history for French

本文是关于法国历史的5个问答题，

Entry 1: discuss the contributions of one enlightenment thinker from the perspective of your estate. State whether you agree or disagree with them.

Entry 2: Explain the causes of the revolution.

Entry 3: Outline some changes in social structures and gender relations (for example, salons, the Napoleonic code, vindication of the rights of women)

Entry 4: Outline some causes and effects of the Napoleonic Wars.Entry 5: Considering France’s situation when the revolution began. Compare it to France’s position when the revolution ended. Do you feel it was worth it. 

Entry 1: discuss the contributions of one enlightenment thinker from the perspective of your estate. State whether you agree or disagree with them.

Among the French enlightenment thinkers, I think Voltaire is the most famous. In the enlightenment event, Voltaire announced that he opposed the feudalism system under which the public was oppressed without freedom. He proposed that open monarch reigning. Meanwhile, he emphasized the capital freedom and equality which made the public support this new regime. What is more, he criticized the corruption and darkness of the Roman Catholic Church which enslaved the public from mind. The essence of this enlightenment is the theoretic preparation for the French Revolution in the 18th century. It enlightened the public to seek their individual rights and interests. The thoughts full of capital freedom and equality were deep in people’s mind which stroked the feudalism system. What is more, it widened the people’s horizon and accelerated the pace of the technology. I agree with these enlightenment thinkers. Because I think their thoughts and ideas represented the social trend which fulfilled the basic requirement of the public. Moreover, the corruption and darkness of the feudalism system forced the public to seek new regime for their individual rights.

Entry 2: Explain the causes of the revolution.
When it comes to the specific causes contributing to the revolution, I think two general aspects can be gained. One is the external cause and one is the internal causes. For the former, the American independence had a positive effect on this revolution. Based on the enlightenment ideas, the capital freedom and equality meets the public demand for their new life. The success of this core thoughts in American independence waked the French people to fight for their rights. What is more, many French soldiers worked for American independence which made them own strong independence minded ideas. For the latter, the corruption and darkness of the “Old Regime” forced the public to object the nobility. In the “Old Regime”, most of the public did not satisfied and complained about the un-equality and social privilege. The nobility controlled the industry and government offices which made the common people have fewer choices to enter these fields. Meanwhile, the financial crisis made the public lose their jobs and had no enough supports for their daily life. Under that condition, starvation in the society was common and higher death rate forced the public to overturn the “Old Regime”.

Entry 3: Outline some changes in social structures and gender relations (for example, salons, the Napoleonic code, vindication of the rights of women)
The French Revolution marked the beginning of remarkable changes in the world history though it only lasted 12 years. The lasting effects on France not matter in the regime or the social structure, was profound.
Firstly, the Declaration of Rights of Man was a vital effect of the French Revolution. The “Old Regime”, feudalism was abolished and more men owned their own rights to handle the social cases. The declaration gave men more rights and freedom just like what the slogan advocated, that was “Libert, Egalit and Fraternit”.
Secondly, the most influential effect was that Republicanism was established in France instead of feudalism. It reduced single individual’s power while more citizens owned the more power. Meanwhile, democratic system were built in the social life.
Thirdly, Nationalism was born in France during the French Revolution. It indicated that France belonged to its citizens rather than a single individual. What is more, the Nopoleonic Code meant the French civil code was established which protected the public’s rights in law though the code had some prejudice for the women. All of these changes were caused by the French Revolution.

Entry 4: Outline some causes and effects of the Napoleonic Wars.
The Napoleonic Wars lasted for 12 years from 1803 to 1815. The wars were the continuation of the French Revolution. When it comes to the causes of the wars, many aspects can be involved. Firstly, Napoleon as the monarch of France, wanted to recover its oversea colony for more interests. He wanted to invade other countries by force. And meanwhile, in order to establish more powerful politics in Europe, he decided to launch wars in order to gain more economic interests in the international trades. On top of this, due to the French Revolution, France got more opportunities to develop its strength no matter in military or economics. On basis of powerful military, the wars were launched which were full of Napoleon’s confidence about the success.
These wars accelerated the revolution of the European army and weapons, especially the military system. Due to the conscription for the public, the scale of the wars was enormous which involved many countries. With the wars, France dominated Europe soon. The positive effect was that the wars stroke the “Old Regime” in other European countries. Napoleon protected the French interests and the achievement due to French Revolution by wars. The negative effect was that these wars were full of invasion and brought much pain to the ignorant people.

Entry 5: Considering France’s situation when the revolution began. Compare it to France’s position when the revolution ended. Do you feel it was worth it.
When the revolution began, France was the center of Europe. Due to the corruption and darkness of “Old Regime” feudalism, France’s strength became weaken. Besides, the financial crisis led to the social starvation which threatened the social stability. And meanwhile the social contradiction was serious. While when the revolution ended, the feudalism system was overturned which was replaced by Republicanism. Moreover, the common people had more chances to take part in the national affairs. And France’s strength in politics and economics became more powerful. This change shocked other European countries’ worries, which made France become their common enemy.
I think it worth doing it. Firstly, I think the revolution was the trend of France and the world. The capital freedom and equality met the public’s demand for their own rights. So the revolution was supported by most of the common people. Moreover, the corruption and darkness of the “Old Regime” forced the public to object the present regime. Meanwhile the people witnessed the powerful politics and economics in France after the revolution. So I think it worth it.