is referring to the 18th century when the uprisings began. In this violence, groups of people were brought together to stir up havoc among the cities. 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