The French Revolution, Part 2 of 2

The French Revolution began in 1789 with a rebellion against the monarchy

The French Revolution drastically changed the landscape of politics and human rights when it began in 1789, ignited by a widespread rebellion that targeted the ruling monarchy. Discontent with the long-standing injustices perpetrated by the aristocracy, including King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, sparked the movement that would lead to significant and long-lasting transformations in French society and governance.

During the tumult of the French Revolution, Marie Antoinette, alongside King Louis XVI, lost power and eventually faced execution. Marie Antoinette's trial on October 14, 1793, was a highly publicized event, in which she was accused of a litany of crimes ranging from immorality to treason. Although not all accusations, such as her supposed correspondence with foreign contacts, were conclusively proven, she was nonetheless convicted and sentenced to death by guillotine. Her dramatic appeals during the trial, particularly when accused of abusing her son, were note-worthy, but they did not save her from execution.

Marie Antoinette was humiliated and paraded through Paris before her execution on October 16, 1793. Prepared for death with a loss of her hair and dignity, she maintained composure upon the scaffold. Notably, her death mask was created by Marie Grosholtz, who would later gain fame as Madame Tussaud.

Simultaneously to the monarchy's downfall, the National Convention emerged, issuing a proclamation that abolished the monarchy and established a Republic. The execution of King Louis XVI catalyzed the transition of this governing body into the Committee of Public Safety, dominated by figures including Danton and Robespierre, who oversaw the period known as the Reign of Terror.

The Reign of Terror, from 1793 to 1794, was marked by extreme violence, widespread executions, and the steady drumbeat of the guillotine. Revolutionary tribunals conducted brisk trials of political offenders, leading to thousands of executions. Notable revolutionary leaders such as Danton and Robespierre found themselves targets and ultimately victims of the very terror they had perpetuated.

Robespierre was overthrown and executed after he was turned on by the Revolutionary Tribunal amid accusations of conspiracy and his waning political influence. His attempts to maintain power failed, and Robespierre, alongside his allies, faced the guillotine in a drastic reversal of fortune.

Amidst the chaos, Napoleon Bonaparte took power. Initially an artillery officer, Bonaparte made his mark in history by expelling British forces from Toulon and subsequently carried out a coup in 1799 that established him as First Consul. Napoleon's reign as Emperor saw numerous military achievements until his fortunes turned during the Russian campaign in 1812 and culminated in his defeat at Waterloo in 1815.

The French Revolution's impact reverberated globally, influencing politics and human rights far beyond France's borders. Contributions to the modern understanding of human rights include the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen and the abolition of French colonial slavery in 1794. The revolution inspired future thinkers and leaders, shaping political ideologies that would continue to advocate for human rights well into the 20th century and beyond, as seen in the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations in 1948. The legacy of the French Revolution remains a testament to the idea of universal rights transcending the laws of any individual nation.