DBQ: The French Revolution

The French Revolution was a political movement that spurred an incredible number of changes such as equality before the law, a stable economy, no unjust imprisonment and a government where the people have a say. After the revolution had succeeded, the new Directory held power in France. However, many French citizens felt like they were back at square one, with power abusing oligarchs, inequality, and an unstable economy. This changed, however, when Napoleon Bonaparte decided to take the reins from the Directory and, overall, save the revolution. It’s thanks to him that French citizens were able to enjoy fair leadership, equality before the law, and a stable economy. The first important fact about Napoleon is that he rose the ranks of government entirely fairly. He began as a military general and “ rose... to the astonishing height of power [he] possessed (being emperor) without having committed a single crime to obtain it” (Doc 6) This is significant because before and after the french Revolution, the french people have been ruled by tyrants and gluttons who weren’t wanted by the people. Napoleon's rise to power was legitimate and shows that he wasn’t a tyrant, which was one of the major threats …show more content…
This is shown in the Napoleonic Code, or Napoleon’s code of laws, when he states that his people will “enjoy a degree of liberty, equality, and prosperity never before known” (Doc 8). He ensured this by introducing trial by jury, meaning that instead of facing punishment immediately for a crime, all citizens were given the right to have their voice heard by a jury. (Doc 8) This helped to ensure that nobody was wrongfully convicted by giving everyone accused a fair chance.by taking unswayed people and going from there. This new court system in Napoleon’s empire was a step towards reviving the French