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The FRENCH REVOLUTION

The FRENCH REVOLUTION. Quick Review Chapter 10. Summery. This is generally considered the model for all revolutions It has given us our modern ideologies and our political geography of “left” and “right”

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The FRENCH REVOLUTION

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  1. The FRENCH REVOLUTION Quick Review Chapter 10

  2. Summery • This is generally considered the model for all revolutions • It has given us our modern ideologies and our political geography of “left” and “right” • Unlike the American Revolution that was considered an accomplished successful fact, the French still debate the significance and meaning of the French Revolution to this day.

  3. Summery • What were the causes and phases of the revolution and how did it develop through the Napoleonic Era? • Focus on • 1. What were the interacting factors that brought about this revolution? • 2. What were the accomplishments of each phase of the revolution? • 3. How and why did the revolution become more violent after 1791 • 4. To what extent did Napoleon uphold the ideals of the French Revolution?

  4. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION

  5. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Overview • What factors keyed the Revolution: political, social, intellectual, and or the overall legacy of the revolution? • This grabbed Europe as France was by far a leading power on the continent and was only behind Russia in terms of population • Center of the Enlightenment era and was relatively well governed

  6. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Social Causes– YOU MUST KNOW THE ESTATES!! • The Three Estates (social inequalities) • First Estate: Clergy (less than 1% or 100,000) • Was a significant social, economic and political force that controlled 10% of the land and collected tithe of about 3-5% of individual income • Many in an era of increased secularism resented the clergy • Second Estate: Noble (2% or about 400,000) • Owned about 25% of the land • There was an ability for wealthy third estates to move up to second estate(often by purchasing a government office) • Right to hunt common lands, monopoly on government and military leadership, separate courts, and distinctive dress)

  7. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Social Causes • The Three Estates Middle class, merchants as well as the peasants) • Third Estate ( about 98% --24 million) varied from the wealthiest merchant to the few serfs or landless laborers left in France • Their place (Bourgeoisie and merchants) increased their position and numbers significantly • Sans-culottes (“without breeches” which is what the well to do wore) favored equality and established a radical role in in the Revolution • Peasants were the largest social class and desired freedom from service obligations taxes tithes and feudal dues that could eat away over 50% of their livelihood • France’s inequality is taken to be the most fundamental cause of the revolution

  8. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Political Causes • The resurgent nobility and the movements of an ABSOLUTE monarchy was the fundamental political cause of the revolution. • French admired the monarchy but wished it evolved along English lines • The parliament, Bill of Rights, etc. • Wanted to limit Bourbon goals of absolutism so nobles sought and created a parliament of 15 regional law courts to check the kings ability to tax and legislate arbitrarily • One example was the Letters de Cachet which allowed the king to arrest and imprison any individual without judicial procedures. • This went directly against the ideas of Enlightenment

  9. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Political Causes • Louis XVI and his Austrian wife Marie Antoinette acted as a symbol of for the people’s discontent • Louis XVI had trouble consummating his marriage and Marie had a promiscuous reputation that created scandal and ridicule form the people

  10. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Intellectual Causes • Enlightenment didn't’t cause the Revolution but its ideas focused the masses discontent • Voltaire and Rousseau established a system to express grievances • Many people created outlandish stories and scandals of the royal family and put them to press • People can figure out what's going one • John Lock social contract and natural rights • France puts you in an estate • Do we need a government with Checks and Balances?

  11. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Economic and Financle Causes • The French STATE could not adjust to global economic changes • Between 1714-1789 French commerce expanded 10 fold (faster than Britain) however that wealth was unequally distributed • There was an outdated tax structure and the wealthy had earned many exceptions and it varied greatly from area to area

  12. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Economic and Financial Causes • Louis XVI realized the dire need for tax reform (as ½ of the taxes were skimmed off from the tax collectors themselves; FARMERS GENERAL) • Need to pay for the monarchy’s depts. from a number of wars • American war for independence • French treasury was bankrupt and 50% of the budget went to interest payments • France had zero in taxes for 1st and 2nd estates everyone else pays the rest… People are starving and now need to pay more..

  13. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Economic and Financial Causes

  14. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Summery • By 1787 the situation was desperate • France was on the verge of bankruptcy and reform was stalled • At the start of the revolution France faced sever crop failures and led to the high price in Bread– Sent crowds to the streets in protest • The American Revolution gave the French confidence that the most powerful monarchy could be overthrown. • Louis had little choice but to call the ESTATES GENERAL

  15. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Liberal Phase (1789-1791) • Only considered liberal from the outside perspective of what was to come later • Before the meeting of the Estates General Louis XVI asked the French people to write down their grievances in notebooks (CAHIERS DE DOLEANCES) • Is this enlightenment or absolutism? • Most wanted moderate tax equalities and an end to feudalism • Everyone was expecting a change

  16. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Liberal Phase (1789-1791) • As the Estates Generals meet two disagreements emerged • 1. Whether to double the number of delegates to the third estate • 2. Whether they should vote as individuals (heads) or orders with each of the three estates getting one vote • The first was really irrelevant without the 2nd. ABBE SIEYES argued that the 3rd estate was the assembly and will of the nation and that the noble caste could simply be abolished.

