Abstract This paper examines how the main cause of the French Revolution was political, social and economic discontent among the bourgeois class of French society. It looks at how the failure of the ancien regime to accommodate the aspirations of the majority of the French population and in particular those of the bourgeoisie, the emerging middle class, led to the regime's demise.
From the Paper "The archbishops, bishops and abbots formed the upper echelon of the clergy and were of noble blood. Much of the Church's earnings went towards maintaining the luxurious lifestyles enjoyed by this section of the clergy. In contrast the vast majority of the clergy, the parish priests and those belonging to monastic orders were poorly paid. Most undertook their duties; spiritual and moral guidance, education and poor relief, conscientiously, and as a result were disgusted at the excesses of their superiors, as little money flowed back to meet parish needs. As a result there was dissension within the clergy. Those of high rank strove to safeguard their privileges and wealth while the lower clergy were more receptive to social reform."
This paper is a reconstruction of Nietzsche's moral theory in "On the Genealogy of Morals" and its application to the moral-political philosophies of the Old Regime and the French Revolution.
Abstract This paper is an examination of Nietzsche's "On the Genealogy of Morals" and its relation to the historical context in which it was written. A parallel is drawn between Nietzsche's view of the historical evolution of morality and the development of the moral-political philosophies of the Ancient (Old) Regime and the French Revolution. The Ancient Regime is associated with Nietzsche's idea of "good, bad" morality, while the French Revolution is connected with "good, evil" morality. Some other issues discussed are the idea of the slave revolt and the morality of Napoleon.
From the Paper "Every civilized society is concerned with its moral fabric: the ethical and behavioral norms that all citizens are expected to obey. Morality, on its surface, appears to be a philosophical issue. Some people speak of a universal morality, beyond time and devolving upon all people equally. In this way, they explain the prevalence of certain moral laws, for instance, the prohibition against murder, in almost every society. Others view morality as a subjective concept, yet still one with philosophical origins. They maintain that many societies possess laws against murder because each group of people has made an independent philosophical evaluation, and determined that the value of life is something they as cohabitants of the same state all uphold. For Friedrich Nietzsche, both of these approaches are fundamentally flawed."
Abstract In "Threshold of Terror: The Last Hours of the Monarchy in the French Revolution", Rodney Allen details the events that occurred during the crucial twenty-four hours between the 9th and 10th of August 1792, which led to the fall and execution of King Louis XVI of France. The paper shows that using previously unpublished eyewitness accounts, illustrations, direct quotations and paraphrases, Allen describes the final hours of this crucial collapse and examines its importance in eroding the ideals that had emerged after the fall of the Bastille in 1789. Through the use of intimate sources and documents, such as the personal accounts of the Swiss Guards who had tried to save the ill-fated King Louis XVI and the stories of individuals who had survived the "Reign of Terror", the author gives the reader a greater level of insight into the events and emotions that existed during the Revolution in France. The paper discusses how this provocative book offers a fascinating account of one of the most remarkable and important events in French and European history and, unlike many other books to be written on this subject, the author does not merely recount the political and social details. The paper shows that the difference between this book and many others is that Allen also deals with the human side of the events and describes the effects that this historical event had upon the individuals who were involved.
From the Paper "On several occasions Allen suggests that, even if the radicals among the revolutionaries had agreed to keep the monarchy as a part of the new system, it would merely have been in the role of a "puppet" with "no real control over local and regional authorities and no direct command over forces for maintaining public order" (2). The Terror occurred as a result of the new regime's resolution to destroy counter-revolutionary forces, to intimidate and deter opponents of the republic, and to reassure its supporters. The continued existence of a token monarch, with no influence over social or political control, would have had no power or authority to prevent or lessen the violence or executions that occurred during the Terror. Once again it is the author's personal values and political beliefs, rather than factual evidence, that lead him to his conclusions."
Abstract This paper discusses how Philippe Ari?s? book, "L"Enfant et la Vie Familiale sous L"Ancien R"gime", or "Centuries of Childhood" in translation, which was published over four decades ago, is still regarded by many as the ultimate study in the development of childhood over the centuries. It looks at how although there have been numerous works published over these past forty years that contradict Ari"s? hypothesis and that contain very convincing and diverse data and statistics to back up their claims, the majority of the critics hold fast to the idea that the relationship between parent and child changed from cold and distant in the seventeenth century, to loving and affectionate by the end of the eighteenth. This paper dismisses that thesis and proposes that childhood was certainly a notion that was accepted before eighteenth century sensibilities and it was, in fact, only the idea of how children should be treated that truly changed.
From the Paper "Much of the evidence to support the idea that children were regarded at best indifferently, and at worst disdainfully, is found in the ideals of religion, and specifically in Christianity, of the times. A thirteenth-century hagiographical book entitled Golden Legend was very popular and influential into the seventeenth century, and throughout the tales the emphasis that the saints acted like adults even as small children was very pronounced. There were also popular biographies of actual children like Edward VI and Lady Jane Grey that portrayed them more adult-like than child-like even in their extreme youth, for they were grave, sage, and were masters in many disciplines by an extraordinarily young age."
Abstract This paper examines how the period before the revolution of 1789 in France saw most of the established elites privileges, economic advantages and political power dwindle and how as a result, many began to see the central government as becoming increasingly despotic. It discusses to position of the three estates (clergy, nobility and everyone else) before the revolution and the conflicts that aroused between them during this period. It takes the stance that these groups, in their efforts to maintain their own status or privileges, came unintentionally either into conflict with each other or the King himself and shows how these complex social situations led to the revolution itself in 1789.
From the Paper "As the French government expanded its power in an attempt to strengthen the weakened monarchy, they came into conflict with elites who felt that their position within the political system of France was being eradicated. Elites had played an important role in local administration through their power to publicize political matters, and register new laws, edicts and letters patent, but also because they controlled the appointment of new officiers by owning the administrative offices. The parlements articulated the concerns of French citizens and brought them to the King, which caused a conflict with the monarchy who also competed for the favour of public opinion. Parlements had traditionally been dominated by landed elites, so the government, to protect the rights of communities from exploitation, created the intendants."
