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French Revolution. “Revolutions cannot be made with rosewater.” - Nicolas De Chamfort. “The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” -Thomas Jefferson. French Revolution. How would you define an unjust government?
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French Revolution “Revolutions cannot be made with rosewater.” - Nicolas De Chamfort
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.” -Thomas Jefferson
French Revolution • How would you define an unjust government? • What, if anything, would lead you to take part in a violent revolution?
Main Idea • Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime helped cause the French Revolution
Why It Matters Now • Throughout history, economic and social inequalities have at times led peoples to revolt against their government • Can you think of any modern examples of this?
Causes • 1774 – Louis XVI becomes king and inherits all of his grandfather’s problems • Serious debt due to foreign wars and reckless spending • What foreign war?
Thinking back to the video, what were some of the characteristics of Louis XVI?
Causes • Marie Antoinette aka Madame Deficit was also a big spender • Gambled the equivalent of $1 million/year • Lavish parties, fashions, hairdos • Had a life sized peasant village constructed – life as a queen was stressful, so every now and then she went to her retreat and acted like a peasant • Village was called Hameau de la Reine – The Queen’s Hamlet
Causes • Palace at Versailles • Truly one of the most extravagant structures in the world
Causes • French people were unhappy with the class system (Estates) in France
Causes • First Estate: 1% Clergy • Second Estate: 2% Nobility • Third Estate: 97% Peasants, Artisans and Bourgeoisie (middle class) • Paid all of the taxes
Looking at the Estate System in pre-revolutionary France, why does this pose such a threat?
Reaction • King Louis XVI knew it was his role to try to quell the concerns of the people • He summoned the Estates General (meeting with all three estates) • Eventually the Third Estate was locked out of the Estates General because they had too many disputes
Reaction • The Third Estate renamed themselves the National Assembly and had their own meeting • Met at a tennis court and took the Tennis Court Oath: • “We won’t stop meeting until France has a new constitution”
Beginning of the Revolution • The National Assembly had fears that the king would try to squash their rebellion… • So, what do you need to resist a king and his army?
Beginning of the Revolution • Revolutionaries stormed the Bastille (prison and storehouse for weapons) • This marks the beginning of the French Revolution
New Constitution • The National Assembly wrote The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen (French Constitution)
New Constitution • Influenced by American Declaration of Independence • “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” • Equality, freedom of speech, protect against unlawful arrest • Limited royal powers, but kept the monarchy
New Constitution • The king refused to accept the new constitution, but the people forced him to • Stormed the palace in Versailles and forced the king to move to Paris and to accept the new constitution
New Constitution • The king tried to escape to Austria, was caught, accused and tried with going against the liberty of the nation • Found guilty and was executed
Revolution Continues • The monarchy was no more, but the revolution was far from over
Revolution Continues • Disputes within the government • Two very different political parties emerged
Revolution Continues • Jacobins: led by Robespierre; defenders of the revolution • Girondists: believed the revolution had gone far enough; wanted to protect wealthy and middle class
Revolution Continues • Created the Committee of Public Safety (12 men) • Initially, the COPS was created to protect France from foreign attack, but it soon turned into a chaotic civil war: Royalists VS Revolutionaries
Reign of Terror • Heads really start to roll… • Jacobins take over and set out to crush all opposition, led by Robespierre and COPS
Reign of Terror • Suspected traitors guillotined • 40,000 executed in this period
Reign of Terror • Leaders within the COPS feared Robespierre and were afraid they were on his “list” • They executed him before he could get to them
Revolution Dwindles • New constitution written • Executive council of five men (The Directory) • 2 house legislature • Appeared weak and people didn’t like it
Enter Napoleon • After any revolution, a country struggles getting back on its feet • Because France was so vulnerable, they willingly allowed a powerful leader to step in: Napoleon
One of the greatest legacies was the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen • Written by the National Assembly • Your job, read through the document • First, highlight/underline all of the rights outlined in the document. • Second, choose which one of those rights you think is the most important and explain why. • Finally, what other events, eras, or documents does this remind you of?
On your green document write this: • Citizens can challenge an unjust government • Influenced by Athens’ democracy