The French Revolution1789-1799

Lower and middle classes were dissatisfied with society

The third estate paid all the taxes.

France’s king was an absolute monarch

He ruled by divine right (the idea that God gave him the right to rule)

People like Locke and Rousseau challenged this idea

Too many wars caused financial problems in France

In 1789 a meeting was held with representative from all three estates

The third estate had more representative (more people in this class), so they wanted a national assembly with each representative having one vote

They also wanted a Constitution

They met and refused to disband until a Constitution was written

The assembly passed two decrees in 1789 – they limited advantages of upper class and provided basic rights to all people

They also wrote a constitution and re-organized the Catholic Church in France

When the first new National Assembly took over they had many challenges◦Louis XIV wouldn’t cooperate and they were engaged in wars

In 1792, Louis XIV was removed from power, imprisoned, and then executed

After Louis XIV was executed the Jacobins took over

The Jacobins governed France by taking away civil rights and freedom

18,000 people received death sentences

The period became known as the Reign of Terror

However, the Jacobins also followed democratic principles and extended rights to everyone

Eventually the Jacobins were overthrown and replaced with a new government

Unrest continued until Napoleon seized control of the government in 1799

Other European monarchs worried about their power

Laid the foundations for a unified state, strong central government, and a free society dominated by the middle class

Inspired other people to seek democracy and independence

(ex. In Latin America)