What Implications Did the French Revolution Have on Culture?

Although it lasted only 10 years, the impact of the French Revolution on Western culture is significant.

The French Revolution began in 1789 and ended when Napoleon took control of France in 1799. Though it lasted only 10 years, the events of the revolution shocked Europe and the world, and its effects continue to shape Western culture.

The State

According to the International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, the French Revolution carried forward the idea that "sovereignty resides in nations; [and] that a constitution and the rule of law govern politics." These fundamental ideas still affect the constitutions and governance of Western nations as of 2011.

Human Rights

The French Revolution also forwarded the idea of universal human rights---the idea that individuals are equal before the law and should be treated accordingly---clearly articulated by the revolution's "Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen" of 1789. The subject of human rights has been a major focus of 20th and 21st century domestic and international law.

Church and State

One of the main principles of the French Revolution was that church and state should be separate. Prior to the revolution, clergy had a major role in governing the state; after the revolution, the two were largely separated, a practice that continues in most Western states as of 2011.

References

• Encyclopedia: French Revolution
• Britannia: Europe In Retrospect: A brief history of the last two hundred years