European History Hive

 By 1830, the congress system had failed to achieve its noble objectives and  was already languishing in the dustbin of history. The factors for the downfall  of the congress system were too varied and complex. They range from the  selfish and divergent interests of the powers to the absence of an agreed  principle of political faith and the social developments of a new Europe  against conservative forces leave alone the emergence of new and  inexperienced leaders. 1. Self interest of the congress powers The congress system was doomed from the onset due to conflicting aims of  its participants. It was a combination of different states with different aims  and objectives that became a source of mistrust, suspicion, jealousy and  conflicts amongst the powers. This was because each power wanted to  satisfy its national interest and refused to sacrifice it for the sake of common  interest. Austria wanted to use the congress system ...

 The reign of terror was the second significant stage in the course of the  French revolution. It began after the death of Mirabeau and ended with  the death of Robespierre. The reign of terror was characterized by violence,  total breakdown of law and order, economic crisis, under development,  loss of property and heavy massacres. It was championed by lower class  people with burning desires for power like Herbert, Danton, Marat and  Robespierre. There were three forms of terror i.e. political, terror, which was against anti- revolutionary elements especially the clergy and the nobles, economic  terror which was designed to eliminate currency manipulators and  hoarders of essential commodities and religious terror which was directed  against the catholic church, its practices and privileges. It should be noted that the French revolution was initially a peaceful reform  movement that merely demanded for changes within the monarchy....

 1.The Estates General Meeting of 5th May 1789. The estates general meeting of 5th May 1789 comprised of 621  representatives of the third estate, 308 clergy and 285 nobles. Louis xvi and  his poor advisors thought that each estate representative would present a  list of grievances (cashiers) and offer some advice which would help in  solving financial crisis and other problems that France was facing. The  cashiers expressed loyalty and fidelity (faith) to the king; most of them  reflected the radical philosophy of the age and demanded for reforms in  the government and society. Many of the cashiers demanded for the  abolition of social inequalities in the society. The mood of the third estate  was expressed in a pamphlet written by Abbey Sieyes which was circulated  in large numbers on the eve of the French revolution What is the third estate? , Asked Sieyes, Everything' What has it been in politics up to now? Nothing What does it ...