Bourgeois revolution is a social phenomenon, the purpose of which is the forcible removal of the feudal class from power, the transition to the capitalist system. Once it was a cutting-edge, significant event. Taking place in England, the Netherlands and France in the 17th and 18th centuries, the bourgeois revolution changed the course of world history.
Revolution can and save the remnants of the feudal regime. In this case, it is called bourgeois-democratic. It is to this type that the events that took place in Germany in 1918-1919 belong. The name "bourgeois" revolution is due to the Marxists. But this term is not recognized by all researchers. So, from the concept of "Great French bourgeois revolution" the word "bourgeois" is usually excluded. However, this does not change the meaning. What are its reasons? What are the preconditions for a bourgeois revolution? More on that later.
Causes of the bourgeois revolution
Conflict between certain forces is the prerequisite for any political upheaval. The cause of the bourgeois revolution also lies in the contradiction. This is a conflict between the productive forces, which are gaining momentum, and the feudal foundations, which hinder the development of industry. An important factor in its origin is the clash of the national economy and the dominance of foreign capital. This can also be called the prerequisites for the bourgeois revolution.
Goals and objectives
What determines the historical role of the bourgeois revolution? The problems she solved. The removal of barriers to the development of capitalism is the main goal of the bourgeois revolutions in Europe. Private ownership of the means of production is the basis of the new society. In different countries, the reasons for this phenomenon are different. More details about the bourgeois revolution in France, England and the Netherlands are given below.
In some countries, an urgent solution to the agrarian issue was required. In others, the problem of national independence, liberation from the hateful oppression, is acutely overdue. End Goals:
- elimination of feudalism;
- creating a favorable environment for the prosperity of bourgeois property, the development of capitalism;
- establishment of a bourgeois state;
- democratization of the social order.
This is the main feature of bourgeois revolutions.
Drivers
The main driving force, as you might guess from the historical term, was the bourgeoisie. It was immediately joined by artisans, peasants, workers - representatives of the emerging social stratum.
The bourgeoisie, which led the fight against the feudal lords, could not abolish privateland property. The bourgeois themselves owned land allotments. The most rebellious and active force was, of course, the workers, and from the lowest strata of society. As you know, the most violent revolutionaries are the oppressed and outcast.
In the era of imperialism in the developed capitalist countries, the bourgeoisie has become a counter-revolutionary force. She was afraid of the proletariat threatening her dominance. Having ceased to be the leading force, she tried to turn the revolution onto the path of change. It was hampered by the working class, which had grown ideologically and organized itself into a political party. Now he claims to be the hegemon of the revolution.
In the colonial countries where the national struggle is unfolding, the bourgeoisie is still able to play the role of the vanguard in protecting national interests from foreign capital. But the most significant force remains the workers and peasants. The scale of its development depends on the participation of the broad masses of the people in the revolution. If the bourgeoisie manages to prevent the workers and peasants from solving political problems, to remove them from the struggle for their demands, then the revolution does not achieve its goals, does not solve the tasks set to the end. Examples of such revolutions: Turkey (1908), Portugal (1910).
Forms and Methods
Ways to fight are varied. The liberal bourgeoisie chose the tactics of ideological and parliamentary confrontation between the military and conspiracies (remember the Decembrist uprising that took place in 1825). The peasants preferred revolts against the feudal lords, the seizure of the lands of the nobles and their division. The proletariat is dearerthere were strikes, violent demonstrations and, of course, armed uprisings. The forms and methods of struggle depend not only on the leading role in the revolution, but also on the behavior of the ruling authorities, who respond with violence, unleashing a civil war.
Historical value
The main result of the bourgeois revolution is the transfer of power from the hands of the nobility to the bourgeoisie. But it doesn't always happen that way. The bourgeois-democratic revolution is carried out under the rule of the proletariat. Its result is the dictatorship of the peasants and proletarians. The bourgeois revolution was often followed by a series of reactions, the reconstruction of the overthrown government. However, the capitalist system, which had survived the political upheaval, continued to exist. The social and economic gains of the bourgeois revolution proved viable.
Permanent Revolution Theory
Theorists of Marxism, analyzing the development of bourgeois revolutions in Europe, put forward the idea of an ongoing (permanent) revolution, representing a consistent movement from the struggle against feudalism to anti-capitalist confrontation. This idea was developed into a theory by Lenin, who explained under what conditions a bourgeois revolution would develop into an anti-capitalist one. The main factor of the transition is the hegemony of the proletariat in the bourgeois-democratic revolution. This conclusion was confirmed by the outgrowth of the February Revolution in 1917 in Russia.
The main bourgeois revolutions in Europe took place in the Netherlands, England, France, Holland.
Netherlands － the first of the countriesWestern Europe, which demonstrated that the capitalist system cannot exist along with the obsolete orders of feudalism. The Spanish Inquisition also oppressed the country politically and hindered the development of the economy. Economic and social problems led to massive discontent, which grew into a national liberation revolution in 1581.
England
In the 17th century, all trade routes intersected in England, which could not but affect its economic development. Capitalism has won strong positions in agriculture, industry, and trade. Feudal relations hindered the development of these industries. Besides, all the land belonged to the king.
