Modern History 112: Learning Objectives · Jean Paul Marat (1743 –1793) •Jacobin supporter of the Revolution •Published a radical journal Friend of the People •Inspired and

Modern History 112: Learning Objectives1.1 Causes of Revolutions Students will:

1.1.1 Identify and understand the general causes of revolutions: new ideas, social conflict, political factors, and economic conditions.

1.1.2 Know, understand and be able to explain the new ideas of The Enlightenment.

1.1.3 Analyze elements of social conflict in 18th century France.

1.1.4 Understand, and be able to explain, how and why France‘s Absolute Government functioned without the consent of the governed.

1.1.5 Comprehend the severity of economic conditions as contributing factors to the revolution.

The Feudal SystemA hierarchal socio-economic-political system that brought order to Europe during the middle ages and led to the establishment of kingdoms

The Age of

Absolutism

• 16th and 17th century Europe was dominated by Kings and royal families• England: Stuart

• France: Bourbon

• Germany: Hanover

• Austria: Hapsburg

• Russia: Romanov

• It was thought the absolutism brought stability to turbulent economic times

• People believed in the Divine Right of King’s• Monarchs held absolute power and only God could tell them what to do

• Obedience to the monarch was the same as obedience to god.

James I of

England1566- 1625

“Kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon the earth and sit upon God’s throne but they exercise a manner of divine power on earth”

Louis XIV1638 - 1715

“L’etat, c’est moi.”

- Louis XIV

Gardens were designed to demonstrate man’s domination over nature

The Hall of Mirrors at Versailles







Decline of Absolutism

• Scientific revolution led to new beliefs about the universe, new inventions

• People began reading more, thanks to Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press

• People began questioning things that had previously gone unchallenged

• This led to an intellectual movement called The Enlightenment(late 17th/18th Century)

• Society’s well-established power structures were challenged

What is Philosophy?

• Philo – love

• Sophy – knowledge

the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality and existence

Ancient Philosophers:• Socrates• Plato• Aristotle

The Debate over Absolutism

• Who were the major enlightenment philosophers and what were their thoughts and beliefs about government?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Baron de Montesquieu

• Voltaire

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Debate over Absolutism Assignment

• Complete the chart

• Consider the arguments and beliefs of each philosopher, particularly:

1. What type of the government did they favour?

2. Why?

• This can be completed by hand or electronically. MS Word version available on wetmore.weebly.com

• Due on Monday, February 12th







French Society

• Since Medieval Times France’s population had been divided into Three Estates

• This was called the ancien regime

• The 1st Estate – the Clergy

• The 2nd Estate – the Nobles

• The 3rd Estate – The Commoners• Peasants

• Bourgeoisie

1. Which group has the most people?

2. Which group owns the most land?

3. Which group pays the most taxes?

4. Which groups pay no taxes?

5. What problems could such inequality create?

Keep in mind that the population of France near the end of the 18th century was about 28 million

1. What is this cartoon trying to say?

2. What do each of the people represent?

3. What does the rock represent?

4. Who do you think created this cartoon?

Reading: Modern Western Civilization (1991)

Secondary Source Questions: Textbook excerpt

1. Describe the relationship between religious institutions and the government?

2. How did one find membership in the 2nd estate?

3. Describe the sub-groups that made up the 3rd estate?

4. What was the Estates-General?

Primary Source Questions: The Cahiers

1. Summarize what you think might be the most important issues for each group

2. Identify areas of agreement or possible alliance.

The Cahiers of the Estates General1st Estate – The Clergy• Supremacy of the church

• Voting rules

2nd Estate – The Noble• King has power to make laws

• Uphold freedom

• No tax without approval from the King

• People hold property rights

• Maintain the distinction of the 3 orders

3rd Estate – The Commoners• Uphold freedom

• Uphold property rights

• Tax laws should be subject to change

• Citizens from all classes should be taxed equally

The Tennis Court Oath – June, 1789

• The Third Estate faced political gridlock

• Unable to change the system, they decided to try and start a new system

• They declared themselves the National Assembly

• This got them barred from their regular meeting place

• So, they met in a nearby indoor tennis court and swore an oath to continue their meetings and draft a new constitution.

• Constitution - A legal document that outlines:• The basic rules for a government

• Assigns different functions to each level of government

• Makes clear the rights of citizens

• A cornerstone of democratic nations

Examples:• United States?

• Canada?

