Difference Between French Revolution and Russian Revolution

French Revolution vs Russian Revolution
 

French Revolution and Russian Revolution show enormous differences between them when it comes to their results and the way they operated. The French Revolution took place between 1789 and 1799 AD. The Russian revolution took place in 1917 during the World War 1. As a result, the impact of the revolution on Russia was far greater than the impact on France from their revolution. This was simply because Russia was fighting in the world war when all these rebellions started to take place inside the country. The French revolution, on the other hand, was something the country had to go through while France was not engaged in international conflicts.

More about French Revolution

The French Revolution took place between 1789 and 1799 AD in France. The participants of the revolution were primarily the French society. The primary cause of French Revolution is the government run by the King Louis XVI running into a fiscal crisis in the 1780s. So, to solve the crisis, the King imposed huge taxes on the people who no longer could bear paying taxes.

When we look at the important happenings during the French Revolution, storming of the Bastille was one of the chief events of the French Revolution. Other chief events of the French Revolution included women’s march on Versailles, royal flight to Varennes, and completion of the constitution. The French revolution resulted in the failure of the constitutional monarchy. Thus, the constitutional crisis was a consequence of the French revolution. It is also known as a chief happening during the French Revolution.

Role of women was another important feature seen during the French Revolution. The role of women was felt to a great extent during the French Revolution. It attained the shape in the form of women writers and feminist agitation during the French Revolution.

When it comes to results of the revolution, the French Revolution ultimately saw the execution of King Louis XVI. It paved the way for the first declaration of human rights, which is known as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. Also, as a result of the French Revolution, a major shift of power took place from the Roman Catholic Church to the state.

More about Russian Revolution

On the other hand, the Russian Revolution took place in the year 1917. In fact, it refers to a series of revolutions in Russia that took place in that year. The bad economy Russia was experiencing at that time and the people’s displeasure at their ruler’s (Tsar Nicolas II) governing were the causes for the Russian Revolution. There was a pre-revolution, which was done by unarmed protestors in 1905. However, the soldiers fired at the unarmed protestors. This day is known as Bloody Sunday. It is believed that this incident was also a main reason behind the resolution of 1917. The Russian Revolution ultimately resulted in the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II.

It is important to note that the Russian Revolution marked the end of the Russian Empire. It pronounced the Bolsheviks’ takeover of power and the start of the Russian Civil War. The Tsar was replaced by a provincial government in February 1917.

It is interesting to note that the Russian Revolution sounded the death knell for the imperial family. It happened during the World War I. Another very important result of the Russian revolution is the creation of the Russian Soviet Frederative Socialist Republic.

What is the difference between French Revolution and Russian Revolution?

• Period:

• The French revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799.

• The Russian revolution took place in 1917.

• Causes:

• The French revolution was the result of a bad economy with unbearable taxes and the bad leadership of Louis XVI.

• The Russian revolution was the result of a bad economy and the bad leadership of Tsar Nicolas II.

• Fate of the Monarchy:

• The monarchy of France saw an end due to the French revolution.

• The monarchy of Russia saw an end due to the Russian revolution.

• Fate of Monarch:

• The ruling monarch at the time, Louis XVI, was executed once the French revolution became successful.

• The ruling monarch at the time, Tsar Nicolas II, was executed once the Russian revolution became successful.

• Pre-Revolution:

• There was no pre-revolution before the French revolution.

• There was a pre-revolution before the Russian revolution. This pre-revolution took place in 1905. This was only done to show the king the society’s displeasure.

• Connection to World Wars:

• The French revolution took place before the world wars.

• The Russian revolution took place during the World War 1.

• Resulting Political System:

• French revolution paid the way for democracy.

• Russian revolution paid the way for communism.

These are the main differences between the French Revolution and the Russian Revolution.

Images Courtesy: Storming of Bastille and Russian Revolution via Wikicommons (Public Domain)