In the 17th century, two revolutions took place in England. The first was called the Great Revolt. The second is the Glorious Revolution. What are their features? First of all, it is worth mentioning the characteristic feature of all bourgeois revolutions, namely, the action against the feudal monarchy and the nobility. The rebellious mood was fueled by dissatisfaction with the union of the Anglican Church and the new nobility. But the main feature of the revolution is incompleteness. Large landowners retained their inheritances. The agrarian issue was resolved without allocating land to the peasants, which can be called the main indicator of the incompleteness of the bourgeois revolution in the economy.
In anticipation of the events formed two political camps. They represented different religious concepts and social interests. Some advocated the old feudal nobility. Others - for the "cleansing" of the Anglican Church and the creation of a new, notdependent on roy alty.
Capitalism in England acted as an active fighter against absolute royal power. The revolution (1640) abolished feudal ownership of land, new political forces gained access to power. It cleared the way for the development of a new mode of production and production relations. The economic rise of England began, its power on the seas and in the colonies strengthened.
France
The beginning of the bourgeois revolution in France put the conflict between the feudal-absolutist form of government and growing in the depths of feudalism capitalist production relations. The events of 1789-1799 radically changed the country. Yes, and the whole world. More about the French Revolution.
Versailles
Louis XVI was too soft a monarch, perhaps this is one of the reasons for the revolution that took place at the end of the XVIII century. The king did not accept the Decree. The situation in the French capital became more and more tense every day. 1789 was a fruitful year. However, almost no bread was brought to Paris. Crowds of people gathered outside the bakeries every day.
In the meantime, nobles, officers, and holders of the Order of St. Louis flocked to Versailles. They held a feast in honor of the Flanders regiment. Some officers, intoxicated with wine and general merriment, tore off the tricolor cockades and tore them. Meanwhile, in Paris, new unrest arose, caused by fear of another aristocratic conspiracy.
But people's patience is not unlimited. One day, crowds of people who had stood in line at the bakery in vain rushed to the Place Greve. For some reason, the people believed that if the king was in Paris, then the problems with food would be solved. Cries of Bread! To Versailles! they were louder and louder. A few hours later, a raging crowd, consisting mainly of women, headed towards the palace in which the king was staying.
By evening, the king announced his consent to approve the declaration. Nevertheless, the rebels broke into the palace and killed several guards. When Louis XVI, together with his wife and the Dauphine, went out onto the balcony, people shouted "The King to Paris!".
Reconstruction of the country
The revolution in France became the brightest event in Europe at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. But its causes are not only in the conflict between the feudal lords and the bourgeoisie. Louis XVI was the last representative of the so-called old order. Even before his overthrow, reconstruction took place in the country. From now on, the king could rule the country only on the basis of the law. Power now belonged to the National Assembly.
The king had the right to appoint ministers, he could no longer, as before, use the state treasury. The institution of hereditary nobility and all titles associated with it were abolished. From now on, it was forbidden to call oneself a count or a marquis. All these changes have long been awaited by the people, whose situation has become more and more difficult every year. The king, on the other hand, allowed his wife to use the treasury unlimitedly the day before, did not limit her in anything, and at the same time did little public affairs. These are the prerequisitesbourgeois revolution that took place in France.
From now on, there were no royal councils and state secretaries. The system of administrative division has also changed. France was divided into 83 departments. The old judicial institutions were also abolished. In other words, France gradually turned into another country. Revolutionary events unfolded, as you know, for ten years.
One of the most important events of the revolutionary years was the unsuccessful escape of the king. On June 20, 1791, Louis, dressed in the clothes of a servant, tried to leave France. However, he was detained at the border. The king and his family were returned to the capital. The people met him in silent silence. His escape was taken by the Parisians as a declaration of war. Moreover, the king in this war was on the other side of the barricades. From that day on, the radicalization of the revolution began. Its organizers no longer believed anyone, especially the king, who turned out to be a traitor. True, the constitutionalist deputies took Louis under protection and stated that he allegedly fled not of his own free will, but was kidnapped. It didn't fix the situation.
Emotional reaction caused the escape of the French king in Europe. The heads of other states feared that revolutionary sentiments could penetrate their lands. In July 1789, the emigration of the nobles began. By the way, any revolutionary events always entail migration.
Fall of the Monarchy
This event happened seven years before the end of the revolution. In June 1892, a wave of demonstrations swept the country. It was organized in order to put pressure on Louis. The king behavedstrange. He did not adhere to any particular position, often changing points of view. And therein lay his main mistake. In the courtyard, which was filled with demonstrators, Louis drank to the he alth of the nation. However, he immediately refused to approve the decrees.
After the uprising that took place on August 10, the king was deposed and imprisoned. They arrested Marie Antoinette, the Dauphin and other royal children. Louis was accused of a double game and treason. The trial of the king lasted three months. He was declared guilty, called "a usurper alien to the body of the nation". Louis was executed at the end of January. A few months later, Marie Antoinette was on the chopping block. The events in Paris haunted the minds of European revolutionaries for a long time.
At the last stage of the bourgeois revolution in France, archaic feudal remnants were abolished, namely the privileges of feudal lords, peasant duties. And most importantly, freedom of trade was finally proclaimed.
The revolution ensured the victory of capitalism over absolutism. In a number of countries, feudal vestiges of the past have survived to this day. This sets the stage for the emergence of new democratic movements and revolutions.
