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Radicals and the French Revolution

In this lesson, students will be able to define the following terms:

Committee of Public Safety

Maximilien Robespierre

Reign of Terror

The Significance of the Revolution

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Other divine right rulers were threatenedby the French Revolution. These rulers

attacked France.

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French radicals gained control of thegovernment. Radicals feared attempts

to restore the Monarch’s absolute power.

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Committee of Public Safety

• The new French government formed the Committee of Public Safety.

• This Committee took over the French Revolution. It was led by Maximilien Robespierre.

• The Committee launched a Reign of Terror in 1793 to save the Revolution.

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The Reign of Terror tried to save the French Revolution from foreigninvasion and domestic protesters.

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Execution

• Suspected traitors, including nobles and priests, were executed.

• Many aspects of the Old Regime, from the calendar to clothing styles, were rejected by the new government.

• Ordinary citizens were armed to defend France.

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Power beganto shift back

to moremoderate

leaders whenthe threatof foreign

invasion passedand France tired

of internal violence.

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Significance of the Revolution

• The French Revolution challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and the privileges of the nobility in Europe.

• Political power in France shifted from the king and his nobles to the bourgeois class.

• The revolution removed feudal restrictions from France, clearing the way for capitalism.

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Both the American and the French revolutions served as models for citizens in other countries seeking

political change.

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The ideals ofthe Frenchrevolutioninspired

citizens inother countries.

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One important result of the French Revolution was that

1- France enjoyed a lengthy period of peace and prosperity 2- the church was restored to its former role and power in the French government 3- political power shifted to the bourgeoisie 4- France lost its spirit of nationalism

Which statement is a valid generalization about the immediate results of the French Revolution of 1789?

1- the Roman Catholic Church increased its power and wealth 2- the revolution achieved its goal of establishing peace, democracy, and justice for all 3- the revolution had little impact outside France 4- the French middle class gained more power

Can you answer these questions about the French Revolution?

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The Frenchbourgeoisieor middle

classgained power

due to theFrench

Revolution.

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It was a revolution

that changedthe course

of worldhistory.

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Questions for Reflection:

• What was the Committee of Public Safety?

• Who was Maximilien Robespierre?

• What were the goals of the Reign of Terror?

• Why did power pass back to the moderates?

• What was the significance of the French Revolution?