Final answer:
The French Revolution is more accurately described as a liberal movement due to its focus on rights for a restricted group, constitutional change, and political reform rather than full democratic inclusion. The key principles of the revolution were Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity, which encompassed individual rights, equality before the law, and social unity, but fell short of granting universal rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
Spielvogel might argue that it is more accurate to say the French Revolution was a liberal movement rather than a democratic revolution because the changes it pursued emphasized themes of constitutional monarchy, individual rights, and the protection from tyranny in favor of a smaller group of the population, rather than extending democracy to all inhabitants. The revolution was motivated by Enlightenment ideas and sought reforms rooted in ideals of natural rights, but it did not fully establish universal suffrage. Meanwhile, the three main principles of the French Revolution slogan 'Liberty, Equality, Fraternity,' relate to: Liberty, the ability to act without undue governmental interference; Equality, the state of being equal in rights and before the law; and Fraternity, the spirit of camaraderie and brotherhood among citizens.
The ideals of natural rights inspired the French Revolution, yet in practice, the rights extended to women and the lower classes fell short of these ideals. France was one of the last Western powers to grant women voting rights, indicating a gap between revolutionary ideals and reality. The liberal movement aimed at political reform and stabilization, seeking a balance between Enlightenment ideals and social stability, often emphasizing a restricted electorate to property owners.