Creating a Republic

Hi guys,

sorry it's taken me a while to put this online - we'll discuss it in class on Wednesday, so please make sure you've posted before then.

'In the creation of a Republic in France, the undermining of the idea of a king was more important than the removal of the king himself.'
How far do you agree? Make sure you justify your opinion with evidence from the events of the revolution.

Good luck...
Mr Farndon

The undermining of the King is far more important than the removal of the king himself; this is because of what the undermining symbolises. The Enlightenment was a major influence throughout the revolution in the undermining of the King's position, and sought to engage people's reason in the questioning of positions of authority (i.e. the king) and the inequalities of the ancién regime. Twined with the rising bread prices and taxes, the october days and the Storming of the Bastille, this meant more than just the removal of Loui XVI but conveyed a complete overhaul of society, its customs and conventions. This notion is supported by the fear of various European nations, such as Great Britain, due to the birth of the French Republic as they feared reprisals in their own countries, diminishing the importance of the removal of the king himself because the undermining of the King beared a more influential, powerful significance throughout the continent.