The French Revolution

1. The French Revolution The Roots of the Revolution

2. “Out of a Population of 20 millions of people… there are 19 millions more wretched (poor), more accursed in every circumstance of human existence, than the most conspicuously wretched individuals of the whole united states.” Quote from Thomas Jefferson

3. The Old Regime • The Old Regime is a term used to describe life how it used to be in France, before all the changes that the French Revolution brought about. • Under the old Regime, society was broken into 3 Estates • The Clergy, the Nobles, and the Bourgeoisie

4. The Clergy • The First Estate, they made up only about 1% of the French Population • The Church was EXTREMELY wealthy. • They higher clergy became greedy and ignored their spiritual duties. • They did not pay taxes, but collected taxes, rent, and fees, increasing their wealth

5. The Nobility • The 2nd Estate consisted of the Nobility. • They made up about 2% of the French Population • They paid few, if any taxes • Held highest positions in the government and army • Nobility was inherited by the eldest son. This included titles and lands.

6. The Bourgeoisie • The 3rd estate was the rest of the people. • They made up 97% of the French Population. • Some of them were upper-middle class. They included merchants manufacturers and the professionals. • However, the larger majority were very poor. They included city workers, artisans, and rural peasants. • Peasants were the largest group. • Even though they were the poorest, they paid the most in taxes. • On top of that, they paid rent for the land they worked and were forced to pay tithe to the church.

7. OCCUPY Wallstreet! Connecting to today

8. We are the 99% • Growing discontent erupted with the last year. • Protesters argue the growing disparity between the rich and poor. • In fact, they argue that the richest 1% are making loads of money, while the rest of the 99% are struggling. • The top 1% of the population make 23% of the total income made in the US

11. OCCUPY SLC

12. Growing Discontent Back to the French Revolution

13. Several Problems • Growing population, more mouths to feed • Food prices and taxes being raised • While the poor were getting poorer, the rich lived lavishly and had plenty to eat. • Bourgeoisie wanted political power, or at least a say in the taxes they were paying • Above all wanted Liberty and equality. (Enlightenment) • Decided to challenge the King’s power.

14. Financial Crisis • Extreme spending from the absolute monarchs made France broke. • Monarchs kept up with expensive habits while the 3rd estate was suffering • When Louis the XV was warned of his expensive habits, he proclaimed “It will survive my time. After me, the deluge.” • After a while, Louis XVI tried to taxes the first 2 estates, but they refused. • Louis the XVI married Marie-Antoinette, who became a hate symbol in France for her over-spending.

15. Marie-Antoinette • Married when she was 15, Queen when she became 19. • Known to spend thousands on dresses and hair accessories. • “Let them eat cake!” • Eventually prisoned and beheaded.

16. The Meeting of the Estates General • King Louis XVI called together the estates to help address problems. • The 3rd estate was fed up with being stepped on. • The 3rd estate declared itself the National Assembly when their demands were not met. • The beginning of the French Revolution • The National Assembly would not stop until a written constitution was adopted in France.

17. The French Revolution The Revolution Begins

18. The Spread of the Revolution • The National Assembly meets. • Being Cautious, King Louis XVI moved troops into Paris and Versailles • The National Assembly, fearing that they would be driven out by force, decides to take action • On July 14,1789 they capture the Bastille Prison. • They loot it for weapons, and then destroy it. • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poh1_WxNGng

19. The End of the Old Regime • Now with more power, the National Assembly outlawed the tithe, canceled all feudal dues and services owed by peasants • Essentially, doing away with feudalism in France.

20. The Declaration of the Rights of Man • Document that dealt with basic human rights and political powers • “all men are born equal” • Freedom of speech, press, and religion • “Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity!” • Specifically meant for men.

21. Olympe de Gouges • A Playwright • Part of the Revolution • Believed that women should be included in equality. • Wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizenesses. • The Leaders of the Revolution rejected it.

22. The Constitution of 1791 • National assembly drafted a constitution for France • Divided government into 3 branches, judicial, executive, legislative • Making a constitutional Monarchy, kept King intact, but limited his powers. • King could no longer make or block his own laws • Tax-paying males voted members into the Legislative Assembly • Louis XVI reluctantly agreed to new powers… however, secretly plotted with escaped nobles to restore old regime. • Louis the XVI eventually tried to escape France in disguise, but was recognized and sent back to Paris • King’s attempted escape marked a turning point. People no longer trusted the King

23. New constitution in action • New Constitution goes into effect. • Not very good, only lasts a year. • Weak executive branch, inexperience in democracy. • Differing attitudes: • Radicals –Assembly hasn’t gone far enough • Conservatives -Assembly has gone to far • Moderates- No extreme views. • On top of that War breaks out with Austria, shows the weakness of the current system. • In the end, Radical view prevailed and the monarchy needed to be ended, and a new government need to be instated.

24. Movie Continued! • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5mKZtMc2ng&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSeHJDBfD6U&feature=related

25. The French Republic

26. The National Convention • National Assembly meets again to discuss where to go from here. • Delegates are elected through Universal Manhood Suffrage • The Radicals who led the debate • Danton, Robespierre, and Marat • National Convention tried Louis XVI for plotting against the security of the nation • Found him guilty and sentenced him to death

27. Opposition • Many other European Monarchs found the French Revolution terrifying and took steps to keep it from spreading • Even people of the former Bourgeoisie disliked the radical nature of the Revolution • They were called counterrevolutionaries • However, those who spoke out against the radicals were arrested.

28. Assassination of Marat • Marat is assassinated by Charlotte Corday • Stabbed him while he was bathing • Was her attempt to stop an all-out Civil War

29. Death of Marat

30. The Reign of Terror

31. “It is necessary to annihilate both the internal and external enemies of the republic or perish with its fall” Robespierre

32. Reign of Terror • Those even suspected of being apart of the counterrevolution were executed • Targeted the old nobility, but also punished ANYONE who was seen as disloyal • During the Reign of Terror, twice as many bourgeoisie were executed compared to nobility. • This included Olympe de Gouge • Danton, former radical, believed the reign of terror had met its goal in stopping the counterrevolution • Robespierre accused him of being disloyal and had him beheaded. • Lasted from September 1793 to July 1794

33. Reign of Terror • Finally, a few members went against Robespierre and had him beheaded. • Radicals lost power • Feeling of unrest led to a favorable return to a monarchy • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2CbxmxyW9CQ&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-g-GD3ucbPo&feature=related&safety_mode=true&persist_safety_mode=1&safe=active

34. Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte