Stages of a Revolution

1. Stages of a Revolution Examples from French Revolution

2. Crane Brinton, The Anatomy of a Revolution • Every revolution begins with the problems of the Old Regime • 1st stage = increasing dissatisfaction with the Old regime, spontaneous acts of protest and violence, overthrow • 2nd stage = honeymoon with moderate new government • 3rd stage = takeover of the extremists, loss of individualism, the government becomes violent and excessive • 4th stage = reestablishment of some sort of equilibrium, rights, etc., usually under a “strongman”

3. Example of a Metaphorical Representation: FEVER MODEL OF REVOLUTION Much like an illness, revolutions can also be studied in stages

4. French Revolution

5. This stage in an illness is when the cause of the sickness first comes into contact with the individual, infecting them, but not yet causing any symptoms to present themselves. What would this stage be like in a revolution? In a revolution, this stage would involve the political, social, intellectual, or economic causes. In some cases, these causes could fester for many years before showing themselves in the form of actual revolutionary action.---CONDITIONS FOR A REVOLUTION

6. Conditions for a Revolution ---wealth and power are distributed unequally ---severe economic problems ---a group of intellectuals criticizes the government ---the government uses it power to maintain the status quo and repress dissents ---the classes of people are in conflict, and the most ambitious are blocked from gaining power ---different groups want different changes ---people obtain weapons in a fairly large amounts ---ideals are easy for people to believe in and become the slogan/war cry • Estates System • France on brink of bankruptcy • Enlightenment Philosophes-Voltaire and Diderot jailed; banning and burning of books • Abbie Sieyes and “What is the Third Estate?” • Bourgeoisie---Most Ambitious • Nobles wanted to protect tax-exempt status • Storming of the Bastille • Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity

7. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity The French Revolution Play Marseilles Detail From Triumph of Marat, Boilly, 1794 (Musee des Beaux-Arts)

9. Conditions---Government under the Old Regime:The Divine Right of Kings • Monarch ruled by divine right • God put the world in motion • God put some people in positions of power • Power is given by God • No one can question God • No one can question someone put in power by God • Questioning the monarchy was blasphemy because it meant questioning God

10. What the King Did

11. A Financial Crisis • Severe economic problems affected much of the country • France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy • Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production • People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help • Conditions of a Revolution---Economic Problems

12. The Financial Crisis • The government of France, however, was bankrupt and was facing a serious financial crisis. • The crisis resulted from: • An inefficient and unfair tax structure, which placed the burden of taxation on those least able to pay, the third estate • Outdated medieval bureaucratic institutions • A drained treasury which was the result of: • Aiding the Americans during the American Revolution • Long wars with England • Overspending

13. Economic Conditions under theOld Regime • France’s economy was based primarily on agriculture • Peasant farmers of France bore the burden of taxation • Poor harvests meant that peasants had trouble paying their regular taxes • Certainly could not afford to have their taxes raised • Bourgeoisie often managed to gather wealth • But were upset that they paid taxes while nobles did not

14. Conditions: France Is Bankrupt • The king (Louis XVI) lavished money on himself and residences like Versailles • Queen Marie Antoinette was seen as a wasteful spender • Government found its funds depleted as a result of wars • Including the funding of the American Revolution • Deficit spending – a government spending more money than it takes in from tax revenues • Privileged classes would not submit to being taxed

15. The Three Estates • Before the revolution the French people were divided into three groups: • The first estate: the clergy • The second estate: the nobility • The third estate: the common people (bourgeoisie, urban workers, and peasants). • Legally the first two estates enjoyed many privileges, particularly exemption from most taxation.

16. First Estate Second Estate Third Estate • Roman Catholic clergy • One percent of the population • Exempt from taxes • Owned 10 percent of the land • Collected rents and fees • Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy • Nobility • Less than 2 percent of the population • Paid few taxes • Owned 20% of the land • Controlled much wealth • Held key positions • Government • Military • Lived on country estates • Largest group—97% of the population • Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals • Sans culottes—artisans and workers • Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees • Paid all the taxes • Had no say in the govt Conditions of a Revolution: The Three Estates Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes

17. Conditions for a Revolution • Social Structure of the Old Regime • First and Second Estates • First Estate = clergy (130,000) • Second Estate = nobility (350,000) • The Third Estate • Commoners • Peasants = 75-80% of the population • Peasants own 35-40% of the land • Skilled artisans, shopkeepers, and wage earners • Bourgeoisie (middle class) • Own 20-25% of the land • Similarities between wealthier bourgeoisie and nobility

18. The First Estate • The first estate, the clergy, consisted of rich and poor.  • There were very wealthy abbots, members of the aristocracy who lived in luxury off of wealthy church lands. • There were poor parish priests, who lived much like the peasants.

19. The Second Estate • The second estate, the nobility, inherited their titles and got their wealth from the land. • Some members of the nobility had little money, but had all the privileges of noble rank. • However, most enjoyed both privileges and wealth.

21. The Nobility • With the exception of a few liberals, the nobility wanted greater political influence for themselves but nothing for the third estate.

22. Where is the Money? • In this cartoon from the time, Louis is looking at the chests and asks “Where is the tax money?“ • The financial minister, Necker, looks on and says “The money was there last time I looked." • The nobles and clergy are sneaking out the door carrying sacks of money, saying "We have it."

23. The Third Estate • The third estate, the common people, was by far the largest group in France. • Everyone who was not a member of the first or second estates was a member of the third. It included: • Wealthy merchants, whose wealth rivaled that of the nobility • Doctors and lawyers • Shopkeepers • The urban poor • The peasants who worked the land.

