This revolution abolished absolute monarchy and ended the political anarchy and misrule of the French Kings. It paved way for the establishment of a Republican Government in France based on the democratic principles, as propounded by Montesquieu, J.J. Rousseau, and others. The French Revolution ended Feudalism and hereditary aristocracy. It proved that suppressed ones can revolt against the oppressive Government.

It put an end to the special privileges of the Clergy and Nobility and their properties were confiscated. Thus social inequality also ended. The new constitution declared the rights of man, which upheld the ‘Doctrine of popular sovereignty’. This revolution popularized the ideas of Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity in other countries of the world.

It spread the feeling of unity and taught the principle of Nationalism among the French people. Hence, it became a source of inspiration to the Unification of Italy and Germany and finally freedom movements in other parts of the world including India. H.A.L Fisher says “If cold attacks France, the entire Europe sneezes”.

This revolution caused heavy bloodshed. During ‘The Reign of Terror’, nearly 17000 people were killed. Even King Louis XVI, his Queen Marie Antoinette, and others were guillotined. The Directory Government, which came to power after the revolution, failed to rule properly. Again there was chaos and confusion in France.

This gave an opportunity for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte as the military Dictator of France. He called himself as the ‘Child of Revolution’. Thus the French Revolution was indeed a great event in the history of France. The political developments after this revolution greatly changed the course of the History of Europe and also the world.