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Top 121+ French Revolution Research Topics – Full Guide!

The French Revolution was a significant event in history that ended the monarchy in France and formed a republic. This period from 1789 to 1799 was characterized by violence, civil war, and King Louis XVI’s execution, as well as Marie Antoinette’s. 

The French Revolution had a long-term impact on world history, with different nations experiencing revolutions and establishing governments in their likeness. While studying this interesting era for writing, it is often difficult to pick out an area of research due to its vastness. 

In this blog post, we will provide you with more than 121 peculiar and captivating topics related to the French Revolution that might help you choose what to write about in your paper or essay.

 The focus can be on major events such as the Reign of Terror or Robespierre, daily life during the revolution, notable women, causes or effects within France and beyond, among others, thus making your paper unique and engaging for readers interested in history. 

These topics can be used as a starting point when exploring this complicated age of French history intertwined with global affairs.

Recommended Readings: “ Top 11 Climate Change Research Topics For High School Students “.

Let’s Understand The French Revolution!

Table of Contents

The French and European history had a decade that was very important in their history, called the French Revolution, which took place from 1789 to 1799. The main events and personalities related to this are:

  • In 1789, the storming of Bastille symbolized the end of a traditional form of governance known as French absolutism.
  • National Assembly was established, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man was proclaimed, which formed the basis for liberty, equality, and fraternity.
  • By guillotine, Louis XVI died on the night he tried to escape 1793 his wife, Marie Antoinette when she was later executed that year.
  • Maximilien Robespierre, along with Jacobins, took over power, starting a reign of terror from 1793 to 1794, where thousands were killed.
  • Finally, the Thermidorian Reaction happened, thus ending that phase of the revolution. Napoléon Bonaparte emerged from it and seized control in France.

Top 121+ French Revolution Research Paper Topics

Here is the list of the top 121+ French Revolution research papers provided according to different categories and subtopics. 

Political Themes

  • Why did the French Revolution happen? (Social, Economic, and Political Reasons)
  • How did Enlightenment ideas influence the French Revolution?
  • Who were the main political groups during the French Revolution?
  • What was the Reign of Terror, and how did it affect the Revolution?
  • What roles did women play in the French Revolution?
  • What was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen?
  • What happened to the king and queen during the French Revolution?
  • How did other countries get involved in the French Revolution?
  • What led to the end of the Reign of Terror?
  • What was the Directory, and how did it govern France after the Revolution?

Social Themes

  • How did social classes clash during the French Revolution?
  • How did the French Revolution change the roles of men and women?
  • How did religion impact the French Revolution?
  • What were the protests like in cities during the French Revolution?
  • What were some special events and symbols during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change the rules about land ownership?
  • How did the French Revolution impact slavery and colonialism?
  • What caused food shortages and riots during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution use media to spread its ideas?
  • How did the Revolution inspire nationalism and liberalism?

Cultural Themes

  • How did art and literature reflect the French Revolution?
  • What were some celebrations and ceremonies during the Revolution?
  • What songs were popular during the French Revolution?
  • How did symbols and pictures help the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution influence art and culture in Europe?
  • How did people show support for the Revolution in their daily lives?
  • How is the French Revolution portrayed in movies and books?
  • What clothes did people wear during the Revolution?
  • How were women represented in art and culture during the Revolution?

International Impact

  • How did the French Revolution affect other countries?
  • What wars were fought because of the French Revolution?
  • How did Napoleon rise to power?
  • How did the French Revolution affect kings and queens in Europe?
  • How did the Revolution inspire independence movements in Latin America?
  • How did the United States feel about the French Revolution?
  • How did the French Revolution inspire other revolutions around the world?
  • How did the Revolution change the way countries worked together?
  • How did the Revolution change the power balance in Europe?
  • How did the Revolution affect European colonies?

Intellectual and Philosophical Impact

  • How did Enlightenment thinkers influence the French Revolution?
  • What role did intellectuals play in the French Revolution?
  • What were some big ideas people had during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution influence future revolutions?
  • How did schools and books spread revolutionary ideas?
  • How did the Revolution inspire new ideas about politics?
  • Why did some people think violence was okay during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change how people thought about human rights?
  • How did the Revolution make people proud of their country?
  • How did newspapers and magazines talk about the Revolution?

Economic Themes

  • Why did France have money problems before the Revolution?
  • How did debt from wars affect France’s money?
  • Why were people upset about money before the Revolution?
  • What happened to rich people’s stuff during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change who owned land?
  • What rules did the Revolution make about money?
  • How did businesses help pay for the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change how people bought and sold things?
  • How did the Revolution try to control money?
  • How did farmers deal with the Revolution?

Legal and Constitutional Themes

  • How did the Revolution change the rules about how France was run?
  • What were the three main parts of the government during the Revolution?
  • What new rules did the Revolution make about laws?
  • How did one group control the courts during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change how the law treated people?
  • What did it mean to be a citizen during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution control what people said?
  • How did the Revolution change the rules about getting married and having a family?
  • How do the Revolution’s rules still affect France today?
  • How did the Revolution change how local leaders worked?

Military and War

  • How did France get soldiers during the Revolution?
  • What new ideas did France use in wars because of the Revolution?
  • Why did other countries fight in France’s Revolution?
  • What were some big battles during France’s Revolution?
  • How did fighting make people feel during the Revolution?
  • What did the main army leaders do during the Revolution?
  • How did fighting affect regular people?
  • How did Napoleon change how wars were fought?
  • How did the Revolution change who had power in Europe?
  • How did stories about fighting help the Revolution?

Religious Themes

  • How did the Revolution change how the church and government worked together?
  • What was the church like before the Revolution?
  • Why did people not like the church during the Revolution?
  • What new ideas about religion did people have during the Revolution?
  • What did the Revolution do with church stuff?
  • How did people who weren’t Christian feel during the Revolution?
  • What did priests do during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change how people prayed and worshiped?
  • How did the Revolution change how people thought about religion?

Environmental and Technological Impact

  • How did the Revolution change how cities looked?
  • How did the Revolution change how people traveled and talked to each other?
  • How did the Revolution change how people farmed?
  • How did the Revolution hurt the environment?
  • What new ideas about machines and science did the Revolution bring?
  • How did the Revolution change how people made things?
  • How did the Revolution spread its ideas using newspapers and books?
  • How did the Revolution change how people took care of themselves?

