French Revolution Ultimately a Failure - 1803 Words

Libertà ©, Egalità ©, and Fraternità © were the main principles of the French revolution. However, it was a time where these three ideals would be twisted into nothing more than moral and physical violence. The revolution was ultimately a failure which spun out of control and began to murder itself. The French wanted Freedom from its absolutist ruler, but in turn saw themselves being governed by the devil. These citizens wanted a sense of brotherhood amongst their country, but saw their nation being torn apart by violence. Furthermore, the third estate sought to benefit from a new government that promised equality; however, the result was a further imbalance in an already corrupt society. Ironically, the gruesome reign of terror which was†¦show more content†¦A nation cannot be one when the people do not believe in the ideals of the government. The revolution was merely a civil war which pitted citizens against one another. While many people believed in the revolution, they did not accept the extremist ideas of the Jacobins, and for that thousands of ordinary people were targeted and killed. The September Massacres was a subsequent mass killing of prisoners, after news that the Prussian Army had invaded France. On September 3, 1792, crowds of French citizens stormed into the prisons where they attacked prisoners and refractory clergy, regardless of their status as counter revolutionary. An account of this event by Nicolas-Edme Restif illustrates the torture the citizens inflicted on the prisoners who were their â€Å"brothers†: There had been a pause in the murders. Something was going on inside. . . . I told myself that it was over at last. Finally, I saw a woman appear, as white as a sheet, being helped by a turnkey. They said to her harshly: Shout Vive la nation! No! No! she said. They made her climb up on a pile of corpses. One of the killers grabbed the turnkey and pushed him away. Oh! exclaimed the ill-fated woman, do not harm him! They repeated that she must shout Vive la nation! With disdain, she refused. Then one of the killers grabbed her, tore away her dress, and ripped open her stomach. She fell, and was finished off by theShow MoreRelatedHistory-failure of Italian Revolutionaries1074 Words   |  5 Pagesï » ¿History Essay-Miss guly How far do you agree that the failure of Italian revolutionaries in the years 1820-49 was primarily due to a lack of popular support? (30) There were several factors affecting the failure of the Italian revolutionaries in the years 1820-49. Although the lack of popular support was a contributing factor, it is far less significant when compared to other aspects of the failure such as the intervention and military strength of Austria, the lack of unity between various revolutionaryRead MoreThe Truth About Marie Antoinette1305 Words   |  6 PagesLouis XVI of France. 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