French Revolution, Assessment Example

Explain your understanding of the dilemmas faced by the following in their pursuit of solutions to the recurring crises that shook France from around 1788 to 1799:

Louis XVI- Being the constitutional king of France during the revolution, Louis XVI had his own problem of retaining the authority he had over the people. The abolition of the constitutional monarchy during the time questioned his position and his right to rule. In relation to this, he was also noted to have developed a sense of indecisiveness, which led to the people viewing him as a symbolism of the tyranny of Rome that was being imposed in the country during the said era. Due to this, his popularity that was once recognized by the society slowly diminished stripping him off from his authority and power over the people.

Robespierre- strongly imposing the equality of rights among people, Robespierre was a center of attention during the revolution. With the desire of promoting impartiality in the French society, he was arrested for his idealisms towards the abolition of slavery and the distinctive removal of death penalty as a form of punishment.

Danton- known as the first President of the Committee of Public Safety, Danton was noted to be the primary reactor to the monarchy, hence was recognized to be one of the strongest driving forces that pushed for the establishment of the new French Republic. Historians however are continuously debating upon his role in the said revolution as there had been some anomalies in some of his actions during the time.

Those who remained faithful to the Catholic Church-remaining in the faith was hard enough to hold on to especially seeing the destabilization of its power over the nation during the time of the revolution. The persecution over these individuals even made the fight harder to contend with hence some others were forced to leave Christianity and have a shift of faith for the sake of securing their lives.

Napoleon Bonaparte (in the time period up to 1799)-Bonaparte became a very prominent personality during the French revolution’s era. It was during this time that he was able to spread the idealisms of the said revolution especially regarding the abolition of monarchy and the retraction of power from the Catholic Church. His strong pursuance of his own role allowed him to be recognized fully by his enemies and thus feared for his capacity to rule and conquer.

Also, do you think Louis XVI “check-mated” himself in some ways?In what ways did Robespierre possibly “check-mate” himself?

The wrong move on Louis XVI’s part was that his popularity was based on his monarchial position, which was later on abolished stripping him off the said power that held him up to the pedestal. Apparently, without the imposition of the said power, Louis XVI was recognized lowly by the people especially because of his being indecisive in several aspects of his administration. On the other hand, Robespierre was rather successful in a way that he contributed in the idealisms of the revolution. His being arrested is more of a victorious mark of his identity and role in the revolt rather than a sign of retreat and failure.

Who do you think are the foremost beneficiaries of the revolutionary upheavals before Napoleon’s rise to power in 1799?Who are the biggest losers?

Napoleon’s rise to power specifically benefited individuals and groups in France that had specific political agendas beyond their considerations of the revolution. On the other hand, the losers of the case were those who used to have freedom. Several small free cities were robbed off from their rights as they were placed under the rule and control of France