The French Revolution

The French Revolution was a period in time when we see a significant impact of the mass of common folk against the upperclass, which stemmed from the age of enlightenment. It was a time when educating society on subjects that only the wealthy had access to had consequences to the priviledged that inspired subsequent changes relative to the entire world.

In reference to the design cycle, the shift in what was important to the commoners was the fact that the enlightenment gave leeway for thinking beyond what life was for the people who supported the imperial, the clergy and the nobility on their backs. It offered new ways of thinking about things as they were and how they could be challenged. This was an observation of the American revolution and borrowing that idea of breaking free from power hungry royalty.

One object that best defines the result of this way of acknowledging the power of the commoners to a society is the Flag of France. Displayed on the flag are three colors, which is why it is identified as the Tricolor. The flag itself symbolizes the liberation of the people from the unjust demands of their rulers. I think that the flag with the equal three colors and the classic white in the middle definitely relay that message of modernization and the lack of religious symbolism shows the breaking away of all forms of oppression. It shows borrowing from the history and reestablishing society.