Choose A Topic Below And Discuss How Class Played A Role In ✓ Solved

Choose a topic below and discuss how class played a role in the

Choose a topic below and discuss how class played a role in the conflict.

  • Communist Revolution
  • Cuban Revolution
  • Struggle of the Orders: Plebeians vs Patricians – Ancient Rome (500 BCE – 200 BCE)
  • Spartacus Rebellion (73 – 71 BCE)
  • Ciompi Rebellion – Florence, Italy
  • The Peasant’s Revolt – England
  • Jacquerie – France
  • French Revolution
  • English Civil War
  • Hungarian Revolution
  • Any of your choosing with professor approval

Instructions: Answer the following questions in essay format. 2-3 pages. APA format. 12 Font Times New Roman only. All work must be properly cited and unless otherwise noted; do not include pure opinion.

  1. Outline the basic history of the event(s). You can use a timeline or write it out.
  2. Write a brief description of what class(es) are involved in your chosen topic.
  3. What factors besides class contributed to your conflict?
  4. How did the culture's ideals, values, attitudes, and beliefs change or return to tradition during and after the conflict?
  5. How did the people involved in your conflict perceive class? Has that changed or stayed the same in that culture?
  6. In what way did your class struggle influence modern American life and concepts of class?

Paper For Above Instructions

The struggle between different social classes has been a ubiquitous feature throughout human history, leading to conflicts that have created significant changes in societal structures and ideologies. This essay will focus on the French Revolution, an event which exemplifies how class distinctions played a critical role in shaping social and political dynamics. Examining the backgrounds and roles of the different classes involved, the broader context of factors contributing to the revolution, and the long-term impacts of these class struggles provides insight into the complexities of societal interactions and modern class concepts.

Historical Outline of the French Revolution

The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of radical social and political change in France that fundamentally altered the course of French history. The revolution began amidst widespread discontent with the monarchy's extravagant reign, economic troubles due to debts from involvement in wars and the ineffective taxation system burdening the poor and middle classes. Key events occurred in this period, which can be briefly outlined as follows:

  • 1789: The Estates-General convened, representing the Clergy (First Estate), Nobility (Second Estate), and Commoners (Third Estate). Disputes over voting led the Third Estate to break away and form the National Assembly.
  • July 14, 1789: The storming of the Bastille was a symbol of the revolution against tyranny and marked a significant turning point.
  • 1791: The National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, proclaiming the equality of all men.
  • 1793: King Louis XVI was executed, leading to the Reign of Terror, wherein thousands, including King and Queen, were guillotined.
  • 1799: The revolution concluded with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, marking the end of the revolutionary government and the establishment of a consulate.

Classes Involved in the French Revolution

The revolution was primarily characterized by the conflict between the three estates. The Third Estate, representing the common people, including peasants, artisans, and the bourgeoisie (middle class), was the driving force behind revolutionary change. The First and Second Estates, consisting of the clergy and the nobility, resisted efforts to diminish their privileges. The Third Estate's struggle highlighted inequities in taxation and representation.

Furthermore, class distinctions affected economic constraints faced by the Third Estate, which was largely impoverished and overtaxed while the upper classes enjoyed privileges. This class conflict fueled revolutionary sentiment and underscored the necessity for social change.

Factors Contributing to the French Revolution

While class struggle was pivotal, other factors contributed to the French Revolution. Economic hardship stemming from food shortages, inflation, and government debt severely impacted the populace's morale. Enlightenment ideals—emphasizing liberty, equality, and fraternity—fostered a climate of intellectual awakening, shifting many toward revolutionary thoughts. The influence of successful revolutions abroad, particularly the American Revolution, also inspired the French populace to demand rights and change in governance.

Cultural Changes During and After the French Revolution

The societal shifts during the French Revolution were profound, with changing values redefining the social landscape. The revolutionary cry for 'liberté, égalité, fraternité' resonated deeply, altering perceptions of class. Traditional hierarchies were dismantled, and new ideas about citizenship and civic responsibility emerged. The shift was not merely political; it transformed cultural expressions in art, literature, and education and challenged established beliefs.

The aftermath saw the return of certain traditional values but within a new framework where social mobility became more attainable. The evolution of ideals regarding class and society shaped modern French identity and legacies of subsequent social movements.

Perceptions of Class During the French Revolution

The perception of class during the French Revolution evolved significantly. Initially viewed in fixed hierarchies, concepts of class transformed as the Third Estate challenged the status quo. Class identities became intertwined with notions of rights, obligations, and national identity. Over time, while the revolution initially sought to eradicate class structures, subsequent governance patterns re-established new forms of class distinctions, especially during the Napoleonic era.

Influence on Modern American Life and Class Concepts

The French Revolution's social upheaval had lasting impacts on modern American class perceptions and struggles. The principles of equality and rights propagated by the revolution influenced the American democracy and reinforced the idea of class struggle in the quest for civil liberties. Class considerations became more prominent in American socio-economic discussions, manifesting in labor movements, civil rights, and expanding definitions of class beyond mere economic standing to include race and gender.

In conclusion, the French Revolution serves as a significant historical example of how class dynamics precipitate deep societal change. By understanding the background, roles of various classes, contributing factors beyond social stratification, and the cultural transitions sparked during and after the revolution, we can discern the evolution of modern perceptions of class, illustrating a continuous influence on contemporary society.

References

  • Andress, D. (2006). The French Revolution: A History in Documents. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Blanning, T. C. (1996). The French Revolution in the Historical Imagination. The Historical Journal, 39(3), 847-870.
  • Breunig, C. (2012). The enduring significance of French Revolutionary Ideas. Revolution: Global Studies in the Humanities, 4(1), 19-27.
  • Doyle, W. (2001). The Oxford History of the French Revolution. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
  • Hobsbawm, E. J. (2011). Age of Revolution: 1789–1848. New York: Random House.
  • McPhee, P. (2002). Liberty or Death: The American Revolution and the French Revolution. The Historical Journal, 45(1), 135-153.
  • Rude, G. (1964). The Crowd in the French Revolution. New York: Oxford University Press.
  • Schama, S. (1989). Citizens: A Chronicle of the French Revolution. New York: Knopf.
  • Shuchman, R. (2015). Class Struggle in the French Revolution. Global Journal of Human-Social Science: F Political Science, 15(3), 1-6.
  • Tackett, T. (2015). The Coming of the French Revolution. University Park: Pennsylvania State University Press.

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