  17. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Liberal Phase (1789-1791) • June 17th 1789 Unable to reach agreement the third estate declares itself the NATIONAL ASSMEBLY • They get locked out and then take the TENNIS COURT OATH • Fall of Bastille • Lafayette is head of the National Guard • King orders the other 2 estates to recognize the National Assembly and sit with them • They then end the Feudal system and establish the DECLERATION OF RIGHTS OF MAN (enlightenment principles)

  18. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Liberal Phase (1789-1791) • Angry over high bread prices again and fearing the King’s opposition the the Declaration of the Rights of Man • Women march to Versailles and bring back the royal family to Paris • Confiscate Church lands and issue paper currency, ASSIGNATS, based on value of the land which results in rapid inflation • Pope condemns the revolution and requirement that bishops would be paid by the church and under the CIVIL CONSTITUTION OF THE CLERGY required all priest to swear an oath t the revolution • Completes a Constitution in 1791 • Creates a single legislative body and a constitutional monarchy

  19. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Liberal Phase (1789-1791) • King attempts to flee in disguise • Captured and brought back to TUILERIES PALACE • The people gather to demand the King be overthrown • Lafayette disperses the crowd (killing 50) • Citizens join clubs to discuss the events • Jacobins Club (produces some of the most important leaders in the RADICAL PHASE

  20. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • THE RADICAL PHASE 1792-1794 • Why did it become more RADICAL after 1792? • 1. Economic Problems– Rapid inflation continued and Laissez-faire policies of the revolution angered workers but high policies directed against union activity • 2. The Royal family– The king had reservations about the revolution such as Civil Constitution of the Clergy. As well as the king attempting to flee the revolution • 3. Counterrevolution– Some actively opposed the revolution– Nonjuring clergy (those who would not swear allegiance), religious peasants • 4. War – tends to radicalize politics. France declared war in 1792

  21. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • THE RADICAL PHASE 1792-1794 • August 1791 the Austrian emperor (brother of Marie Antoinette) and the Prussian king issue DECLARATION of PILLNITZ promising to restore order in France if other nations provided support. • The GIRONDINS emerged with the belief the only way to save the revolutions was to spread it across Europe. • France declares war on Austria (believes France will lose and thus his power would be resorted because the people will see they need him) • War goes badly for France and the Girondins are ripe to be persecuted by the revolutionaries.

  22. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • THE RADICAL PHASE 1792-1794 • August 10th the Second French Revolution: an armed mob invades Tuieries Palace and arrests the King and a radical National Convention is elected to France • Fearing that political prisoners would ally with the Austrian-Prussian army thousands are massacred • The National Convention then abolishes the monarchy and declares France a Republic with the year 1792 year 1 of the new era • King is placed in trial for treason and executed by the guillotine and the REIGN OF TERROR begins • War continues on with the slogan: Liberty egalite, fratenite

  23. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • THE RADICAL PHASE 1792-1794 • The Sans-culottes arrest and execute leaders of the Girondins. The Mountain (faction of the Jacobins) controlled by MAXIMILIEN Robespierre dominates the Convention (government) • France is ruled by the Committee of Public Safety • Robespierre had served in the national assembly and earned the nickname “The Incorruptable” • Equal voting rights for all males • Ending of all capital punishment (That didn’t last long)…

  24. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • There is an uprissing against the COMMITTEE OF GENERAL SECURITY • In VENDEE France a group starts a counterrevolution against centralisizing and anti-Catholic policies being created in Paris • Robespierre is taken prisoner and exectuted as the war turns bad • Moderates • 1794-1799 • Stop riots and lower bread prices (land peace and bread) • What did the radicals bring? Nothing • Napoleon– general from nowhere Coup d etat “Emperor of France”

  25. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Napoleon • Napoleonic code • Good from French perspective • Freedom of religion and press, public school for all.. Not elites • Invested money in France into France– canals and roads • Napoleon is too ambitious • Cant go to England nor Russia • Russia scorched and burn villages so Napoleon could not replenish supplies • Napoleon is defeated at battle of Waterloo

  26. Causes of the FRENCH REVOLUTION • Effects • Spread of ideals of democracies • Growth of Nationalism • Most people associated with localities they were from but Napoleon brought a larger sense of self– Imperialism and World Wars

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