Summary
Summary The effects of the French Revolution on Britain
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- WJEC
The significance the French Revolution had on different parts of British society such as radicle behaviour or aristocracy fear
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The French Revolution and its effects on Britain Americas war in independence in the late 1700s lead to them breaking free from
British control and setting up their own ‘democratic republic’ which was very
inspirational to British radicles.
The French revolution followed in 1879and saw the middle and working classes unite
to overthrow aristocracy in France.
They symbolic start of the revolution began on July 14th, 1789, with the storming of
the bastille.
1790 noble titles were abolished.
1791 new constitution is written which meant that the king no longer made laws and
the legislative assembly was set up.
This was a law-making body elected by all men who paid direct taxes equal to two
days labour.
When the French revolution first began in 1789 even non radicles thought it was a good
thing. They thought it was a sign of France catching up with Britain’s constitutional
monarchy. However, in 1792 the ‘terror’ began which saw the execution by guillotine of
hundreds of nobles and aristocrats which was then escalated further by the execution of
King Louis and his wife Maire Antoinette. Furthermore, the leaders of the revolution began
to attack Christianity which they saw as oppressive and hierarchal. Making even moderate
radicles begin to distance themselves from any ideas of freedom etc that could be seen as
linked to the French revolution. The British aristocracy began to feel terrified of potential
revolutionary ideas spreading in Britain. Overall, in terms of advancing radicalism in Britain
was a double-edged sword, initially it had inspired radicles and led to the rise of radicle
groups and new ones being set up. However, in the long run it held radicalism back as
moderate radicles didn’t want to show their support for these groups in fear of being seen
as revolutionary. Pitts government also came down hard on radicle groups in 1792 (Pitts
reign of terror). Lastly when Britain entered the war with revolutionary France any ideas that
could be considered ‘French’ were seen as unpatriotic causing people distance themselves
from radicalism further.
Evidence of the impact of the French revolution in Britain
Radicle societies grew in popularity and the work of Thomas Pain became very popular
amongst the middle and working classes. He supported the revolution in France and
demanded radicle political reform in Britain. He published ‘the rights of man’ in1791 and
sold 200,00 copies It was very radicle and went beyond universal man hood suffering to
mentioning things like old age pensions and free education. Pitt tried to ban this book and
called it dangerous and seditious.
Name of Groups Aims Membership
The revolutionary society To promote the cause of Radicles mostly middle
freedom class.
The society of the friends of To press for constitutional Mainly middle class Whig
the people reform supporters.
Sheffield constitutional Manhood suffrage Radicles working and middle
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