24. Conditions: The Three Estates

25. What does this contemporary political cartoon say about conditions in France under the Old Regime?

26. The Old Regime • This cartoon from the era of the French Revolution depicts the third estate as a person in chains, who supports the clergy and nobility on his back. The Third Estate

27. The Three Estates

28. Conditions of a Revolution: The Old Regime The people in French society were not treated equally. The system of feudalism in France was known as The Old Regime. Citizens were divided into three classes or estates.

29. The Three Estates

30. Conditions of a Revolution: Causes and Attitudes • The Enlightenment • Anglophile feeling in France • The American Revolution • French system’s lack of change • Louis XVI clung to Absolutism • King’s response to the poor • Class resentment • Economic problems

31.  The Enlightenment movement spread ideas everyone should be equal. The people of the 3rd estate liked that idea. Conditions of a Revolution: Why revolt? The French economy was failing. Taxes were high, profits were low and food supplies were short. King Louis the XVI was weak and unconcerned about the plight of the third estate.

32. Louis XVI • Louis XVI was an awkward, clumsy man who had a good heart but was unable to relate to people on a personal level. • He often appeared unfeeling and gruff. • He was insecure and seems to have disliked being King of France. • When one of his ministers resigned, he was heard to remark, "Why can't I resign too?"

33. Marie Antoinette • Marie Antoinette, in her early years as Queen, was flighty and irresponsible. • She spent huge amounts on clothes, buying a new dress nearly every other day. • Being Austrian, she was terribly unpopular in France and had few friends.

34. The French Royalty • The royal family lived in luxury at the Palace of Versailles. Play Vivaldi’s Four Seasons Hall of Mirrors

35. The Palace of Versailles • The King and Queen of France lived in luxury and splendor at the magnificent Palace of Versailles outside of Paris.

36. Conditions of a Revolution: Louis XVI attempted to tax the nobles. The nobles forced the king to call a meeting of the Estates-General an assembly of delegates from each of the three estates.

37. Calling the Estates General • The King attempted to solve the financial crisis by removing some of the nobles' tax exemptions. • However, the nobility saw themselves as special, with better blood, and entitled to all of their class privileges. • The Parlement, a judicial organization controlled by the nobility, invoked its powers to block the King's move. • He was forced reluctantly to call a meeting of the Estates General in 1788.

38. The Estates General • When the Estates General met, each estate solemnly marched into the hall at Versailles. • The third estate dressed all in black, the nobility dressed in all their finery, and the clergy dressed in full regalia.  

39. To Vote by Head or by Order • The delegates of the third estate insisted that the three orders meet together and that the vote be taken by head, rather than by order. • Since there were far more delegates from the third estate, this plan would give them a majority. • The King refused to grant their request. • The third estate refused to budge. 

40. This stage in an illness is when sickness starts to affect the person in observable ways. Temperature may rise. A cough might present itself. The individual might become weak and queasy. What would this stage be like in a revolution? In a revolution, this stage would be the first to involve direct action resulting from the social, political, intellectual, or economic causes of the incubation stage. This stage might involve the publication of works calling for a change, street level riots by the common people, or more direct attempts at changing the society.

41. Second Stage: Critics of Old Regime • The first indication of rising discontent is the activity of writers who denounce existing conditions and satirize common practices. The writers provide new goals and ideas. • Enlightenment Philosophes like Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot, and Rousseau • Abbie Sieyes and “What is the Third Estate” • Political Pamphlets in the Coffeehouses of Paris

42. Second Stage---Philosophy of the French Revolution: The Enlightenment (Age of Reason) • Scientists during the Renaissance had discovered laws that govern the natural world • Intellectuals – philosophes – began to ask if natural laws might also apply to human beings • Particularly to human institutions such as governments • Philosophes were secular in thinking – they used reason and logic, rather than faith, religion, and superstition, to answer important questions • Used reason and logic to determine how governments are formed • Tried to figure out what logical, rational principles work to tie people to their governments • Questioned the divine right of kings

43. Enlightenment Ideas • Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers • Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power • American colonists rebelled successfully against British king • New ideas changed government and society in other countries Critics-Second Stage

44. AAbbeSieyesAbAabbe Sieyes

45. What Is the Third Estate? • "What is the Third Estate?" asked Abbe Sieyes. "Everything!“ • This liberal clergyman rallied the commoners of France to assert their power and take charge of the Estates General. • At his suggestion, they declared themselves the National Assembly and invited the other two orders to join them. • The next day they found their meeting hall locked. • At the suggestion of one of the delegates they moved to a nearby indoor tennis court. 

46. Debating the Course of Action • There they debated their course of action. • Some wanted to return to Paris to the protection of the people. • Mounier, not ready to take such a revolutionary step, suggested instead that they swear an oath of allegiance not to disband until a constitution had been created for France 

47. Third Stage • Public dissatisfaction culminates in riots, assassinations, and other acts of violence. • Bread Riots in Paris • Storming of the Bastille • Great Fear • Women’s Bread March

49. Third Stage---Riots and Revolts • Events at Bastille • July 14, 1789 • Municipal government trying to get arms • Revolts in the countryside

50. Conditions in Paris • Conditions were poor in Paris for the common people. • The price of bread was high and supplies were short due to harvest failures. • Rumors spread that the King and Queen were responsible for the shortages • Then French troops marched to the capital. • Rumors spread quickly among the already restless mobs that the King was intending to use them against the people. • The dismissal of the Finance Minister Necker, who was popular with the third estate, ignited the spark.