The French Revolution

The French Revolution, from the beginning to the end of the Terror, sought to radically transform France from a feudal, aristocratic kingdom into a liberal, electoral republic. The extent to which the Revolutionaries wished to change France affected not just the government, but the social order, religion, economy, and even weights and measures!

Based on enlightened ideals of inalienable rights, the purity of nature, and the belief in equality, French revolutionaries sought an overhaul of whole of French civilization. The Catholic Church was openly persecuted, and Christian worship was discouraged. Christianity was considered superstitious and a remnant of the Middle Ages that was holding France back. Education and healthcare, which was long dominated by the Church, was taken over by the State. Noble titles and Aristocratic priviledges were abolished, and all adult men were considered equal under the law. Old boders of Duchies and Counties were erased, and a new map of Départments was created to politically divide the country. Anything making reference to Royalty, or the Church was done away with, even playing cards and the Calendar were changed to reflect Republican, enlightened ideas. (No more Kings, Queens, and Jacks, and the names of months were changed to reflect the seasons rather than deities, and Roman Caesars).

The Terror was the most radical period of reform. When the Revolutionary government was seized by Robespierre and other radical members of the Committe of Public Safety, the new leaders of France sought to completely erase the old order. Using the threat of foreing invasion and monarchist threats to destory the Revolution and the young republic, Robespierre began a series of persecutions and executions across France. Anyone who had been an aristocat, or bore any sympathy towards the old order, was viewed as an enemy of the State, and tens of thousands were executed. Many were executed on trumped-up or false accusations. When the Terror became out of control, the electorate and the Parisien populace revolted against the Committee and those responsible for instigating the Terror, including Robespierre were executed.