After the storming of Bastilles,
Peasants went on rampage attacking the castles/residences and property
of the clergy and Nobles. Consequently by August the remaining nobles
who had not given up their privileges had seen the sense in sacrificing
their privilege to save their lives. On 4th August when the national
assembly was in a night session, it abolished feudalism and all its
forms throughout France. The nobles and clergy denounced their
privileges and the ancient system of taxation was scrapped off. Thus,
the long-term grievances, which had made the revolution inevitable, were
removed. This was a total destruction of the foundation of the ancient
regime and a relief to the peasants.
The event is
memorable because it guaranteed equality of all the men before the law
and other forms of taxation, thus burying social class discrimination in
France.
The way feudalism was destroyed makes it
significant. It was very peaceful where the nobles and clergy just
denounced their privileges hence compromising with the third estate in
the spirit of brotherhood.
It guaranteed admission
and promotion in to public offices on merit than birth. This gave way to
competent and talented men of ability to rise to power irrespective of
birth right.
This event became a social revolution
that laid a firm foundation of fraternity between the three classes
compared to their position prior to 1789. This strengthened the spirit
of patriotism and nationalism in
France.
However,
the event forced most nobles and clergy to flee to exile from where
they regrouped in Austria and started planning a counter-revolution.
This took France to war with foreign powers and contributed to the reign
of terror in the course of the revolution.
In
short the destruction of feudalism was a landmark that modernized France
in Europe compared to Austria, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Poland. It
was a stepping-stone for the declaration of the rights of man and
citizens.
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