From 1750 to 1914, France experienced an extreme shift politically and culturally with their monarchy, nobility, and Catholic Church; and socially with Enlightenment ideas, but shows consistency through gender roles remaining unchanged. During the time from 1750 to roughly 1914, great political outbreaks such as the French Revolution began the process of giving people a greater voice in politics. This change reconstructed the economies of the world intellectually and created social developments.
During the era from 1750 to 1914, France was one of the most prosperous countries in Europe. It was home to many leading Enlightenment intellectuals such as Montesquieu and Voltaire. France underwent civil unrest with King Louis XVI in power. King Louis XVI had no concern for what was happening beyond his grand court, therefore he was unaware of the revolutionary ideas building up. The philosophers enlightened lower classes to demand equality and liberty. After demanding for their rights, they attacked the French prison Bastille in 1789 when their voices weren’t heard. Instantly the revolution was really in full swing. The National Assembly was now the predominant political power, the assembly seized privileges from First and Second Estates and formulated a restricted constitutional monarchy. The assembly also organized control over church lands. The assembly removed King Louis XVI and formed a new government. Robespierre augmented power through spreading radical policies and inducted a period of executions. France shifted from an absolute monarchy to radical rule. Napoleon was elected to be the leader, following his rule, France returned to an absolute monarchy. Under his rule, many Enlightenment ideals were accomplished. He also balanced the authority separating church and state. Growing nationalism resulted in Napoleon’s departure from power. The Congress of Vienna met to create peace. France transitioned from absolute monarchy to democracy. This transition led to various notable changes such as the end of serfdom and diminished the power of the nobility.
During the era from 1750 to 1914, in spite of the great social turmoil, gender role remained consistent. Throughout France’s developments in government, women executed a small function in expediting ideas by opening their salons to Enlightenment thinkers. They had limited direct power and were still perceived as secondary to men. When Napoleon was removed from power, women saw little variation in their rights and status. Philosophers like Mary Wollstonecraft had small support for her beliefs, but society proceeded as male dominant. Women continued to fight for their rights, including the suffrage. Despite the many political transitions, gender roles hardly improved, exhibiting the continuity of women’s status from Louis XVI’s control to the Congress of Vienna.
On a global scale, the essential path of the French Revolution was similar to the American Revolution. Both were influenced by the Enlightenment thinkers, demanding for freedom and equality. Both inspired other rebellions and revolts and advocated for church control. Women’s rights continued immobile in most regions of the world, including France and America. From the 1750s to 1914, France advanced from an absolute monarchy to a democracy, highlighting the impact of the philosophers. Despite the political transition, women’s rights remained a continuity.
