Decade of Revolution by Crane Brinton
1789 – 1799 – summary of how the Revolution affected the lives of ordinary people and to a
lesser extent the lives of others.

Since 1789 France has been governed on the whole as a political democracy – (decisions
determined by the mandate of Frenchmen, by discussion, parliaments, parties, the press,
pressure groups and public opinion )
in contrast to the absolute government of the Bourbons at Versailles (decisions on the
dictates of a small group of royal advisers)

Prior to 1789 – objective for a strong centralized government – consistently thwarted
After 1789 – concentration of power in the central government, a unified system of
justice, a unified financial system

Recognition and acquisition of civil rights – right to trial by jury, right to vote, right to
worship, right to free press, right to free speech

Social status of business changes – honourable profession, acquisition of wealth, innovation
and a career open to talent

Culmination of the long process of making France a land of small independent peasant
proprietors and free tenants.

Universal education and desecularization of education

Universal military service becomes a common feature after the levee en masse of August
1793 – since then wars have more directly affected the ordinary citizen

Effectively destroyed the old French aristocracy – guillotine or emigration. The general
idea that one man is as good as the next man (or woman).

Authority of organized Christianity reduced – France was to be plagued by pro-clerical
and anti-clerical factions for a long time to come.

Revolutionary creed of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity – promise of a better life and
society. Liberty meant doing what the majority of one’s compatriots were doing vs. doing
anything you want to do anytime. Equality – of opportunity and careers open to talent.
Fraternity during the Revolution-> common crusade against wicked governments changed
later to the focal point to French nationalism – the religion of la patrie.

Revolution paved the way for radical groups even to this day. By promising men equality on
earth – by having interpreted equality as an equal share in the wealth of this world, and by
extolling the virtues of rebellion and unrest – the French Revolution provided a springboard
for such movements as Marxism and socialism. “…through socialism the French
Revolution is still at work in the modern world.”
- Crane Binton