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The French Revolution The Liberal Phase 1789-1791. It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was an epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…… Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”.
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It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was an epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity…… Charles Dickens “A Tale of Two Cities”
Madame Deficit The Austrian Whore “Let Them Eat Cake!”
Land Ownership by Social Classes on the Eve of the French Revolution Land in France owned by Clergy Nobility Bourgeoisie Peasantry each group 6-10% 20-25% 30% 40-45% Socio-Economic Data
Land Ownership by Social Classes on the eve of the French Revolution Land in France owned by Clergy Nobility Bourgeoisie Peasantry each group 6-10% 20-25% 30% 40-45% Each Group as a Percentage Clergy Nobility Bourgeoisie Peasantry of the Population 2% 1.5% 8.4% 82-87% Socio-Economic Data
1788- 50% 1789- 80% The French Urban PopulationPercentage Spent on Bread
Urban Commoner’s Budget Food 80% Rent 25% Tithe 10% Taxes 35% Clothing 20% Total 170% Kings Budget Interest 50% Army 25% Versailles 25% Coronation 10% Loans 25% Admins. 25% Total 160% Financial Situation in France, 1789
Only the peasants generally paid the Taille. Nobles were exempt from the tax along with some members of the bourgeoisie and the clergy. The church did give a free gift to the crown annually but it was less than the state would have gotten with the regular tax. The privileged classes saw taxes as a sign of inferior status. Taxes- The Taille
Louis XIV John Law Maupeou Turgot Necker Calonne French Finance Ministers
He proposed that a general tax on all landowners without exemption A lightening of indirect taxes Abolition of internal tariffs to stimulate economic production Confiscation of some Church Properties A representative assembly in which all landowners, noble clerical, bourgeois, and peasant should be represented without regard to estate or order. Calonne
Expressed general agreement on most of Colonne’s proposals Exceptions Estates would each have one vote They refused to agree to a land tax that was to be unlimited in amount and duration. They demanded that the King open his accounting books for public scrutiny. Assembly of Notables
A deadlock followed and Louis dismissed Calonne. Archbishop Lomenie de Brienne was appointed to replace Calonne. Brienne tried to push the same package through the Parlement of Paris, which rejected it. They stated that only the Estates General had the power to change tax laws. Louis XVI’s Reaction
Nobles revolted Army officers refused to serve Intendents hesitated to act Noblemen begin to form Committees of Correspondence On July 5, 1788 Louis XVI announces that the Estates General will meet the following May. Louis XVI encouraged the various classes to elect representatives to draw up a list of grievances. Consequences
Hundreds of political pamphlets appeared. Many of the pamphlets demanded that old system in which the three estates sat in separate chambers. Each chamber voting as a unit should be done away with. The third estate was always outnumbered. In September the Parlement of Paris ruled that the Estates General would meet and vote as in 1614 in 3 separate chambers.
They wanted a Constitutional Monarchy Personal liberty for All Freedom of the Press Freedom from arbitrary arrest and Confinement Some were even willing to give up their tax exempt status. They wanted the Estates General to meet regularly. Nobility Demands
“What is the Third Estate?” Rousseau’s ideas entered the Revolution. Class antagonism made peaceful reform impossible Bourgeoisie class went into a radical and destructive mode. Abbe Sieyes
The harvest was very poor. The price of Bread was the highest since the days of Louis XIV. Depression was wide spread, as was unemployment. Harvest of 1788
Labor riots break out all over France. The largest was at a Wall Paper plant in Paris. Peasants in the rural areas declare that they will no longer pay memorial dues and other taxes. Unemployment was widespread. The people lost their homes and the number of vagrants was of terrifying proportions. The economic and social crisis had become acutely political. April of 1789
The Suggested Voting By Estates 1 Clergy First Estate 1 Nobles- Second Estate 1 Commoners Third Estate
The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote By Commoners Third Estate 300 Clergy First Estate 300 Nobles- Second Estate 648
A June 13, 1789 few priests leave the first estate and join the 3rd Estate June 17, 1789 The Third Estate declares itself the National Assembly June 20, 1789 The National Assembly takes the “Tennis Court Oath” Timeline
The National Assembly, considering that it has been summoned to establish the constitution of the kingdom, to effect the regeneration of public order, and to maintain the true principles of monarchy; that nothing can prevent it from continuing its deliberations in whatever place it may be forced to established itself; and, finally, that wheresoever its members are assembled, there is the National Assembly; decrees that all members of this Assembly shall immediately take a solemn oath not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established and consolidated upon firm foundations; and that, the said oath taken, all members and each one of them individually shall ratify this steadfast resolution by signature. “The Tennis Court Oath”
The king submits a reform proposal of his own, but it is too late. The National Assembly refuses to back down. The king failed to enforce his command to have the 3 houses meet separately. Summoned 18,000 Swiss troops to Versailles. He chooses to back the Nobles because of pressure from his wife, brothers and nobles at court. The Reaction by Louis XVI
He recognized a Citizen Committee He sent away the foreign troops Commanded the nobles and clergy to join the National Assembly He established a National Guard led by Marquis de Lafayette. The Bourbon flag was taken down and replaced by the red, white and blue French Flag. What’s a king to do?
The Bourbon Family Flag The white of the Bourbons +, the Red and Blue of Paris The Citizens The Flags
Rumors begin the Brigands were Coming. Peasants gather together to protect their homes and crops. They often attacked Manor homes burning them or simply destroying the papers on which dues or fees were disclosed. They thus destroyed the Manorial Regime by force. The Great FearJuly 1789
August 4th- 11th Decrees The Renunciation of the old Aristocracy and Feudalism Equality and Meritacracy The National Constituent Assemblies Liberte’ Egalite’ Fraternite’
August 26th, 1789 The Declaration of the Rights ofMan and Citizens