Psychological and Sociological Themes

  • Why did people hurt each other during the Revolution?
  • How did memories of the Revolution make people feel later?
  • What were parties and parades like during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution use stories to change what people thought?
  • How did the Revolution change how families worked?
  • Why did some leaders act meanly during the Revolution?
  • Why did people get so scared during the Reign of Terror?
  • How did news make people believe in the Revolution?
  • How did groups and clubs help the Revolution?

Gender and Sexuality

  • How did women help during the Revolution?
  • What did people think about men and women during the Revolution?
  • How did people who liked the same sex feel during the Revolution?
  • What did people think about love and marriage during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change how people showed off?
  • How did women join in with the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change what men and women were supposed to do?

Regional and Local Studies

  • How did the Revolution change how people saw themselves in different places in France?
  • What happened in France’s colonies during the Revolution?
  • What did people in different French cities do during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change what country life was like?
  • What did people in other countries do during the Revolution?
  • What did people in Corsica do during the Revolution?
  • What did people in America and Canada do during the Revolution?
  • How did places that used to be owned by France remember the Revolution?

Comparative and Transnational Studies

  • How is the French Revolution like other big changes in history?
  • How did other countries copy the French Revolution?
  • How did the French Revolution change how people in other countries thought about their revolutions?
  • How did people in other countries think about the French Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution make people in France feel proud of their country?
  • How did different ideas about politics fight during the Revolution?
  • How did people in different countries help each other during the Revolution?
  • How did the Revolution change what kings and queens did in other countries?
  • How did people in other countries feel about the Revolution’s violence?

French history is full of big events and history-making moments, which provides the student with a big sample space for their research topic selection. 

Impact of the French Revolution

The French Revolution of 1789 had wide impacts on French society and Europe as a whole. Socially, it overturned the strict feudal system of the Old Regime, removing noble privileges and feudal duties. 

The revolution declared all male citizens equal before the law, though its failure to give rights to women and slaves showed its limits. Politically, the French Revolution ended absolute monarchy , establishing a constitutional order and representative government based on ideas of popular power and civic participation. 

It paved the way for modern democracy. Economically, the revolution abolished feudalism, freeing peasants from serfdom and redistributing land. It removed internal tariff walls, encouraging commerce and industry. However, its uncontrolled violence and wars disrupted the economy. 

The French Revolution’s core ideals of liberty, equality, and brotherhood influenced movements for reform and revolution throughout Europe in the 19th century. Its legacy continues to shape French politics today.

Tips for Researching French Revolution Topics

Studying the complex causes and profound impacts of the French Revolution requires diving deep into academic sources. 

But with its social turmoil, complex events, and far-reaching legacy, where do you start to research this pivotal moment in European history? Follow these tips to find, analyze, and combine the right sources for your project on the French Revolution.

  • Use primary sources like documents, diaries, and first-hand accounts to understand the views of people who lived through the revolution
  • Consult academic secondary sources like scholarly books and journal articles for analysis and interpretation
  • Look for sources that cover social, political, economic, and cultural aspects of the revolution to understand its many impacts
  • Compare and contrast portrayals and arguments in sources to identify biases and get a balanced view
  • Pay attention to sources’ origins and context – who wrote them, when, and why – to judge their reliability and importance properly
  • Use search tools, bibliographies, citations, and archives to find more relevant sources to build a comprehensive research base

With focused research strategies, a discerning eye, and time spent analyzing sources in context, you can build a solid base of knowledge on the French Revolution. 

Tracing the revolution’s origins, charting its radical ups and downs, and assessing its wide-ranging repercussions will lead to new insights. 

So take the time to uncover varied quality sources, and you’ll be rewarded with a multifaceted understanding of this fascinating period in history.

Closing Up 

With over 121 potential research topics outlined, this guide provides a springboard to dive deep into the intricate causes, radical events, and profound legacy of the French Revolution. From examining its Enlightenment origins to decoding propaganda and tracing violent phases like the Reign of Terror, the possibilities for original research are endless. 

By focusing your study through political, social, cultural, economic, or individual lenses, you can gain new perspectives on this transformative era. Choose a specific revolution-related theme or character to analyze through academic sources for a manageable project. 

Let the revolution come to life by drawing connections between the tumultuous past and issues that still resonate today. With so many avenues to explore, you are sure to find a fascinating French Revolution research topic that will lead to new historical insights and an enriched understanding of this revolutionary moment that shaped Europe and the modern world.

What was the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution?

The Reign of Terror was a period of mass executions and political repression during the French Revolution, led by the radical Jacobin regime.

How did the French Revolution influence other revolutions?

The French Revolution inspired movements for social and political change across Europe and beyond, shaping the course of modern history.

What were the long-term effects of the French Revolution?

The French Revolution had far-reaching consequences, including the spread of democratic ideals, the rise of nationalism, and the dismantling of feudal privileges.

How did the French Revolution impact art and culture?

The French Revolution sparked artistic and cultural movements that reflected its ideals and upheavals, from neoclassical art to revolutionary literature.

What role did Napoleon Bonaparte play in the aftermath of the French Revolution?

Napoleon Bonaparte emerged as a key figure in post-revolutionary France, consolidating power as Emperor and implementing significant reforms while also perpetuating authoritarian rule.

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104 French Revolution Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on french revolution, ✍️ french revolution essay topics for college, 👍 good french revolution research topics & essay examples, 🌶️ hot french revolution ideas to write about, ❓ french revolution research questions.

