FRENCH REVOLUTION (1789 – 1799)

Reading Focus • What caused the French Revolution?• What happened during the first events of the

Revolution?• How did the French create a new nation?

Main Idea Problems in French society led to a revolution, the formation of a new government, and the end of the monarchy.

The Revolution Begins

Preview For centuries, the quality of life in Europe had been

determined by the status that one held. This status could not be attained, but was instead determined by the family to which someone was born. If you were born to a poor family, your life would be one of poverty. No matter how hard an individual worked, it was impossible to rise above this fate.

The wealthy enjoyed a life of ease, comfort, and recreation. Day after day, they pursued the pleasures of European society, while 97% of Europe’s people struggled just to survive.

This gap between the wealthy and the poor created resentment. Those at the bottom saw the wealthy grow increasingly richer, while they got nothing.

Background to the Revolution

1776 – America Rebels

Then in 1776 something unthinkable happened. A group of people at the bottom of society rebelled against those who were at the top, and what was more remarkable, they won. The British Colonies in America declared their independence and then enforced it by beating back the most powerful military on Earth.

This sent shockwaves throughout Europe. And gave hope to many poverty stricken peasants, who wanted to see the powerful aristocracies of Europe fall. If America could do it, why couldn’t they. Why couldn’t they rebel, and create a new, more fair society

Interactive Map of the French Revolution and Napoleon http://my.hrw.com

http://www.worldology.com/Europe/napoleonic_wars_imap.htm

Causes of the RevolutionLong-standing resentments against the

monarchy

Inequalities in society Existing social and political structure Called the Old Order, or ancient régime

King at the top and estates under him King Louis XVI, shy and indecisive Unpopular, self-indulgent queen, Marie-

Antoinette Rest of French society divided into three

classes, called estates

The French Estates

Nowhere was the divide between the wealthy and poor greater, than in France. The French Aristocracy were among the wealthiest individuals in all of Europe. They controlled vast tracts of land, huge amounts of money, and had power that was unchecked by a Parliament as in Great Britain.

The poor in France were suffering greatly. They had been abused, mistreated, and ignored. They had been forced to work on the estates of the wealthy, with very little pay, and in terrible conditions. They were starving, sick, dirty, tired, and growing more resentful with each passing year.

French society was divided into three separate castes known as estates. The first estate was made up of priests, and religious leaders. Those belonging to this estate occupied the highest level in French society.

The second estate was made up of the nobility. The third and lowest estate consisted of everyone else, over 97% of

the population of France.

Varied widely in what they contributed in terms of work and taxes

•Roman Catholic clergy

•One percent of the population

•Exempt from taxes•Owned 10 percent of the land– Collected rents

and fees from the land

– Bishops and other clergy grew wealthy

First Estate•Nobility•Less than 2 percent of the population

•Paid few taxes•Controlled much wealth

•Held key positions– Government– Military

•Lived on country estates

Second Estate•Largest group—97% of the population

•Bourgeoisie—city-dwelling merchants, factory owners, and professionals

•Sans culottes—artisans and workers

•Peasants—poor with little hope, paid rents and fees

Third Estate

The Three Estates

Turmoil And Unrest In France In 1774 Louis XVI a 19 year old prince came to the

throne as the King of France. His 18 year old wife was named Marie Antoinette.

King Louis XVI inherited a massive amount of debt from his predecessors.

He further increased the debt of the French Government by supporting the American Revolution in its fight against France’s bitter rival, Great Britain. King Louis XVI became desperate to raise funds to pay off the debts of France.

In order to pay of these debts, he decided that we would tax the first and second estates, which had always been exempt from paying taxes before.

These estates refused to pay the new taxes.

Estates – General

In 1789 King Louis XVI summoned a group known as the Estates-General to meet in Versailles to discuss the matter of taxes.

The Estates-General was a body of people representing each of the three social estates in France. They had not been called together since 1610.

King Louis XVI hoped that by calling them together they could solve the problems of debt facing the nation.

The Estates-General had other plans however. They wanted to use the meeting to take power from the King, and address the social ills that they felt were plaguing them.

King Louis XVI and Marie Antionette

• Severe economic problems affected much of the country

• France in debt, spending lavishly, borrowing money, and facing bankruptcy

• Hailstorm and drought ruined harvest; harsh winter limited flour production

• People hungry and angry; clergy and nobility no help

A Financial Crisis

• Inspiring new ideas from Enlightenment philosophers

• Great Britain’s government limiting the king’s power

• American colonists rebelled successfully against British king

• New ideas changed government and society in other countries

Enlightenment Ideashttp://www.mrdowling.com/705french.html

Further Causes

Causes of the Revolution

What were the causes of the French Revolution?

