The French Revolution1789-1799

What was happening around the world in1789 ?

It was the best of times, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of it was the age of foolishness, foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of it was the epoch of incredulity…incredulity…

-- Charles Dickens-- Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities A Tale of Two Cities

What were the causes of the French Revolution?

What were the causes?1. Three estates

– Unfair tax system – Social inequality

1st 2nd

Estate Estate

3rd Estate

1% of Pop.Owned 5-10% of LandReceived 10% TithePaid no taxes

2% of PopOwned 25% of landHeld all govt. and military positionsPaid no taxesReceived Feudal Dues

97% of PopulationPaid all of the taxesNo Voice in GovernmentInspired by Enlightenment Ideas

BourgeoisieArtisansPeasants

The Three EstatesWhat does the cartoon represent ?

What were the causes?

2. Enlightenment Ideas/American Rev.– Belief all men should have

natural rights– Right to overthrow an unjust

gov’t– Equality for all– American Revolution

• Dec. of Independence • Constitution

What were the causes?

3. King Louis XVI’s Weak Leadership 1)19 years old– 2)Indecisive– 3)I never – Wanted to– Be king !

The Necklace ScandalThe Necklace Scandal

1,600,000 1,600,000 livreslivres

[$100 million today][$100 million today]

Let Them Eat Cake! Let Them Eat Cake!

Y Marie Antoinette NEVER said that!Marie Antoinette NEVER said that!

Y ““Madame Deficit”Madame Deficit”

What were the Causes ?

4. Economic ProblemsWars: 7 Years War/French & Indian,

American RevolutionLouis XVI lifestyle

Economic DepressionCrop failuresUnemployment

Which of the following is not a cause of the French Revolution

1. Unfair class system

2. Unfair taxes

3. Ignoring the Magna Carta

4. Expenses from the American Revolution

5. Excessive spending by the King

The French Urban The French Urban PoorPoor

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% of Income Spent on Bread

1787

1788

This is an economic condition known as ?

a Urban Commoner’sUrban Commoner’sBudget:Budget:

– Food 80%Food 80%– Rent 25%Rent 25%– Tithe 10%Tithe 10%– Taxes 35%Taxes 35%– Clothing 20%Clothing 20%– TOTAL 170%TOTAL 170%

a King’s Budget:King’s Budget:– Interest 50%Interest 50%– Army 25%Army 25%– Versailles 25%Versailles 25%– Coronation 10%Coronation 10%– Loans 25%Loans 25%– Admin. 25%Admin. 25%– TOTAL 160%TOTAL 160%

Financial ProblemsFinancial Problemsin France, 1789in France, 1789

France’s Situation

• France’s Government is in extreme debt. Half of France’s debt is contributed to war, especially money owed for helping the US gain independence. The Government is near bankruptcy and the banks are refusing to lend money to the troubled country.

• Recent crop failures have caused a shortage in food, making famine a real possibility. Yet the newspapers publish stories about King Louis’ lash parties and his wife’s extreme spending habits. Assuming the role you were assigned on Friday, what would you do to solve the problems in France?

King Called the Estates General to “convince” the 1st and 2nd

Estate to pay taxes

What is the Estates General?

– Legislative body, similar to parliament– Had not met since 1614 ( 179 years!)– Made up of members from all 3 Estates– Each Estate has one Vote

Estates General Voting

1 Vote First Estate

Clergy

1 Vote Second Estate Nobles

1 Vote Third Estate

Commoners

Emmanuel Joseph Emmanuel Joseph SieyesSieyes

11stst What is the Third What is the Third Estate? Estate? Everything!Everything!22ndnd What has it been What has it been heretofore in the heretofore in the political order? political order? Nothing! Nothing!33rdrd What does it What does it demand?demand? To become To become somethingsomething therein! therein!

Abbé SieyèsAbbé Sieyès1748-18361748-1836

Situation

• . The Estates General has members from each Estate but each only has one vote regardless of the population. The Nobles and the clergy plan to force the third estate to pay even more taxes so they don’t have to. 2 votes against 1

• Is there another alternative?

Is There Another Alternative?