  • French Revolution and Dickens’ “A Tale of Two Cities”
  • Effects of the French Revolution
  • The French Revolution: Impact on the Church
  • Napoleon Bonaparte’s Biography and Role in the French Revolution
  • Napoleon’s Domestic Reforms Post-French Revolution
  • Monuments of the French Revolution
  • French Revolution as a Turning Point to Democracy
  • Social Contract in the French Revolution The French Revolution became a means of mediating the conflict between the government and the sovereign via a broader skirmish that resulted in fundamental social transformations.
  • The History and Overview of French Revolution The discussion will culminate in the evaluation of the reign and rule of Napoleon when he was the emperor of France.
  • The French Revolution and Structural Theory Applied The French revolution is perhaps the most perplexing event in the history of modern Europe. The revolution commenced in 1789 and ended towards the latter stages of the 1790s.
  • French Revolution and Latin American Independence This paper looks into how the French revolution encouraged Latin America to fight for their independence. To get background information, it will discuss French and Latin American Independently.
  • Analysis of the French Revolution The critical event in French history was the revolution of the 18th century because a combination of reasons made people infuriated with the situation in the country.
  • Nationalism in the French Revolution of 1789 The French Revolution led to the French Republic, guided by new Enlightenment and democratic ideals, the political philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
  • The Causes of the French Revolution French Revolution was a movement that took place between 1787 and 1799. This historical event set in motion many other European revolutions and government transformations.
  • French Revolution: The Birth of Freedom and Equality The French Revolution is reasonably deemed one of the most significant events not only in the history of France but also in the whole world.
  • French Revolution and Consequences of Radical Reform The French revolution took place to change the monarchy and take control of the government due to poor economic and political policies that existed.
  • French Revolution’s Effects on European Peasantry The French Revolution was actually a strong reaction to the exploitation and despotism inflicted upon the poor classes by the despot kings, cruel nobility and hypocritical clergy.
  • Liberty and the French Revolution Reflections The essay examines how the French Revolution was an event, signifying an overhaul of the public’s opinion, considering the quest for liberty espoused by the revolutionaries.
  • The Major Rights and Reforms Wanted During the French Revolution The revolution activists aimed to redefine the nature of political authority, address social reform, and fight the economic unrest and the wide disparity between the classes.
  • October Days During the French Revolution The evidence of the Versailles march of women of October 5 and October 6 clearly showed that the move was driven by revolutionary ideas.
  • French Revolution: Memories, Symbols, and Rituals Historians examine the rituals and symbols of the French Revolution so that the excesses of the revolution will never again be visited upon the world.
  • Tocqueville and the French Revolution Tocqueville gives his views on the French revolution and its effects social conditions on individuals and countries in the west.
  • Effects of French Revolution on European Peasantry French revolution (1789) is one of the greatest events not only in the history of France and Europe, but also in the history of the world at large.
  • The French Revolution and the Rights of Men The research paper will emphasize on the pre and post revolution with regard to technology and the effects on man’s way of life.
  • The French Revolution and Its Impact on the Haitian Revolution
  • Arab Spring and the French Revolution
  • The French Revolution: The Departure of Women From Conformity and the Fight for Their Civil Rights
  • Civil Disobedience and the French Revolution
  • Defining “Modern History”: The Impact of the French Revolution
  • Changing the Face of Europe: The French Revolution
  • Comparison Between Enlightened Despotism With the French Revolution
  • Complaints and Aspiration of the Various Social Classes in France on the Eve of the French Revolution
  • Econimics From Middle Ages to French Revolution
  • Federalists and Jeffersonian Republicans on French Revolution
  • Documents’ Historical Importance and French Revolution
  • French Revolution Ideas Nationalism Society
  • France’s Geographic Location, Climate, Neighbors, Culture During French Revolution
  • Civil Constitution of the Clergy and French Revolution
  • Art During the French Revolution
  • French Colonial Governance and the French Revolution
  • Georges Jacques Danton’s Significance in the French Revolution’s Committee of Public Safety
  • French Revolution and Privileged Social Classes
  • A New Phase of the French Revolution After the Storming of the Bastille
  • French Revolution: The Solution to Class Inequality
  • Important Peace Conferences Since the French Revolution
  • Economic Causes of the French Revolution
  • Jewish People and the Impacts of Napoleon Bonaparte and the French Revolution
  • Limited Monarchy and Its Influence on the French Revolution
  • Maxilmilien Robespierre and His Influence on the Reign of Terror During the French Revolution
  • The Declaration of the Rights of Man: French Revolution
  • Noble Goals and Authoritarian Means of the French Revolution
  • The Origins of Political Order: From Prehuman Times to the French Revolution
  • Peasant Desperation and the French Revolution
  • Relation Between the Indonesian and French Revolution
  • Significant Impact of the French Revolution on British Political Culture and Institutions
  • Nietzsche, Morality, and the French Revolution
  • The Consequences of Radical Reform: The French Revolution
  • Romantic Art, Literature, Music: French Revolution
  • Slavery During the Enlightenment and French Revolution
  • French Revolution: Government Instability, Large Numbers of Deaths, and Essentially a Return to the Status Quo
  • The French Revolution in Global Perspective
  • The Bourgeoisie Motives for Starting the French Revolution
  • Women in the French Revolution: From the Salons to the Streets
  • The Culture and Tradition of the French Revolution
  • One of Bloodiest Revolutions in History: The French Revolution
  • The Social Interpretation of the French Revolution
  • Macroeconomic Features of the French Revolution
  • The Difference Between the Views of Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson on the French Revolution
  • Making Democracy in the French Revolution
  • The French Revolution and End the Reign of the Estates
  • The Defining Events and Characteristics of the French Revolution
  • Feminism in the French Revolution
  • Military Theorists That Have Emerged From the French Revolution
  • The Newspaper Press in the French Revolution
  • How Did the Italian Renaissance Influence the French Revolution?
  • Why Did the Revolutionaries Want to Abolish the Monarchy in the French Revolution?
  • Were Hoarders Killed in the French Revolution?
  • How Was the French Revolution Distinct From Other Atlantic Revolutions?
  • Was the French Revolution Successful?
  • What Impact Did the French Revolution Have on the Lower Class?
  • Why Were Priests Killed During the French Revolution?
  • How Was Total War Used in the French Revolution?
  • Who Did Napoleon Bonaparte Defend France From During the French Revolution?
  • What Did Lord Acton Believe Caused the French Revolution?
  • How Did the French Revolution Affect the European Enlightenment?
  • What Was the Slogan of the French Revolution?
  • How Was the Autocratic Rule of the French Monarchy Responsible for the French Revolution?
  • How Did the French Revolution Relate to the Thinking of Karl Marx?
  • Was the French Revolution Focused More on Executions or Battles?
  • How Many Wars Did the French Revolution Cause?
  • How Did the French Revolution Affect the American Economy?
  • What Does the Winged Woman in French Revolution Symbolize?
  • Where Did the French Revolution Take Place?
  • How Did the Estates General Provoke the French Revolution?
  • What Was the Coup D’Etat in the French Revolution?
  • How Many Royals Killed in the French Revolution?
  • How Did the Declaration of Independence Influence the French Revolution?
  • Did Scotland Fight in the French Revolution?
  • How Has the French Revolution Influenced the Modern World?
  • What Did the National Assembly Do During the French Revolution?
  • What Was an Economic Cause of the French Revolution?
  • Could the French Revolution Have Been Prevented?
  • Prior to the French Revolution, What Social Groups Were Exempt From Paying Taxes?
  • What Changes Occurred in France Because of the French Revolution?

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StudyCorgi. (2023, March 20). 104 French Revolution Essay Topics. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/french-revolution-essay-topics/

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StudyCorgi . "104 French Revolution Essay Topics." March 20, 2023. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/french-revolution-essay-topics/.

