Revolutions Bourgeois they are revolts carried out by the bourgeois class. The economic and social aspirations of the bourgeoisie to the detriment of absolutism were responsible for these revolutions.
The bourgeoisie aspired to capitalism and, although it was economically the ruling class, it was politically and legally subordinated to the monarchy and the church.
Having taken place in several locations and in different periods, the Puritan Revolution and the Glorious Revolution, both in England, in the 17th century, as well as the French Revolution, in France, in the 18th century, stand out, however.
Discover here the main characteristics of the Bourgeoisie.
Puritan Revolution
With the death of Elizabeth I (Tudor Dynasty) The Stuart Dynasty began when Charles I assumed the throne, being succeeded after his death by his son James I.
During the Stuart Dynasty begins the confrontation between the monarchy, adept of monarchic absolutism and the British parliament, composed of bourgeois. The motivation was not only economic - the monarchy considered that the economic development aspired to by the bourgeois would be an obstacle to their government, but also of a religious character - due to the imposition of Catholicism aspired to by the king, who was Catholic, while most of the England was Anglican and Parliament, in turn, was Presbyterian.
In the course of this revolution, Charles I was sentenced to death. As a result, absolutism fell to the detriment of the rise of parliamentary monarchy.
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Glorious Revolution
The Glorious Revolution, like the Puritan Revolution, essentially marks the end of absolutism.
England, whose majority of the population was Protestant, came to be ruled by James II - Catholic king, thus being able to favor Catholicism in the most varied aspects, placing Catholics in privileged positions. Sabotaged by his own daughter Maria and his son-in-law - William Orange, both Protestants, the king flees to France and William and his wife are crowned kings, starting the parliamentary monarchy, with the approval of Bill of Rights (Statement of Rights).
See everything about the Glorious Revolution here.
French Revolution
England, unlike France, was already experiencing the process of industrialization. To accompany its rival, France needed to impose itself against the power of King Louis XVI in order to allow economic liberalism to be installed in that country, since the feudal structure (dependent on agriculture) had been generating situations of unemployment and misery, following problems that affected agricultural production.
Given the serious economic crisis that began in France, the king summoned the Estates General, which were composed of the clergy, the nobility and essentially the bourgeoisie, which, declaring itself to represent the country, formed the National Constituent Assembly and started the Revolution, in June 1789.
In August 1789, the Assembly approved the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, which would only be finalized in 1791. In addition to the well-known Enlightenment principles of liberty, equality and fraternity, it exalted the right to property and limited the power of the king. . This document was rejected by the king and soon after, the state took possession of the clergy's assets and many of its members, as many nobles fled France.
To learn more read also:Enlightenment.
In 1792 the Republic was proclaimed and King Louis XVI was sentenced to death, finally questioning the figure of the monarch as a divine representative.
Read more:
- English Revolution
- Social Contract