Based on the experience of the peasantry, do you think it is accurate to think of the French Revolution as an urban revolution that did little to improve the conditions of people who lived in rural areas?
The experience of the peasantry.
The revolutionary government also implemented a number of policies that were harmful to the peasantry. For example, the government raised taxes to finance the war effort, and it also encouraged the development of large-scale agriculture. This led to the displacement of many peasants and the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy landowners.
In addition, the revolutionary government was often preoccupied with events in Paris and other urban centers. As a result, the needs of the peasantry were often neglected.
As a result of these factors, the conditions of the peasantry did not improve significantly during the French Revolution. In fact, some historians argue that the revolution made the lives of many peasants worse.
Here are some specific examples of how the French Revolution failed to improve the conditions of the peasantry:
- The revolutionary government did not fully implement the August 4th Decrees, which abolished feudalism and serfdom.
- The government raised taxes to finance the war effort, which placed a heavy burden on the peasantry.
- The government encouraged the development of large-scale agriculture, which led to the displacement of many peasants and the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy landowners.
- The revolutionary government was often preoccupied with events in Paris and other urban centers, and the needs of the peasantry were often neglected.
Overall, the French Revolution was a mixed bag for the peasantry. While the August 4th Decrees were a major victory, the revolutionary government did not do enough to implement them fully or to address the other needs of the peasantry. As a result, the conditions of many peasants did not improve significantly during the revolution.
Yes, it is accurate to think of the French Revolution as an urban revolution that did little to improve the conditions of people who lived in rural areas. The peasantry made up the majority of the French population at the time of the revolution, and they were the ones who suffered the most under the old regime. They were burdened with heavy taxes, forced labor, and feudal dues. They also had little access to education and healthcare.
The peasantry played a key role in the early stages of the revolution, but their demands were often ignored by the urban revolutionaries. The August 4th Decrees of 1789, which abolished feudalism and serfdom, were a major victory for the peasantry. However, these decrees were not fully implemented in rural areas, and many peasants continued to suffer under the old regime.