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These essay examples and topics on French Revolution were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on December 28, 2023 .

The Consequences of Radical Reform: The French Revolution

The French Revolution of 1789 had a momentous impact on neighboring countries. The French Revolutionary armies during the 1790s and later under Napoleon invaded and controlled large parts of Europe. Together with invasion came various radical institutional changes. French invasion removed the legal and economic barriers that had protected the nobility, clergy, guilds, and urban oligarchies and established the principle of equality before the law. The evidence suggests that areas that were occupied by the French and that underwent radical institutional reform experienced more rapid urbanization and economic growth, especially after 1850. There is no evidence of a negative effect of French invasion. Our interpretation is that the Revolution destroyed (the institutional underpinnings of) the power of oligarchies and elites opposed to economic change; combined with the arrival of new economic and industrial opportunities in the second half of the 19th century, this helped pave the way for future economic growth. The evidence does not provide any support for several other views, most notably, that evolved institutions are inherently superior to those 'designed'; that institutions must be 'appropriate' and cannot be 'transplanted'; and that the civil code and other French institutions have adverse economic effects.

We thank Jared Diamond, Robert Dixon, Niall Ferguson, Tim Guinnane, Peter Hall, Philip Hoffman, Joel Mokyr, Sheilagh Ogilvie, Winifred Rothemberg, Jesus Villaverde, John Wallis, Peter Wilson and participants in the American Economic Association Annual Meeting for their comments, and Camilo García, Tarek Hassan, Jutta Hoppe and Michael Kapps for excellent research assistance. The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Bureau of Economic Research.

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French revolution

Napoleonic wars.

  • About these guides

French Revolution Digital Archive Ongoing project to produce a digital version of the key research sources of the French Revolution.

Actes royaux français, 1256-1794 (French Royal Acts, 1256-1794) Archives Unbound "Approximately 16,000 pamphlets covering this important period in French history are available in this collection. One of the largest collections of its kind, it offers a wealth of information on the legislative history and governance of France, as well as other aspects of French life." From the New York Public Library.

Journal. (États généraux, France) 1508.358 7 reels Printed guide: none Description: avril, 1789 - septembre, 1791

[French government documents of the revolutionary period]

  • Proces-verbal (France. Assemblée nationale constituante. 1789) Rare Books Off-Site Storage 0850.36.2
  • Journal (France. Assemblée nationale legislative. 1791-92) Rare Books Off-Site Storage 0850.361
  • Journal (France. Convention nationale. 1792-95) Rare Books Off-Site Storage 0850.362
  • and see also France in the guide to Modern Europe

Journals des débats politiques et littéraires [microform] RECAP Microfilm S00289 184 reels Printed guide: none Includes the parliamentary debates of the Etats généraux, Assemblée nationale constituante, Assemblée nationale legislative, Convention nationale, Corps legislatif. We have 1789-1944, but with a number of gaps. The title has changed over time:

  • Journal des débats et décrets
  • Journal des débats et lois du Corps législatif
  • Journal des débats et lois du pouvoir législatif, et des actes du gouvernement
  • Journal de l’Empire

Journal des débats Rare Books Off-Site Storage 0850.363 (France. Corps legislatif. 1795-1814)

Documents électoraux [microform] Microfilm 05957 4 reels Printed guide: none Documents of the Etats géneéraux from the Archives nationales (numbered ms. AN 1-19, 21-24, 26-38) for 1789.

Ancien regime in turmoil? [microform] : commerce, politics, and society in France, c. 1682-1793 : the Gazette manuscrite, 1775-1793, and related sources from the John Rylands University Library of Manchester Microfilm 10295 9 reels Printed guide: Firestone Microforms HF3555 .A524 "This project brings together a variety of original manuscript sources from the John Rylands University Library of Manchester, dominated by the Gazette Manuscrite, a manuscript newsletter documenting the period 1775-1793. The period before and during the French Revolution is brought to life in ten volumes of letters (over 1,150 in total) sent on weekly basis from Paris to Rennes." See http://www.adam-matthew-publications.co.uk/digital_guides/ancien_regime_in_turmoil/Contents.aspx .

French Revolutionary pamphlets [microform] Microcard: located in Firestone Microforms: Cabinet 1 c. 2,000 microcards Printed guide: Firestone Microforms Z2179 .N47 This collection was published in the early 1960's by Falls City Microcards and sold by Microcard Editions, Inc. The microcard collection was based primarily on the Talleyrand Collection at the New York Public Library (see "Printed guide" above) and the Melvin Collection at the University of Kansas. There are records in the Main Catalog for about 2,000 items in this collection, and a title list on the microfiche at the beginning of the microcard set.

French Revolution collections in the Department of Special Collections "The Library has a great quantity of material on the French Revolution. The most effective access to holdings is provided by the following publication: Pamphlets, Periodicals, and Songs of the French Revolutionary Era in the Princeton University Library: A Descriptive Catalogue together with Indexes compiled by Carla Hesse and Laura Mason with the assistance of Stephen Ferguson. (New York and Princeton, 1989) [(ExB) Z2178 .P76 1989]. This short-title catalogue lists the Library's 3000+ pamphlets from the French Revolutionary period." The component collections include Bord, Weaver, Chinard, and Rogers.

Papers of August von Gneisenau, ca. 1785-1831 [microform] 1580.177.396.39 40 reels Printed guide: none "This collection of Gneisenau’s private and official papers consists, in general, of letters and reports sent and received, manuscript and printed copies of Cabinet orders, tables of disposition of troops of the Prussian and other armies, military and political studies and memoranda prepared by or submitted to Gneisenau, muster rolls and other records of units of the Prussian Army, and directives and circular letters issued by the Prussian Ministry of War. The papers concern such topics as the defense of Kolberg; the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815; negotiations with French Government, 1814 and 1815; and the administration, organization, training, and equipment of the Prussian Army"

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Articles on French Revolution

Displaying 1 - 20 of 37 articles.

french revolution research paper topics

Napoleon the lawmaker: What Ridley Scott’s film leaves out

Kelly Summers , MacEwan University

french revolution research paper topics

Napoleon: ignore the griping over historical details, Ridley Scott’s film is a meditation on the madness of power

Christophe Premat , Stockholm University

french revolution research paper topics

Explainer: the philosophy of Jean-Jacques Rousseau is profoundly contemporary

Chris Fleming , Western Sydney University

french revolution research paper topics

Debate: Why France needs the Fifth Republic

Emmanuel Destenay , Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne

french revolution research paper topics

The French Revolution executed royals and nobles, yes – but most people killed were commoners

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Medieval Europe — French Revolution

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Essays on French Revolution

The French Revolution was one of the most significant events in modern European history. The revolution, which began in 1789 and lasted for a decade, had a profound impact on France and the rest of the world. It brought about radical changes in politics, society, and culture, and laid the foundation for the modern nation-state. As such, it is a rich and complex topic for historical analysis and provides ample opportunity for engaging essays.

