Reformation vs. French Revolution

Paper Summary:

This paper examines how throughout Europe's history the themes of religion and state serve as guidelines for examining the nature and shape of society. In particular, it looks at how the Protestant Revolution triggered by Martin Luther in 1517, and the French Revolution in 1789 both exemplify major changes in the leadership, structure, and ideals of their respective time periods. It discusses how, with the Reformation, came a movement to lessen the authority and corruption of the Roman Catholic Church and the Pope. In comparison, it looks at how the French Revolution, however, involved the abandoning of the divine right of kings and the monarchy's control over society. The paper contends that the French revolution, when compared with the Protestant Reformation, was more significant in changing the nature of society within Europe.

From the Paper:

"In 1792, the Republic was established and the King was forced to acknowledge a formal constitution. The King and his Queen Marie-Antoinette had already tried to flee the country and they were locked in the palace of Tuileries. This example of cruel intentions towards a king was becoming ever more socially acceptable, like in the case of Oliver Cromwell, and his takeover of the English Crown. There was a call from the other Kings of Europe to restore the King of France to his original powers. The Legislative Assembly figured that if a foreign war would start that the King would appear as a traitor to the crown. War was declared on Austria in April of 1792. The fear of invading forces created paranoia around France. A Radical Republican wing known as the Jacobins overthrew control of the Legislative Assembly and marched upon Tuileries with mostly a volunteer force of about 20,000 men. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Fortescue William, Revolution and Counter-Revolution in France 1815-1852, Basil Blackwell Inc. 1988
• Lortz, Joseph. The Reformation in Germany, Chaucer Press Ltd. New York.1968.
• Vovelle Michel, The Fall of the French Monarchy 1787-1792, University of Cambridge, New York, New York 1972.
• Wilson, Derek .Out of the Storm: The Life and Legacy of Martin Luther. Hutchinson, London 2007.

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