The French Revolution

1. The French Revolution Chapter 22, Section 3 The Radical stage of the revolution

2. After the Constitution of 1791… • The bourgeoisie had brought about many changes during the first phase of the revolution • Ended special privileges, limited the king’s powers • Some people felt the revolution had gone too far...but some felt that it had not gone far enough. • What followed is now described as the second stage, or the radical stage of the revolution.

3. The Royal family flees... • Marie Antoinette makes plans for their escape to the Austrian Netherlands. • They attempt to flee June 20, 1791. • Arrested and forced to return to Paris. • King Louis XVI lost any remaining support that he had from the people of France.

4. The Sans-culottes… • After the King tries to flee, radicals want France to become a republic. • Many urban workers became radicals • Among these radicals are the sans-culottes • Wage earners and small shopkeepers • So far, the urban workers had gained fewer benefits than the bourgeoisie and the peasants. • They wanted more control in the government, high wages, lower food prices, and an end to food shortages. • Some bourgeoisie saw this as a threat, others capitalized on the opportunity to become leaders of the radicals.

5. War with Austria and Prussia… • The French worried that Austria might help the émigrés start a counterrevolution and bring back the Old Regime • They decided to strike first – declared war on Austria • Prussia joined Austria and they both invaded France • During the war, a new, radical government took over – the Commune

6. Execution… • The Commune had the king arrested • They also got rid of the National Assembly and created the National Convention • All adult males could vote for the national convention – not just taxpayers • The National Convention felt that the king and his family were traitors and a threat to the revolution • They voted to have the king executed by guillotine • Marie Antoinette was executed a few months later

7. Back to the war… • The war started to go better for France – they kicked out the Prussians and Austrians • They invaded Austrian Netherlands • Other countries got nervous • Britain and Spain joined with Austria and Prussia • Now France was being overwhelmed and food was running out

8. Jacobins and Girondists… • Two factions within the National Convention • Jacobin – More radical, led by Robespierre • Girondist – More moderate • Both groups led by members of the Bourgeiosie • Jacobins used the crisis in France as an excuse to have Girondist leaders arrested • Jacobins created the Committee of Public Safety

9. Dictatorial Government… • Committee of Public Safety had almost unlimited power • Robespierre was its leader • Their job was to feed the hungry, stop enemy troops, and get rid of opponents of the government • They created a draft to build up France’s army • They created the largest army in the history of the world – over 1 million soldiers

10. The Reign of Terror… • Robespierre and the Jacobins decide to get rid of anyone who criticizes their government • They begin jailing and executing people • Committee of Public Safety executes between 20,000 and 40,000 people • The trials were a unjust – No proof was needed to sentence someone to death; just a rumor was enough to get the guillotine • When the French realized they had gone too far, they blamed Robespierre • Robespierre was executed on July 28, 1794

11. After Robespierre… • The reign of terror ended and the Jacobins were driven from power • A new government called the Directory was created • Made up of five men • Mostly represented the Bourgeoisie • They were a weak government • Ruled for about five years – until the end of the French Revolution