When it comes to writing an essay on the French Revolution, choosing the right topic is crucial. The French Revolution was a multifaceted event, and there are numerous aspects and themes to explore. By selecting the right topic, you can delve deeper into the subject matter and present a more insightful and well-researched essay.

When selecting a topic for your French Revolution essay, it's important to consider your interests and the available research material. Choose a topic that you are passionate about and that has enough scholarly resources to support your arguments. Additionally, consider the scope of your essay and whether you want to focus on a specific event, individual, or broader thematic issue.

Recommended French Revolution Essay Topics

If you are looking for essay topics on the French Revolution, you have come to the right place. Here is a list of recommended French Revolution essay topics, divided by category::

Political Aspects

  • The Causes of the French Revolution
  • The Role of the Estates-General in the Revolution
  • The Reign of Terror and its Impact on French Politics
  • The Rise and Fall of Robespierre
  • The Influence of Enlightenment Ideas on Revolutionary Politics
  • The Role of Women in the French Revolution

Social and Economic Issues

  • The Impact of the French Revolution on Peasants and the Rural Population
  • The Role of the Bourgeoisie in the Revolution
  • The Economic Causes of the French Revolution
  • The Abolition of Feudalism and its Consequences
  • The Effects of the Revolution on Class Structure and Social Mobility
  • The Role of Food Shortages in Provoking the Revolution

Cultural and Intellectual Changes

  • The Impact of the French Revolution on Art and Literature
  • The Role of Print Culture in Shaping Revolutionary Discourse
  • The Evolution of Revolutionary Symbols and Propaganda
  • The Influence of the Revolution on Education and Knowledge Production
  • The Legacy of the French Revolution in Political Thought
  • The Role of Religion in Revolutionary France

Global Impact

  • The French Revolution and its Influence on the American Revolution
  • The Impact of the French Revolution on European Monarchies
  • The Spread of Revolutionary Ideas in the Caribbean and Latin America
  • The Revolutionary Wars and their Impact on European Diplomacy
  • The French Revolution and the Emergence of Nationalism
  • The Legacy of the French Revolution in Global Revolutionary Movements

These essay topics provide a wide range of options for exploring the French Revolution from various angles. Whichever topic you choose, make sure to conduct thorough research and present a well-structured argument supported by evidence. By selecting a compelling and relevant topic, you can craft an engaging and informative essay on this pivotal period in history.

Similarities and Differences of The French and American Revolutions

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Effects of The French Revolution on France

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5 May 1789 – 9 November 1799

Kingdom of France

Coup of 18–19 Brumaire, Civil Constitution of the Clergy, French Revolutionary wars, Reign of Terror, Thermidorian Reaction.

Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Napoleon I, Maximilien Robespierre.

The French Revolution was a watershed event in modern European history that began with the Estates General of 1789 and ended with the formation of the French Consulate in November 1799. French citizens changed their country’s political landscape, uprooting absolute monarchy and the feudal system.

The first of the general causes was the social structure of the country that was the feudal system. French participation in the American Revolution had driven the government to the brink of bankruptcy. In general, causes of the recolution can be seen as arising from the failure of the Ancien Régime to manage social and economic inequality.

At the start of the revolution, the National Assembly demanded that King Louis XVI give the Third Estate certain rights. Rumours of an “aristocratic conspiracy” led to the Great Fear of July 1789, and Parisians seized the Bastille on July 14. The National Assembly drafted a new constitution in 1789. In April 1792, France declared war on Austria and Prussia, beginning the French Revolutionary Wars. On January 21, 1793, King Louis XVI was condemned to death, and, later his wife too.

Following the king’s execution and war with various European powers, the French Revolution turned into its most violent and turbulent phase. The "Reign of Terror" was an attempt to eradicate alleged "counter-revolutionaries", which lasted from 1793 to 1794. Over 16,000 people have been executed in Paris and the provinces.

On November 9, 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte abolished the Directory and appointed himself France’s “first consul”, that marked the end of the French Revolution and the beginning of the Napoleonic era.

Abolition of the Ancien Régime and creation of constitutional monarchy; Proclamation of First French Republic in September 1792; Reign of Terror and Execution of Louis XVI; French Revolutionary Wars; Establishment of the French Consulate in November 1799.

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Writing the Revolution: A French Woman's History in Letters

Writing the Revolution: A French Woman's History in Letters

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Writing the Revolution challenges the thesis that exclusion defined women’s experiences of the French Revolution by exploring the life of a middle-class wife and mother of revolutionary elites, Rosalie Jullien. Rosalie’s nearly 1,000 familiar letters illuminate the intellectual, emotional, and familial life of a revolutionary in all of its complexity. This book argues that although Rosalie never engaged in political activity as historians have usually defined it, she was an active revolutionary in unconventional ways. Furthermore, her life was revolutionized on the intimate scales of family life and identity.

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Finding Books

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  • France --History --Revolution, 1789-1799.
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  • Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821.

French Revolution & Napoleon @ FSU

FSU Special Collections & Archives houses one of the largest research collections in the world on Napoleonic studies and the French Revolution. Letters, journals, memoirs, newspapers, pamphlets and over 10,000 published books provide insight into the social, political, and military history of the times.

FSU is also home to the Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution, a unique institution of graduate education in the History Department in the College of Arts and Sciences.It hosts an annual Weider History Conference bringing together early-career scholars from Europe and North America to present their cutting-edge research in the field of French Revolutionary historical study, organizes international conferences, publishes new research, sponsors a Distinguished Lecture Series at Florida State University, and is a founding member of the Consortium on the Revolutionary Era.

  • Institute on Napoleon and the French Revolution
  • Consortium on the Revolutionary Era This interdisciplinary conference encourages scholars to present work on any topic related to the period 1750-1850 in any geographical location.