Hard Times

Economic Conditions were declining in the late 1780’s• Kings had spending problems: Wars, Versailles Extravagance

• This was financed by tax increases

• People had less money for goods

• Manufacturing declined

• Factories laid people off

• Poor Harvests resulted in high prices for grain

• Food shortages

• Starvation & riots

“ ‘Why, this is a revolt!’

‘No Sire, it is a revolution’ ”

- conversation between Duc de la Rochefoucauld-Liancourt and King Louis XVI

Storming of the Bastille – July 14, 1789

• The King was ready to use force against the 3rd Estate

• On July 14, a mob of about 900 invaded the Bastille, an old prison in Paris

• The released prisoners, killed guards and stole weapons

• Many of the guards joined the mob in the destruction

• The Bastille was destroyed and the king learned he could no longer trust royal troops

• Similar rebellions began to break out all over Paris and surrounding villages

• The Great Fear ensued.

Reactions of the National Assembly

• Inspired by the riots and in fear of a foreign invasion•Abolished privileges for the nobles and clergy•Adopted the declaration of the Rights of Man and

the Citizen (1789)• They later created a Constitution (1791) for a

constitutional monarchy

The Downfall of Louis XVI

The Paris Commune• By 1792 the threat of foreign invasion seemed

eminent

• The Economy was failing to improve

• Some still wanted to restore the monarchy

• Radical elements banded together to create The Paris Commune

• Sans-Culottes – without breeches were the dominant force

• Violence was widespread, they ended up raiding the Royal Palace and taking the King (and family) Prisoner

The Legislative Assembly and Political SpectrumMembers of National Assembly vote themselves out of power, Legislative Assembly is created

• Political Parties are formed

• Jacobins – most radical, want monarchy totally abolished and the king executed

• Cordelier – Not quite as radical, but mostly agree with the Jacobins

• Girondins – Mildly conservative. Hope that the Monarchy can eventually be restored

• Feuillant – Most conservative. Support Monarchy as long as monarchy supports constitution

• Independents – deputies that refused membership in any party (The Plain)

The Fate of the King

• The Legislative Assembly held a National Convention where they passed a decree condemning King Louis XVI to death

• He was executed, along with Marie Antoinette on January 21, 1793

• Arguments between Jacobin and Girondins factions intensified and progress on writing a constitution was halted

• Riots and violence became increasingly common place, they became apparent a total lack of order in society.

Jean Paul Marat (1743 – 1793)

• Jacobin supporter of the Revolution

• Published a radical journal “Friend of the People”

• Inspired and defended the September Massacres of 1792• 1200 prisoners in Paris were murdered

because of fear that they would be freed to join Royalist forces that were trying to suppress the Revolution

• He was murdered by Girondin Charlotte Corday while in his bathtub.

Maximillien Robespierre 1758 – 1794

• Political Radical

• Lawyer & Jacobin

• Nickname: “The Incorruptible” b/c of his reputation for integrity

• Called for a “Republic of Virtue”

• Intolerant of others’ opinions

• Created the “Committee for Public Safety” and led the “Reign of Terror”

The Radical’s Arms – By British Cartoonist George Cruikshank

• How does this cartoon reflect the British perspective on the French Revolution?

The Reign of Terror

• The Committee for Public Safety was created to take control of the government and protect the revolution from domestic threats

• Maximillian Robespierre, a Jacobin led this committee

• Over the course of roughly a year 20,000 people were suspected of opposing the revolution and executed, predominantly with the guillotine.

• As the revolutionary army defeated foreign threats there was less need for vigilance within France, but Robespierre became obsessed with ridding France of all corrupt elements and creating a Republic of Virtue

• Eventually, those who had feared Robespierre too much to oppose him decided to take a stand having him condemned and executed, thus ending the Terror.

The Directory• After the reign of terror conservative and moderate ideas gained

prominence

• Elections were held and two legislative houses were created• Council of 500• Council of Elders

• Members were elected to these houses by the public

• A committee of 5 men was appointed – The Directory

• Economic problems persisted, particularly the cost of war with enemies of the Revolution

• The Directory relied on the military support to keep from being overthrown

• Until, they were overthrown by a military

The Stages of a political revolution can be compared to a fever

1. Incubation Stage

2. Symptomatic Stage

3. Crisis Stage

4. Convalescence

How can the French Revolution be described along the lines of this model?

Documents

Modern History 112: Learning Objectives · Jean Paul Marat (1743 –1793) •Jacobin supporter of the Revolution •Published a radical journal Friend of the People •Inspired and