Effects of the revolution and Napoleon:



The twenty-six years between 1789 and 1815 were a short time as history goes. Yet these years brought sweeping changes to the western world. Trends and influences that began then spread far and wide and still continue to influence the course of history.



One very interesting fact about the significance of the French Revolution in World history is that during a visit to China, our late PM Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto asked Chairman Mao about the effects of the revolution on the world. Chairman Mao replied, " Its too early to say something."

This clearly describes the epic character of the Revolution that began in 1789.

FRANCE

In France the ideas of the revolution---liberty,equality, and fraternity--- were so well established that they could not be abolished completely, even with the restoration of the monarchy under the Bourbons.

The idea of popular sovereignty---the belief that the real power of government rests with the people---beacame firmly entrenched in France.

In Germany,Italy, and Spain , feudalism and serfdom were abolished.

The fundamental ideas of the Napoleonic Code were established.

The seeds of equality, religious toleration, and the rights of the people to have a voice in their government were scattered over Europe.

Countries, influenced by French ideas, began to express their own Nationalism.

Governments in Austria, Prussia, and elsewhere tried to undertake reforms, to reorganise, and to make their operations more efficient in order to regain control of their own national affairs.

In Germany and Italy, where Napoleon combined many small states, there grew up a desire for real national unity.

Various national groups in the Austrian Empire ---the Czech, hungarians, Slavs, and italians---craved independence and self-government.

The Slavs of the Balkan states wanted to throw off Ottoman rule.

The French invasion of Russia aroused a strong feeling of patriotism there.The invasion also aroused liberal movement among the young army officers in Russia.


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