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The French Revolution!

The French Revolution!. Social Class in France. Prior to the Revolution, France was made up of three estates: 1 st Estate - Clergy .5% of population Owned 10% of land 2 nd Estate – Nobles 1.5% of population Owned 25% of land 3 rd Estate – Commoners 98% of population Owned 65% of land

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The French Revolution!

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  1. The French Revolution!

  2. Social Class in France • Prior to the Revolution, France was made up of three estates: • 1st Estate - Clergy • .5% of population • Owned 10% of land • 2nd Estate – Nobles • 1.5% of population • Owned 25% of land • 3rd Estate – Commoners • 98% of population • Owned 65% of land • PAID ALL TAXES!

  3. Causes of the Revolution • Economic Pressures on Third Estate • 3rd Estate paid all taxes • Prices were on the rise – particularly bread • Absolutism • King has absolute authority • National Financial Crisis • Poor harvests; high unemployment • Assisting U.S. Revolution drained French treasury • King & Marie’s spending • Influence of Enlightenment • Rousseau / Locke!

  4. The Beginnings of Revolution • With France facing bankruptcy in May 1789, King Louis XVI looked to raise taxes. • Needed approval from Estates General • Parliament • Each estate received one vote • 1st and 2nd estates always voted (2-1) in favor of raising taxes on the 3rd estate! • Claiming the Estates General was unfair, the 3rd Estate formed their own parliament – the National Assembly – in protest! • To prevent them from meeting, Louis XVI locked them out of the meeting rooms. • Met on Tennis Courts instead. • June 1789 – Tennis Court Oath • Swore not to disband until a new constitution was written!

  5. The People Revolt! • July 1789 - French citizens storm the Bastille in search of weapons. • Paris’ royal prison and armory. • Seen as symbol of oppression of monarchy. • August 1789 – National Assembly issues the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen • Statement of the principles of the revolution!

  6. Attack on the King! • Louis XVI refused to endorse the declaration or submit to any of the National Assembly’s demands. • October 1789 - Parisian women marched to, and stormed, Versailles. • “Bread March” • Capture Louis and Marie. • Force them to Paris.

  7. A New Constitution? • Two years pass while National Assembly writes Constitution. • Looking to establish “Constitutional Monarchy” • Limited kings power; laws were made by the National Assembly. • June 1791 - Louis XVI & family attempted to flee France • Caught near the French-Austrian border. • Brought back to Paris; forced to sign new Constitution. • Fall 1792 - it was clear the new Constitution was not working. • France declares war on Austria, are paranoid that the revolution will fail.

  8. The National Convention • September 1792 – National Convention is called to draft another Constitution. • Dominated by two groups: • Girondins • More conservative; wanted Constitutional Monarchy. • Jacobins • More radical; Wanted France to become a republic. • Jacobins dominate convention; France becomes a republic! • December 1792 – Fearing his betrayal, the republic decided Louis must not live. • King executed January 1793

  9. The Revolution Gets Radical • Reacting to the execution of Louis, a coalition of nations prepared to invade France and end the revolution. • Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the Dutch. • Why? • Spring 1793 - The Committee of Public Safety is created. • Dominated by Maximilien Robespierre • Goals: • Protect France from invasion • Establish Revolutionary Army • Ensure success of Revolution • Eliminate individuals who put its success at risk.

  10. The Reign of Terror • Spring 1793 to July 1794 – Reign of Terror • Thousands are killed or arrested in name of keeping Revolution alive. • 17,000 killed • Guillotine • 200,000 arrested • Robespierre passed policies to create a “Republic of Virtue” • New Titles • Education Changes • Price Controls • De-Christianization • Revolutionary Calendar

  11. The End of the Terror • Summer 1794 - Revolutionary Army had defeated the foreign invaders. • July 1794 - National Assembly arrested and executed Robespierre. • Was too radical and violent. • Revolution then takes a more conservative turn. • French Republic eventually ended in 1799 by Napoleon Bonaparte. • Becomes absolutist leader!

  12. Legacy of the Revolution? • Enlightenment ideas spread around Europe and the New World. • Absolutist reaction all over Europe. • Kings become MORE absolutist in order avoid revolution. • Inspire other later revolution. • Appeal of violent social upheaval – especially in New World.

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