Significance of the French Revolution

In order to determine Success or Failure, you must first establish and the significance and outcome of the French Revolution. With the defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo, there was a return of the Bourbons to the throne with Louis XVIII. All of Napoleons conquests were lost by France and divided among those countries of the coalition that defeated France. Economically the wars had crushed France and left industry and commerce in ruins. Politically the coalition …

…much of the reformations made during the Revolution were later undone and the Bourbon monarchy was re-established; the French Revolution was a success because the ideals and ground work was laid for a Republic, the majority of the people were left with more freedom than they had before the Revolution, and the ideals of the Enlightenment that focused on individual freedom and natural laws were all spread across Europe for later reformation in their counties.