To what extent did the French Revolution adhere to the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity?

Not sure if this will answer your question, but these are my thoughts. The french started their little revolution a little while after the american revolution. basically, they saw what we were doing and said "hey! that sounds like a good idea! who needs a king?". Keep in mind that the french hadn't had the best experience in government or in any ruling of their country - it was pretty unstable. America was willing to help in Canada, but the French became extremely blood thirsty so America stepped out of it. They said it wasn't just a Revolution anymore, it was more like revenge (not that they had a particular reason or person pinpointed). for the literal definition of the word "fraternity", yes, it was, quite. However, they people of France sought equality and betterment of their lives only in the beginning. Not so much in the end. As for liberty, yes because the King and Queen at that time didn't really know how to properly rule a country... of course they were just kids, but that's a different matter.

chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/

The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period of major political and social change in the political history of France and Europe as a whole, during which the French governmental structure, previously an absolute monarchy with feudal privileges for the aristocracy and Catholic clergy, underwent radical change to forms based on Enlightenment ideals of democracy, citizenship, and inalienable rights. These changes were accompanied by violent turmoil, including mass executions and repression during the Reign of Terror, and warfare involving every other major European power.

To determine the extent to which the French Revolution adhered to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, it is necessary to examine the key events and policies implemented during that time.

The French Revolution began with the desire for political and social change, inspired by Enlightenment ideals of individual rights and popular sovereignty. The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, adopted in 1789, proclaimed liberty, equality, and fraternity as the guiding principles of the revolution.

Liberty: The French Revolution aimed to abolish the absolute monarchy and establish a constitutional government where individual liberties were respected. The Estates-General, the representative body convened in 1789, led to the creation of the National Assembly and the drafting of a constitution that redefined the role of the monarchy. However, the idea of liberty was compromised during the Reign of Terror (1793-1794) when the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, imposed a totalitarian regime to suppress counter-revolutionary activities. Thousands of people, including political opponents, were executed without due process, which contradicted the principle of liberty.

Equality: The revolution's aim was to challenge the privileges of the nobility and clergy, and create a more egalitarian society. The revolutionary leaders aimed to remove the feudal system, establish equal rights before the law, and create a more merit-based society. Measures such as the abolition of feudalism, equal taxation, and the merit-based promotion in the military demonstrated a commitment to equality. However, some aspects of the revolution did not promote complete equality. For instance, women's rights were not fully recognized, and slavery in French colonies was not immediately abolished.

Fraternity: The concept of fraternity referred to the sense of solidarity and unity among the citizens of a nation. During the French Revolution, this was seen in the collective action of the people who rose up against the monarchy and sought change. The revolution fostered a sense of national identity and a belief in the common good. However, the revolution also witnessed divisions and conflicts, such as between different revolutionary factions and social classes. The Reign of Terror, with its excessive violence and executions, created an atmosphere of fear and mistrust, undermining the concept of fraternity.

In conclusion, while the French Revolution started with a commitment to the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, the extent to which these principles were upheld varied throughout the revolution. While progress was made in certain areas, such as the limiting of aristocratic privileges and the promotion of equality, there were also instances of tyranny and violence that contradicted these ideals. It is important to analyze specific events and policies of the revolution to understand its overall adherence to the principles it espoused.