Summarise:

Answer(s): inequalities in society, Enlightenment ideas, poor leadership, financial crisis, hunger and cold

By 1789, no group happy

• Clergy and nobility lost power to monarchy

• Bourgeoisie resented regulations

• Poor worse off Storming of the Bastille

• King brought in troops• People of Paris armed

themselves• Searching for weapons, a mob

stormed the Bastille

Estates General meets • Desire for reforms• Voting process a problem• Third Estate proclaimed

themselves National Assembly• Tennis Court Oath

Great Fear spread• King to punish the Third Estate

with foreign soldiers • Rumors of massacres• Peasants destroyed records and

burned nobles’ houses

First Events of the Revolution

A French Constitution

Members of the Estates-General representing the third estate outnumbered representatives from both the first and second estates combined. If each representative were to be given one vote, the third estate would have more votes, and would be able to get their wishes passed. In order to insure this did not happen King Louis XVI locked representatives of the third estate out of the meetings.

Outraged, they met at a nearby indoor tennis court, where they gave themselves the name of The National Assembly. Here representatives took an oath that they would not leave until they had written a new constitution for France.

King Louis XVI worried about the form this constitution would take, if it were to be written strictly by members of the third estate. He ordered representatives from the first and second estates to join the National Assembly.

A Revolution Begins

As the National Assembly met to write a new constitution, their debates often spilled out into the streets of Paris. Soon everyone in the Capital was debating the social ills of France, and what form a new government should take.

Fearing the feeling of unrests that was quickly expanding throughout the capital, King Louis XVI placed troops throughout the capital city, as well as around the palace.

Seeing this troop build up, many of the supporters of the National Assembly worried that the King planned to use these troops to put an end to the National Assembly, and to the reforms they were making.

In order to defend the National Assembly, rioters attacked the Prison of Bastille, where weapons and ammunition were stored. In this battle, a number of rioters, and soldiers were killed. The rioters were able to gain control of the prison, and establish a new radical government in Paris.

The Great Fear

Rumours were spread that the feudal lords had hired robbers to murder peasants. This rumour was not true, but it flamed fear, that lead to the peasants uprising against their local lords.

Between June and the beginning of August there were riots in the countryside.

Peasants broke into manor houses, killed many of the nobles, and took possession of their properties. They burned monasteries and buildings which housed public records. They particularly targeted documents which contained records of their feudal obligations.

This wave of violence is known as The Great Fear.

The Great Fear

burning chateaux as the peasants riot in the countryside

What was the connection between the fall of the Bastille

and the Great Fear?

Identify cause and effect

Answer(s): the fall of the Bastille, people were terrified that the king would punish them.

The Declaration of Rights

As violence continued to spread throughout the countryside, members of the third estate demanded equality for all citizens of France. Members of the first and second estates held out, refusing to grant equal rights, and refusing to give up the special privileges that they had enjoyed for so many centuries.

The continued violence finally convinced them that they had no choice but to give up, and submit to the will of the much larger third estate. On August, 4th, 1789 the National Assembly passed a number of important reforms that abolished feudal dues, and established taxes on members of the first and second estates.

The National Assembly then turned their attention towards creating a bill of rights for their people. This Declaration of Rights included the freedom of speech, the freedom of the press, and the freedom of religion. It also protected citizens from being falsely arrested. This Declaration of Rights remains in the French Constitution to this day.

King Louis XVI Moves To Paris The National Assembly presented their new reforms,

along with the Declaration of Rights to the king, who refused to acknowledge them. This lack of support from the king greatly angered many of the people in France, who were anxious to see a new era in freedom and equality. These people demanded that the king not only acknowledge these new laws, but also that he move to Paris, with his family in order to show his support for the National Assembly.

In October of 1789 King Louis XVI finally consented to move to Paris from Versailles, after having his palace surrounded by an angry mob, threatening to attack.

A New French Government Is Created After passing a new reforms, and forcing the king of France to

accept them, the National Assembly began the process of setting up a new government, including writing a constitution.

By 1791 this constitution was ready. It kept the monarchy, but limited its royal powers. It also established a legislature, which would be elected by the people. This new constitution granted equal rights to all men, who could vote, so long as they paid a tax.

In order to pay off the national debts which had been accumulated by earlier kings, they confiscated the lands owned by the Catholic Church, and sold them. They demanded that Catholic priests take an oath of loyalty to the French government, and that priests be elected by local parishes, and not appointed by the Church. These actions angered Pope Pius VI, and caused him to condemn the revolution

Royal Family Flees France

In June of 1791 King Louis XVI, fearing for the lives of himself, and his family, attempted to escape into Austria. Marie Antoinette’s brother was the emperor of Austria. They hoped that once in Austria, they would be safe.

Their attempt failed however, when they were recognized along the road by a passerby, who called for soldiers to have them arrested. Returned to Paris the king, and his family had no choice but to accept any demands put upon them by the people, and to remain in his home as a prisoner.

France Declares War On Austria In 1792 France declared war on Austria. They worried

that Austria would attempt to reinstate King Louis XVI on the throne, and felt that they had to act to defend their new republic.

Austria was soon joined in the war by Prussia, and Sardinia. This war had devastating effects on France. Food shortages, and poverty ran rampant throughout France, and threatened to tear the country apart.