For more on these materials in the FSU Special Collections & Archives, visit:

  • French Revolution & Napoleon Collections by Rory Grennan Last Updated Feb 22, 2024 333 views this year

Primary Sources

  • Newspapers & Magazines
  • Digital Collections
  • Microfilm Collections
  • Online Exhibits & Guides
  • French Revolution Pamphlets Digital Initiative Comprehensive digital collection of more than 38,000 pamphlets from the Newberry Library’s renowned collection of French revolutionary materials. Related resources include tools for teaching and research. more... less... French Revolution Collection (FRC): The French Revolution Collection consists of more than 30,000 pamphlets and more than 23,000 issues of 180 periodicals published between 1780 and 1810. The collection represents the opinions of all the factions that opposed and defended the monarchy during the turbulent period between 1789-1799 and also contains innumerable ephemeral publications of the early Republic.
  • French Revolution Pamphlet Collection Collection of literary and satirical pamphlets held at Emory University.(1789-1799; transcriptions)
  • Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité: Exploring the French Revolution An exhibit of documents, images, and music sourced from the Musée de la Révolution Française, Cornell University, and the U. S. Library of Congress. Includes 12 topical essays, 250 images, 350 text documents,13 songs, 13 maps, a timeline, and a glossary. more... less... A collaboration of the Roy Rosenzweig Center for History and New Media at George Mason University and the American Social History Project at City University of New York, supported by grants from the Florence Gould Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
  • L'Ami du peuple 1789-1792 Jean-Paul Marat's newspaper comprises nearly 700 issues. It is a notable example of French Revolutionary populism.

Great Britain

  • Times Digital Archive This link opens in a new window Read the news from London beginning in 1785 and throughout the revolutionary and Napoleonic eras. When searching historical newspapers, you may encounter unusual spelling and out-dated (or even offensive) terminology. more... less... Abbreviation: tdar Vendor: Gale Coverage: 1785-1985, 2015-2019 Subjects: History Type: Historical / Primary Sources, Images, Newspapers and Newswires
  • Burney Collection Newspapers This link opens in a new window Collected by the Reverend Charles Burney, this unique collection represents the largest single archive of 17th and 18th century news media available from the British Library. more... less... Abbreviation: bcn Vendor: Gale Coverage: 1603-1788 Subjects: History Type: Historical / Primary Sources, Newspapers and Newswires

The Americas

  • Caribbean Newspapers, Series I: 1718–1876 This link opens in a new window Caribbean Newspapers, 1718–1876—the largest online collection of 18th- and 19th-century newspapers published in this region—will provide a comprehensive primary resource for studying the development of Western society and international relations within this important group of islands. This unique resource will prove essential for researching colonial history, the Atlantic slave trade, international commerce, New World slavery and U.S. relations with the region as far back as the early 18th century. more... less... Abbreviation: carinp Vendor: NewsBank Coverage: 1718-1876 Subjects: History, Latin American & Caribbean Studies Type: Historical / Primary Sources, Newspapers and Newswires
  • Accessible Archives This link opens in a new window Select the Pennsylvania Gazette to read one of the most important newspapers in the North American colonies and the newly independent United States. Published by Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia between 1728 and 1800. more... less... Abbreviation: aacarc Vendor: Accessible Archives Subjects: African-American Studies, History, Women's and Gender Studies Type: Newspapers and Newswires
  • Eighteenth Century Collections Online This link opens in a new window Eighteenth Century Collections Online is based on The English Short Title Catalogue, a machine-readable union list of the holdings of the British Library, as well as those from more than 1,500 university, private and public libraries worldwide. This includes over 150,000 English-language titles and editions published between 1701–1800. This online collection is divided into seven subject areas: history and geography; social science and fine arts; medicine, science and technology; literature and language; religion and philosophy; law; and reference. Part II expands the collection with an emphasis on literature, social science, and religion. FSU has access to parts one and two. more... less... Abbreviation: 18thcen Vendor: Gale Coverage: 1701-1800 Subjects: History, Literature Type: E-Book Collections, Historical / Primary Sources
  • French Revolution Digital Archive A collaboration of the Stanford University Libraries and the Bibliothèque nationale de France. Includes two collections: 1. Archives parlementaires / Parliamentary archives 2. Images de la Révolution française / Images of the French Revolution
  • Gallica Digital Library Gallica is the digital library of the Bibliothèque nationale de France. It has both primary and secondary sources.
  • Classiques Garnier Numerique -- La Revolution et l'Empire (The Writings of 19th century historians on the Revolution and Empire) Provides full-text, key-word searchable access to primary texts and reference works.
  • Eurodocs: France, 1789-1871 (Richard Hacken, Brigham Young University) List of online documents.
  • Bills and Acts 1695-1900 (House of Commons drafts of legislation, to be reviewed through various parliamentary stages.)
  • Command Papers 1833-1900 (House of Commons government papers conveying information or decisions the Government wishes to draw to attention of the House, presented by Command of Her Majesty.)
  • House of Commons Papers 1715-1900 (Documents resulting from the work of the House of Commons.)
  • House of Commons Hansard, 1803-2005 (Transcription of debates)
  • House of Lords Hansard, 1803-2005 (Transcription of debates)
  • Décrets et Lois 1789-1795 : Collection Baudouin Le projet ANR Rev-Loi met à disposition les 20 047 décrets et lois révolutionnaires de la Collection Baudouin pour les années 1789-1799.

Ambassadorial & Secret Service reports on Revolutionary and Napoleonic France (FO 27), 1781-1815 - Public Record Office  Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film 9406 Guide: STROZIER LIBRARY Micro DA47.1.A43 1984 CRL Guide: http://dds.crl.edu/CRLdelivery.asp?tid=13228

Diplomatic correspondence between England and France, 1802-1803 with an appendix Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film 4318 no.18761 Includes some papers in French with English translation.

Despatches from United States ministers to France (1789-1906) - United States. Dept. of State.  Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials Film 436 France General records of the US Department of State. Record Group 59. File microcopies of records in the US National Archives.

Notes from the French legation in the United States to the Department of State, 1789-1906 - France. Ambassade (U.S.)   Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials Film 510 France

Americana not in Sabin, Group 5: France and America during the French Revolution Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials Mic 944.04 Most items in French. There does not appear to be a guide to this material. Search the catalog under the title "Americana not in Sabin" to get the full list of titles available. Some deal with French colonies, including Haiti.

