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The French Revolution and the Rise of Secularism

The French Revolution sparked a rise in secularism, challenging the power of the Church and promoting equality and rights for citizens. This article explores the key events and outcomes of the revolution.

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The French Revolution and the Rise of Secularism

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  1. The French Revolution and the Rise of Secularism

  2. Troubles brewing • Enlightenment ideas led to Age of Revolution • Social class divisions were leading to increased economic and social unrest • Little to no upward mobility

  3. Divisions in the social pyramid for Church and State mirrored and overlapped one another King Pope Cardinals Aristocrats Bishops Lords Priests Knights People Peasants

  4. Classes of Men • Society split into Three main legal groups (Three Estates) • Clergy • Split b/w wealthy powerful clerics and majority of poor parish priests • Nobility • Increased power after Louis XIV died • blocked attempts to reform economy • Commoners (two economically divided groups) • 97% of population • Wealthy middle class (bourgeoisie) – bankers, lawyers, merchants, etc. • Poor urban workers and rural peasants • Paid all the taxes to fund nation • Clergy, nobles, and bourgeoisie exempt from taxes

  5. Monarchy • Louis XVI was awkward, clumsy and insecure • hard time relating to people – appeared unfeeling • His wife (Marie Antoinette) was also unpopular • spent a lot of money • was Austrian • Money spent on lavish lifestyle and foreign wars • Gov’t was bankrupt • Tried to make reforms • Good intentions but politically weak • Nobles blocked him at every turn

  6. Anger at the Clergy • Seen as having a hand in oppression • Clergy depended on nobles for positions and wealth • Gave approval and support to the massive wealth of nobility • Some clergy (like Vincent de Paul) dedicated themselves to serving poor • Majority were loyal to and served the monarchy • Monarchs’ rule justified by “divine right”

  7. Estates General • Council made up of all three estates • called to fix debt problem • all members wanted reform • Nobles didn’t want to lose power or prestige • Third estate fed up with being overlooked • Led by a clergyman, declared they represented the majority in France • Proclaimed itself the “National Assembly”

  8. National Assembly • Nobles rejected National Assembly • Pressured Louis to suppress them • Louis had Assembly locked out of meeting hall • Assembly then moved to a nearby tennis court

  9. Tennis Court Oath • Taken by National Assembly • They would not disband until a new constitution was drafted. “We swear never to separate ourselves from the National Assembly, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the realm is drawn up and fixed upon solid foundations.” • Louis legalized National Assembly • But then brought in 20,000 troops to Versailles and Paris

  10. Revolution Turns Violent • Food shortages in Paris • Led to riots – poor, starving commoners demanding food • Looted stores and warehouses • Storming of the Bastille • Medieval fortress and prison for political prisoners • Symbol of everything about the monarchy they hated • 100 peasants killed, 6 soldiers killed as well as the governor • Assembly set up “National Guard” to restore order

  11. Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (1789) • Declared all men to be created equal • Rights to liberty, property, security, vote • Religious tolerance – as long as it does not disturb public order • Embodies principles of Enlightenment

  12. Civil Constitution of the Clergy (1790) • Assembly becomes increasingly radical • Desired to bring church inline with the revolution • Secularism: Religious considerations excluded from public life • This idea was supported increasingly by average person • Desired to reduce power of the church and control it • State ownership of church land • Reorganized parishes and reduced number of diocese • Citizens would elect bishops and priests • State paid wages for clergy • Clerics were required to take an oath to the Constitution

  13. More Radical Actions • Those who didn’t take oath (nobles and clergy) were seen as disloyal/disturbers of the peace • Many arrested or forced into exile • September Massacre 1792 • Revolutionaries kill 1,200 prisoners (200 were priests) • Seen as counter-revolutionaries

  14. From Bad to Worse • Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette executed in 1793 • Commoners still plagued by food shortages and rising prices • Begin to doubt the revolution • Revolutionaries took more radical measures against dissent

  15. Reign of terror • Leaders sought to wipe out all opposition • Executed nearly 33,000 people • De-Christianization • Monasteries and churches vandalized and looted • Many priests and nuns were killed • Eventually revolutionary leaders killed each other off

  16. Outcomes of French Revolution • Church wasn’t eliminated • Taken off their high pedestal in society • Not nearly as powerful as it had been • Church and State become separate • Created society where people are seen as citizens and have rights

  17. Homework • Do you think the ideas/ideals of the French Revolution are still visible in our society? Explain. • Were these developments positive or negative? Explain

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