Just as it looked like the armies of Prussia and Austria would defeat France, the French armies pulled off a stunning victory at Valmy, a city less than 100 miles away from Paris.

This victory boosted the morale of French troops, and turned the tide of the war.

A Republic Is Born From 1792 through 1795 a National Convention met

in Paris to further define the new form the French Government would take. They decided to completely do away with the monarchy, and establish a republic. They also granted the right to vote to all men, regardless of whether they could pay their taxes or not.

In 1792 King Louis XVI was tried before the National Convention, where he was found guilty of having conspired against the liberty of the nation. In January of 1793 he was put to death by the Guillotine.

News of the death of the king was received with great joy and celebration throughout Paris, and throughout France. This was seen as a great moment, and as a guarantee that the revolution would now go forward.

• Louis tried to protect his throne• Angered the common people• Prices still high; mob broke into

the palace demanding bread • Royal family seized; National

Assembly took bolder steps• Passed laws against the

church, clergy, and public employees

• Some outraged by actions

Restrictions on Power• Feudal dues eliminated• Declaration laid out “liberty,

equality, fraternity”• Inspired by the English Bill of

Rights, American Declaration of Independence, and the writings of Enlightenment philosophers

• Men are born equal and remain equal under the law

• The rights did not extend to women

Legislating New Rights

Creating a New Nation

French revolutionary troops won the Battle of Valmy. New French republic held ground against Europe’s Old Order.

In 1791, the Legislative Assembly is formed. Citizens gained broad voting rights, but rights were not universal. Constitution restricted power of king and ended distinctions of birth. King and queen feared they would be harmed.

• Austria and Prussia warned against harming monarchs

• Austrian army defeats French• Financial strain of war, food

shortages, and high prices • King blamed; action demanded

Foreign Powers

Formation of a New Government

• August 10, 1792 royal family imprisoned by mob

• Radical faction took charge with National Convention

• Monarchy abolished; France declared a republic

End of Monarchy

What steps did National and Legislative Assemblies take to

create a new nation?

Sequence

Answer(s): National Assembly completed constitution and created Legislative Assembly; Legislative Assembly—created a new legislature, the National Convention, which abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic

A Revolution In Trouble

Monarchs throughout Europe were concerned about the events that had taken place in France. The natural order that had existed for centuries had been disrupted. They worried that the same thing could happen in their own nations, and that their own thrones, and even their lives might be at risk.

To avoid the revolution spreading into their own nations, these monarchs joined together to fight against France. Soldiers were sent from Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sardinia to fight against the revolutionaries in France.

This war made life very difficult in France. In order to fight these large armies, the new French government established a draft, and called up all men between the ages of 18 and 45 to fight for their liberties. This draft touched off a civil war in Western France, where royalists who had supported the king were angry that their sons had been forced to fight in a way that they did not support.

Within the National Convention, fierce debate and a growing divide among different political parties threatened to tear the young fragile government apart.

The Reign of Terror Seeing the turmoil that was both within and surrounding France the

leading political party known as the Jacobins determined that they would crush any resistance within their new nation. They established neighbourhood watches that were intended to find anyone who was not loyal. These watches would turn in suspected traitors, who would often be put to death.

This period of time is known as The Reign of Terror, and lasted from July of 1793 until July of 1794, during which approximately 17,000 individuals were executed.

After the reign of terror ended, the Jacobins lost their power in France. The National Convention continued to rule as the government, however, a new constitution was written, which once again denied the right to vote to those who could not afford to pay a vote tax. This constitution established the office of five directors, known as the directory, who ruled France.

The directory ruled from 1795 until 1799. During this time they used the army to put down a number of disputes within France. Once again, the rich began to grow wealthier, while the poor had very little. The same old problems that had begun the revolution once again began to creep into France. The new government was also running out of money to pay their civil employees, and to carry on the process of governing the nation.

Napoleon Bonaparte

Napoleon Bonaparte

During the revolution in France one general in particular began to outshine all the others. This general was a 26 year old by the name of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Napoleon’s skilful leadership helped to crush rebellions within France, and also greatly expand the territories of France, including a surprising victory over the more powerful Austrian army.

In October of 1799 Napoleon returned to Paris, after having been in Egypt with his armies, to take part in a coup d’ etat, or an overthrow of the government.

In 1804 Napoleon named himself as emperor of France, and had himself anointed as such by the Pope.

Napoleon was a masterful ruler. He established a number of reforms that brought peace and stability back to France. He also rewrote the old French feudal laws, which were confusing, creating a new Napoleonic Code of laws that were much clearer. Many of these laws remain in France to this day.

Revolution Key People

http://www.sparknotes.com/history/%20european/frenchrev/terms.html

Bibliography

http://www.historywiz.com/greatfear.htm

http://www.kidspast.com/world-history/0370-french-revolution.php

http://my.hrw.com http

://www.worldology.com/Europe/napoleonic_wars_imap.htm

http://uzar.files.wordpress.com/2010/01/napoleon.jpg