N apoléon , sa Famille et son Entourage: Documents du Musée Historique d'État, Moscou Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film 9528 Most items in French, some items in other languages, German, etc.; Pref. and Remerciements in English. Guide: STROZIER LIBRARY Micr DC216 .N36 1998

Sources Statistiques de l'Histoire de France les Enquêtes des Préfets de l'Empire Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Mif 3724 Online Guide: http://images.crl.edu/100.pdf Print Guide: STROZIER LIBRARY Micr HA1215.S68 1975 guide

French Royal and Administrative Acts, 1256-1794 Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials Film 9704 Guide: Marcel Lipkowitz. French royal and administrative acts, 1256-1794 : a subject guide to the New York Public Library collection of 16,000 pamphlets now on microfilm. NY: New York Public Library, Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations, 1978. STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- KJV270 .F74 1978-In-Library Use Only Collection consists of approximately 16,000 pamphlets offering a wealth of information on the financial and political administration of France from the late thirteenth century to the end of the monarchy, with about three-fourths concentrating on the eighteenth century. Includes Arrets (the final judgments of an edict of the king by Parlements or royal courts or councils), Memoires (official reminders), Lettre Patentes (which established privileges), Royal Ordonnances (in response to petitions), and Remonstrances and Extraits. The subject matter varies widely and includes such topics as fiscal matters in the Chambres des Comptes, taxation and tariffs, toll collections and disputes, military administration, criminal justice, book printing and prohibitions, significant people and guilds.

Maclure Collection of French Revolutionary Materials Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film 2669 Guide: STROZIER LIBRARY Micr Z2179 .P4 1460 volumes in 372 reels French Revolutionary Pamphlets, Broadsides, and Ephemera

Journal de Paris No.1 (Jan. 1777)-no.181 (June 1827) Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film PR 246 Journaux éphéméres de la période de la révolution Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film PR 253 1788-1789 Consists of 95 titles issued in Paris 1789-1792.

Napoleonic Wars, 1805-1815 Napoleonovskie von̆y, 1805-1815 - Russian State Military History Archive, Moscow, Russia Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film 9686 Guide: STROZIER LIBRARY Micr DC226.2.N34 2002

The Maclure Collection of FrenchRevolutionary Materials Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials -- Film 2669 Reels: 1-372

Bonaparte crossing the Great Saint Bernard, painting by Jacques-Louis David

  • [Napoleonic miscellany : French language pamphlets, extracted periodical articles, and leaflets relating to Napoleón, the French Revolution, and the Napoleonic period.] Call Number: FSU STROZIER, Special Coll Rare -- DC197.N35 Publication Date: 1860-1967 11 Boxes
  • [Napoleonic miscellany : German language pamphlets, extracted periodical articles, and leaflets relating to Napoléon, the French Revolution and the Napoleonic period.] Call Number: FSU STROZIER, Special Coll Rare -- DC197.N36 Publication Date: [1815-1932]
  • Internet Modern History Sourcebook: the French Revolution. Fordham University's directory of freely-available primary and secondary source material on the Web.
  • Europeana Collections Materials from galleries, libraries, archives and museums from all over Europe that want to share their collections with a wider audience.
  • The Napoleon Series Acknowledging the extraordinary talents of the man who defined an age (1789-1821) and the remarkable men and women who peopled and shaped it, the Napoleon Series seeks to promote the continued, scholarly exploration of that age. The Napoleon Series is dedicated to the free exchange of ideas and information with good will, intellectual integrity, and respect for divergent perspectives, journeying in international fellowship to probe and illuminate the history of an era whose reverberations still echo today.
  • Exploring the French Revolution This great site is a collaboration of the Center for History and New Media (George Mason University) and the American Social History Project (City University of New York). It serves as a useful and lively introduction to the French Revolution as well as a repository of many key documents from the era. Among its offerings are numerous essays, 245 images, 338 text documents, 13 songs, a timeline, a glossary, and short audiovisual lectures from leading historians. The site should help visitors understand the causes of the French Revolution and the reasons for its radicalization. Furthermore, there are commentaries on the French Revolution by Thomas Jefferson and other prominent Americans of the time. In all, Exploring the French Revolution is an engaging resource for learning and teaching about the French Revolution.
  • Napoleon.org - The history website of the Fondation Napoléon Whether you're a fan or a specialist, a young historian or just landed here by accident, this site offers a detailed account of the history of the two great French Empires. There are timelines, bibliographies and articles, there are "focus on" files and commentaries on Napoleonic imagery, and there are pages bringing you the basic info as well as a wealth of more detailed documentation. It's a Napoleonic one-stop shop!
  • The French Revolution: A Resource Guide Historical evidence and interpretation including background, books, documents, internet guides, maps, pictorial resources, scholarly journals, songs and videos. Produced by Carnegie Mellon University.
  • French Revolution Resources - The History Guide A list of Internet resources useful to the study of the French Revolution and its subsequent impact on 19th century European history.
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French Revolution and Napoleonic Era Essay

Fiscal irresponsibility, democracy and brotherhood, liberty and equality.

The French Revolution (1789-1815) came a time when the political systems and structures were in great disfavor of the general population. This essay explores some of the factors that spurred the revolution from different perspectives.

The constant state of financial crisis in France when King Louis XVI was in power was a sour taste in the mouth of many. To make matters worse, the Seven Year’s war that was financed by the Kingdom drained the regime financially leading to a state of desperation among the citizens.

The relationship between the aristocracy and the King grew tense. As a result, publishing of the royal decrees by magistrates deployed at the parlements was constrained by the very magistrates as a way of showing their discontent. The fiscal irresponsibility was aggravated when the King commissioned France to yet another war (Dwyer & McPhee, 2002). Subsequently, rebellion and a spirit of revolution began to ferment among the commoners, the nobility and the clergy as well as the wider French society.

Real democracy in France came at a time when elections were permitted for all groups of citizens, drawn from different classes and estates. Indeed, the spirit of brotherhood was visible in the wake of democracy as Estates General announced elections that almost immediately, sparked vicious rounds of political debate and wrangling (Dwyer & McPhee, 2002).

Needless to say, the spirit of brotherhood was heavily demonstrated by the members of the Third Estate who organized various public forums to demand for a wider democratic space than they had been allotted before.

Later, the Estates general gathered a host of grievances in note books as a show of solidarity wit the cry of the people in terms of political dissatisfaction. The universality of unhappiness was vividly demonstrated in this collection, a real display of brotherhood towards a common foe-unpopular regime (Kishlansky, Geary & O’Brien, 2008).

The high state of arrogance, self confidence as well as excessive pride among the autocratic rulers played a key role in the French Revolution. It is understood that at one point in time, the noble existence of the National Assembly was arrogantly refuted by King Louis XVI.

As much as the National Assembly was a constitutionally structured organ, he did disregard in totality and instead started marshaling troops in order to forcibly fix his will against the people. This did not go down well with the French public. They took to arms and stormed the royal armory (Dwyer & McPhee, 2002). The National Assembly was thereafter supported by the citizen militia that was formed to counter the King’s unilateral decision.

