Could you give specific examples of how/why the following events in the French Revolution were steps toward democracy?
-the reighn of terror
-the rise of napolean
-napoleans conquest
-the contributions of napolean to france and europe
http://www.google.com/search?q=french+revolution+democracy&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
Here are many websites that deal with the French Revolution. See what you can find here, and then re-post with your answers. Someone here may be able to critique your work.
=)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Revolution
When there look carefully at the list on upper right. Most of what you need, however is in the main article.
1) The Reign of Terror: The Reign of Terror was a period during the French Revolution where the Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, executed thousands of individuals suspected of counter-revolutionary activities. While this event was not directly aimed at establishing democracy, it can be seen as a step towards democracy because it sought to uphold the principles of the revolution, including the idea of equality before the law. The Reign of Terror demonstrated the power of the people to hold those in authority accountable for their actions, paving the way for a more democratic system in the future.
2) The Rise of Napoleon: Napoleon Bonaparte was a military and political leader who rose to power amidst the turmoil of the French Revolution. While he eventually declared himself emperor, his rise can be considered a step towards democracy because it brought stability to France after years of political instability. Napoleon implemented several reforms that aimed to strengthen the central government and promote equality, such as the Napoleonic Code, which established a uniform legal system and protected individual rights. These reforms laid the groundwork for a more democratic society, even though Napoleon's rule ultimately ended the French Republic.
3) Napoleon's Conquests: Napoleon's military conquests expanded French control over various parts of Europe. While these conquests were not directly related to establishing democracy, they spread the ideals of the French Revolution, such as equality and nationalism, to other countries. By dismantling feudal systems and introducing new administrative structures in the territories he conquered, Napoleon indirectly influenced the growth of democratic ideas in those regions.
4) Napoleon's Contributions to France and Europe: Napoleon made significant contributions to France and Europe, which had lasting effects on the development of democracy. He modernized the French bureaucracy, established a system of public education, implemented economic reforms, and introduced meritocracy, where individuals could advance based on their abilities rather than their social status. These initiatives laid the foundation for a more equal and merit-based society, contributing to the growth of democracy in France and inspiring similar transformations across Europe.
Overall, while the events of the French Revolution and the rise of Napoleon were not solely focused on establishing democracy, they played a crucial role in pushing society towards more democratic ideals by promoting equality, nationalism, and individual rights. By examining the specific actions taken during these events, we can better understand how they contributed to the overall democratization process.