The French Revolution

1. The French Revolution

2. Roots of Liberalism • Judeo-Christian and Greek roots • Enlightenment Foundation • Locke’s Notion of the Rights of Englishmen • Liberalism does not equal what Americans mean by “liberal” • Classical liberalism supports a system of laws • No one is above said law – direct opposition to an autocratic, absolutism system

3. Liberty is not the same as equalityLiberty Equality • The notion of individual human rights • A new type of government in which the people are sovereign • The importance of a representative assembly • The importance of a written constitution • The notion of self-determination • Freedom to accumulate property • Equality of rights and civil liberties • Equality before the law • No special privileges for the rich • Equality of opportunity • “Careers Open to Talent” • Inherent tension between liberty and equality

4. “A Dual Revolution” = Modern Era • The French Revolution was the inaugural European revolution • The French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution together transformed the western world • This “Dual Revolution” changed everything politically, socially and economically • Triumph of European states and economies globally

5. “The Atlantic Revolution” • French Revolution was a part of a whole series of revolutions which took place beginning in the late 18th century --Political agitation in England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland and the American colonies (not just North American, either) • One big movement of revolutionary agitation

6. British North America • Landmark idea of “All Men are Created Equal” • Realities of this thought much different (slaves, women, non-landowners, etc) • The significance of the American constitution • The influence of the American Revolution on other revolutions

7. Central and South America • Independence from Spanish rule • Simon Bolivar, the father of Latin American independence • Despite “liberating the colonies” there was a continued dominance of the white minority • The abolition of the slave trade is set in motion --United States abolished this trade in 1808

8. The French Revolution • More fundamental and profound consequences than the American Revolution • France = most powerful and populous state in Europe (~25 million people) • Massive social revolution • Worldwide impact • Becomes model for future revolutions –think about why this might be as we move forward through our studies

9. Origins • Began as a revolt of the aristocracy • Attempt to capitalize on the financial woes of the monarchy • Breaking down the Absolutist system set up by Louis XIV and his ministers • Only solution = tax reform and a direct tax on all property • Aristocracy refused and forces the issue

10. The Estates-General • An old feudal assembly that had not met since 1614 • Three Estates: • Clergy – 1st • Nobility (or aristocracy) – 2nd • All Others (peasants, professionals, artisans, etc) – 3rd • The significance of the voting procedure • 1st and 2nd estates, by numbers about 2 – 3% of population had a majority of votes in E-G • The miscalculation and lack of social awareness of the aristocracy

11. The Third Estate Who were they? • Third Estate was dominated by the middle class or bourgeoisie (boug-wah-zhee) • Blurring of aristocratic and bourgeois classes by 1789 • Old money v. New Money • Overall -Middle class would come out to be winners through revolution • Revolutionary goals of the middle class inspired by Enlightenment

12. An Agenda of Classical Liberalism • For bourgeoisie, a representative government did not mean democracy or “mob rule” • Estates-General became the National Assembly in June of 1789 with the power to frame a constitution • Locked the 3rd estate out of the discussion • 3rd estate vowed to not go unheard - “Tennis Court Oath” (6/20/1789)

13. Revolutionaries in the Streets Who were they? • “Sans-culottes” (without knee britches) • Picked up the ideas and slogans of the Revolution from the more educated leadership of lawyers and journalists

14. What were the Motivations of these Revolutionaries? • Poverty and Hunger • Low wages and fear of unemployment • Heightened expectations and the exposure to a political perspective -- “Cahiers” • Strong dislike for and distrust of the wealthy • The role of conspiracy

15. A Case Study: Storming the Bastille • Events of the night of July 13, 1789 • Reasons for the attack on the Bastille the next morning • The stubbornness of the governor of the fortress • Celebrations on the night of July 14th • Sparks tremendous popular revolution all over France

16. The Great Fear • Independent revolutionary agitation in the countryside • Rumors of Royalist troops becoming wandering vandals • Fear breeds fear and peasants start marching • Within 3 weeks of July 14, the countryside of France had been completely changed

17. Declaration of the Rights of Man—August 27, 1789

18. The Court Returns to Paris • Mounting unemployment and hunger in Paris in the fall of 1789 • March to Versailles • “October Days” • “The point is that we want bread!” • Women nearly killed the Queen • The Royal Family forced to return to Paris on October 6, 1789

19. The Consolidation of the Liberal Revolution • Events from October 1789 through September 1791 • Abolition of the French nobility as a legal order • Constitutional Monarchy established • Economic centralization • Nationalization of the Church • Stage set for subsequent civil war

20. Meanwhile…Popular Political Mobilization • Revolutionary Talk • More than 500 new newspaper • Oath of Loyalty • motto -“Liberte, Equalite, Fraternite!” • Revolutionary symbols • Revolutionary Clubs • The Jacobins • Girondins (other club, less radical)

22. Growing Radicalism • Reasons: • Snowball Effect • Unsatisfied Expectations • Outbreak of war against France by outside forces • Results: • Increasing Violence • Change in Political Leadership

23. Robespierre: Reign of Terror • Jacobin that formed his own sect within the club – • “The Mountain” with lawyer, Georges Danton • Creates the Committee of Public Safety • Works in the concept of “Total War” for the revolution • More socialist • Maximum price ceilings on certain goods • Nationalization of small workshops

24. The Reign of Terror (cont.) • Under Robespierre’s reign: • Execution of 40,000 “Enemies of the Nation” – many were from 3rd estate • Stressed radical definition of equality – forcing it upon the people of France • Wanted a legal maximum on personal wealth • Wanted a regulation of commercial profits • End of Robespierre’s dictatorship on July 28, 1794 when his followers turn against him

25. The Directory and Napoleon Bonaparte • The Directory (1794-1799) • Bourgeois return to order • Focus on upper middle class desires • Suppression of other members of 3rd estate • A call to rationalism (some say too far) • Thermidorian calendar • Suppression of any faith • Through Directory - Napoleon’s Rise to Power • Things to come under Napoleon: • The Napoleonic Code • Establishment of the Bank of France • Reconciliation with the Catholic Church - Concordat of 1801 • Heavy Censorship • Napoleon’s “Art of War”

26. Legacies of the French Revolution • A revolutionary “model” • Rise of mass political consciousness • Varying interpretations of the Revolution • Conservative View: Edmund Burke • Liberal View: Thomas Jefferson • Conflict within the Liberal Tradition • Raised the question of “Libertarianism” vs. “Egalitarianism”