The Declaration of equal rights of men and women by the French National Assembly in 1789 was indeed a wake up call for the French citizenry to not only be aware of the basic human rights and equity, but also fight for it passionately.

Although the constitution that was enacted three years later lacked much of the ideals of democracy, it provided a broad platform through reformers and other French citizens could air their opinions as well as champion for their rights. In fact, the new constitutional dispensation gave some room to pin-hole liberty in France amid co0nstraints in some clauses.

Unfortunately, the fact that the very constitution acted a springboard for good governance in future did not imply that it would not encounter resistance. For example, voting rights were only reserved to those who owned property or were wealthy.

Besides, the political elite were those who controlled wealth (Kishlansky, Geary & O’Brien, 2008). Such disparity between the have and the have-nots sparked anger and discontent on the basis of lack of equality and liberty to all and sundry. The end result of such an undmo0cratic system was definitely incessant rebellion.

Massive human suffering and subsequent loss of life during the historical French revolution was mainly aggravated by the state of technology at that time. For instance, the invention of guillotine machine led to mass killing whereby those who participated in the revolution were captured and victimized by chopping off the head.

On one end, it was used as a vital tool for suppressing the revolution (Dwyer & McPhee, 2002). On the other hand, the use of the device in committing mass murders heightened the anger of reformers and consequently acted as an impetus in worsening the revolution through counter attacks to the unpopular regime.

Dwyer, G. P. & McPhee, P. (2002). The French Revolution and Napoleon: a sourcebook , New York: Routledge.

Kishlansky, M., Geary, P. & O’Brien, P. (2008). Civilization in the West (7 th ed.), New York: Longman Pearson Education, Inc.

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IvyPanda. (2020, April 24). French Revolution and Napoleonic Era. https://ivypanda.com/essays/french-revolution-and-napoleonic-era/

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IvyPanda . 2020. "French Revolution and Napoleonic Era." April 24, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/french-revolution-and-napoleonic-era/.

1. IvyPanda . "French Revolution and Napoleonic Era." April 24, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/french-revolution-and-napoleonic-era/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "French Revolution and Napoleonic Era." April 24, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/french-revolution-and-napoleonic-era/.

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IMAGES

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    Abstract. This text offers a comprehensive overview of the varied historiographical landscape of the French Revolution. Contributions consider in detail the intersection of longstanding debates and recent groundbreaking research, ranging from the social, economic and demographic shifts underpinning the condition of France in the 1780s, through the varied international contexts of the ...

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    The Consequences of Radical Reform: The French Revolution. Daron Acemoglu, Davide Cantoni, Simon Johnson & James A. Robinson. Working Paper 14831. DOI 10.3386/w14831. Issue Date April 2009. The French Revolution of 1789 had a momentous impact on neighboring countries. The French Revolutionary armies during the 1790s and later under Napoleon ...

  9. The French Revolution in Its Historical Context Research Paper

    The French Revolution of 1789-1799 was a defining moment in world history, marking the end of the old order and the beginning of modernity. The French Revolution was a series of events that marked the downfall of the Bourbon monarchy and the rise of a democratic republic in France. Several factors, including the economic crisis, political ...

  10. Primary Sources

    The French Revolution Digital Archive (FRDA) is a multi-year collaboration of the Stanford University Libraries and the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF) to produce a digital version of the key research sources of the French Revolution and make them available to the international scholarly community.

  11. Research Guides: Medieval & early modern Europe: French Revolution

    Ongoing project to produce a digital version of the key research sources of the French Revolution. Actes royaux français, 1256-1794 (French Royal Acts, ... The papers concern such topics as the defense of Kolberg; the campaigns of 1813, 1814, and 1815; negotiations with French Government, 1814 and 1815; and the administration, organization ...

  12. French Revolution News, Research and Analysis

    The French Revolution executed royals and nobles, yes - but most people killed were commoners. Claire Rioult, Monash University and Romain Fathi, Flinders University. A series of laws voted up ...

  13. French Revolution Essays

    French Revolution Napoleon. Topics: Age of Enlightenment, American Revolutionary War, Communism, Conservatism, Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, Deism, Enlightened absolutism, Estates of the realm, Estates-General of 1789, Europe. 27.

  14. Scholarly Articles on the French Revolution

    The French Revolution (1789-1799) was a period in history of political reform and violence. The events of the revolution had an impact not only in France but around the globe as well. It marked the widespread shift from monarchies to republican and democratic governments that began during the late eighteenth century.

  15. Research Guides: French Revolution and Napoleon Seminar: French

    A guide to help you research the French revolution and Napoleon containing links to the best research databases to use, primary and secondary resources, and citing help ... Use the blue tabs on the left to navigate through the different research areas and topics available in this guide. When you click on a tab, you will notice that the ...

  16. (PDF) French Revolution

    Introduction. The French Revolution of 1789 had far-reaching effects on the social and political life of people. The revolutionary principles of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity generated a new ...

  17. Writing the Revolution: A French Woman's History in Letters

    Abstract. Writing the Revolution challenges the thesis that exclusion defined women's experiences of the French Revolution by exploring the life of a middle-class wife and mother of revolutionary elites, Rosalie Jullien. Rosalie's nearly 1,000 familiar letters illuminate the intellectual, emotional, and familial life of a revolutionary in all of its complexity.

  18. French Revolution & Napoleonic Wars

    Notes from the French legation in the United States to the Department of State, 1789-1906 - France. Ambassade (U.S.) Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials Film 510 France. Americana not in Sabin, Group 5: France and America during the French Revolution Call Number: STROZIER LIBRARY Micromaterials Mic 944.04 Most items in French.

  19. PDF The Role of Women in The French Revolution: a Studyof Their ...

    in 1791, which argued for women's equality in the eyes of the law. A research paper on the role of women in the French Revolution could explore the writings and ideas of women like de Gouges, as well as their impact on revolutionary thought. Women's Influence on Revolutionary Policies: Finally, a research paper on this topic could explore the ways

  20. French Revolution and Napoleonic Era

    Table of Contents. The French Revolution (1789-1815) came a time when the political systems and structures were in great disfavor of the general population. This essay explores some of the factors that spurred the revolution from different perspectives. We will write a custom essay on your topic. 809 writers online.

  21. French Revolution Research Paper Topics

    of French Revolution Research Paper Topics that are either in the public domain, licensed for free distribution, or provided by authors and publishers with the right to share their work. We actively discourage the distribution of copyrighted material without proper authorization.