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Influence of the French Revolution on Sociology

Aaron Mark Austin 1043923

Ashley Vancooten 1045754
Derryous Calender 1045915
Joseph Nurse 1043234
Oneika Langhhome 1014619

Mrs. Rebeca Persaud

Department of Sociology, University of Guayana

SOC1200 Introduction to Sociological Theory

th
February 28 , 2022
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Origin of the French Revolution

The French Revolution also called the Revolution was a period of changes that began in 1787
and ended in 1799 to change the political structure and unfair relationship between rulers and the
people who they ruled over. The French Revolution marked a major turning point in European
history and had a profound impact on the development of sociology. It challenged traditional
social, political, and economic structures and laid the foundation for a new social order based on
liberty, equality, and fraternity. The ideas and events of the French Revolution were influential in
shaping the field of sociology by providing the theoretical and political context for the
development of the discipline.
One of the keyways the French Revolution influenced sociology was by sparking an
interest in the study of society and social change. This led to the development of a new scientific
approach to studying society, known as positivism, which emphasized the use of empirical
methods to understand social phenomena. This approach laid the foundation for the development
of classical sociology, which was characterized by the work of Emile Durkheim, Max Weber,
and Karl Marx.
During the French Revolution, numerous changes occur, mainly the end of the ancient
regime. The ancient Regime, French: “old older” political and social system of France prior to
the French Revolution. Under the regime, everyone was a subject of the King of France as well
as a member of a state and providence. All rights and status flowed from the social institutions,
divided into three orders: Clergy, Nobility, and others (The Third estate. There was no national
citizenship. 1848 (The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998).
The first state comprises the clergy, which has stratified into higher clergy, such as the
cardinals, the archbishops, the bishops, and the abbots; the second state comprises nobility, these
were divided into noble of the sword and noble of the robe and the third state comprises of the
rest of the society and included peasants, merchants the artisans and others.

Influence of the French Revolution on Society

Isidore Marie Auguste Xavier Comte, who is also known as the father of sociology, became
concerned about understanding society and the science that was behind the change of society.
Comte was interested in making sense of how society changes and how an event like the French
Revolution could exert such great influence the status of many for a short period of time.
Comte’s belief was of history and Political science could not productively explain the enormous
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changes that took place in France in only twenty years. However, he felt that a new field, which
would after some time be called sociology, was required to explain how society changes.
The French Revolution had a tremendous effect on Karl Marx. His idea of an ideal society
was to implement democracy as a belief, where all members of society participate. This idea
brought a massive change of mind whereby citizens no longer have minimalist lifestyles. People
started to move to the town areas, hence, there was an advance especially in technology and
knowledge, acquiring new skills. Also, people started to have the idea that they had to organize
to give build to society to improve people's lives.

The reign of terror

The reign of terror (French La Terreur) began September 5, 1793, and ended July 27, 1294,
the period of the French revolution when a huge number of massacres occurred. The reign of
terror was put together but the twelve-man committee of public safety. Since the reign of terror
came about because of the French revolution, it seems as though it occurred mainly because
things became too much for them to handle thus losing control. (Mark 2022)
The National Convention deemed it necessary to implement Terror as the order of the day so
that it could root out counter-revolutionary spies and conspirators. This led to the enactment of
the Law of Suspects, which allowed for the arrests of between 300,000 and half a million citizens
nationwide. This further proves that the reign of terror was a means of maintaining control
during the French revolution.

Did the French Revolution Succeed?

In some respects, the French Revolution Did not succeed but the ideas of representative
democracy and basic property rights took hold, and it showed the seed of the later revolution of
1830-1848 (The editors of Encyclopedia Britannica, 1998)

Overall, the French Revolution had a profound impact on the development of sociology, shaping
its early development and influencing its continued growth as a discipline. The events of the
revolution challenged traditional social, political, and economic structures and provided a
context for the development of a new scientific approach to the study of society.
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References

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopedia (2022). French Revolution. Encyclopedia Britannica.

https://www.britannica.com/event/French-Revolution

Emergence of sociology: French Revolution. (n.d.). http://umairkhansoc.blogspot.com/

Mark, H. W. (2022). Reign of Terror. World History Encyclopedia

https://www.worldhistory.org/Reign_of_Terror/

Nisbet, R. A. (1943). The French Revolution and the Rise of Sociology in France. American
Journal of Sociology, 49(2), 156-164. https://doi.org/10.2307/2770361

The Editors of Encyclopedia Britannica. (1998). French Revolution History, Summary Timeline,
Causes, & Facts. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/event/French-Revolution