1 Vote per Representative

300 Members 1st Estate

300 Members 2nd Estate

648 Members 3rd Estate

Third Estate outvoted - what should they do?

• Established the National Assembly – a new legislative body– One vote per representative

– Members of the 3rd Estate, later joined by other estates

• Pledged the Tennis

Court Oath

• Marks the beginning

of the Moderate Phase

of the Revolution

What is the Tennis Court Oath?

• National Assembly’s pledge to write a new constitution making France a ____________________

What are the stages of the French Revolution?

• Moderate – people want change to constitutional monarchy

• Radical – people want an end to any form of monarchy; want a republic

• Reactionary – people want to return to Absolute Monarchy

What was the Spark?

• King Mobilized Troops • 3rd Estate feared King would dissolve the

National Assembly• The Spark:

The Bastille

is stormed

What is the Storming of The Bastille?

• Bastille – a prison where weapons and prisoners were held (Symbol of oppression)

• A mob charged the prison to steal weapons and free 7 prisoners

• 97 rioters killed• Symbol of French Independence

– July 14, 1789

What is the Great Fear?

• Rumors spread of nobles killing peasants and stealing property

• In Fear, the peasants armed themselves

• Peasants broke into Manors, robbed and destroyed

property

What Early Reforms did the National Assembly Make?

Dismantled feudal systemNo more Feudal dues

Nobles give up exemption from taxation

Abolished estatesCreated a new social contract for

France

What was the first social contract of France?

• Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (Aug., 1789)– Focus on Individual Rights

and equality – Influenced by the Declaration

of Independence

US Constitution and

English Bill of Rights

• King Louise did not accept

What was the March on Versailles?

• Protest by French Women• Food prices in France were soaring• Wanted King to move to Paris and accept the

National Assembly and Declaration of Rights• Wanted to see the problems in Paris

What was the Constitution of 1791?

Constitution of 1791•Constitutional Monarchy•Guaranteed basic rights•Property owning males could vote

What actions can citizens take against their government?

• Protest – a public demonstration of disapproval (ex. )

• Political action - Actions organized by citizens to bring about changes in law, or govt. conduct/policy

(Ex. )• Revolution - A radical change in political

organization, especially the overthrow of a government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed ( )

Which of the following was not a citizen action during the French

Revolution?1. Formation of the

National Assembly

2. March on Versailles

3. Civil War4. Storming of the

Bastille

Which of the following events is the symbolic beginning of the French

Revolution?1. Creation of the

National Assembly

2. Tennis Court Oath3. Storming of the

Bastille4. March on

Versailles

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

Which of the following events is the best example of a protest against the government’s

actions? 1. National

Assembly2. March on

Versailles3. Storming of the

Bastille4. Constitution of

1791?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

In which of the following events did citizens vow to write a new constitution?

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30

1. Constitution of 17912. Formation of the National Assembly3. Declaration of the Rights of Man4. Tennis Court Oath

Crane Brinton: The Course that Crane Brinton: The Course that Revolutions Seem to TakeRevolutions Seem to Take

1.1. Impossible demands made of government Impossible demands made of government which, if granted, would mean its end.which, if granted, would mean its end.

2.2. Unsuccessful government attempts to suppress Unsuccessful government attempts to suppress revolutionaries.revolutionaries.

3.3. Revolutionaries gain power and seem united.Revolutionaries gain power and seem united.

4.4. Once in power, revolutionaries begin to quarrel Once in power, revolutionaries begin to quarrel among themselves, and unity begins to among themselves, and unity begins to dissolve.dissolve.

5.5. The moderates gain the leadership but fail to The moderates gain the leadership but fail to satisfy those who insist on further changes.satisfy those who insist on further changes.

Did everyone like the new Constitution?

• Political Parties formed in the newly elected Legislative Assembly

• The assembly was seated by their political views• Political division led to unrest and violence

Left Center RightRadical Moderate Reactionary

•Support Republic •want major change

•Support Constitutional Monarchy•Want some change

•Support Absolute Monarchy•Want to return to the old way

The Political The Political SpectrumSpectrum

JacobinJacobinss

MontagnarMontagnardsds

(“The (“The Mountain”)Mountain”)

GirondistsGirondistsMonarchíeMonarchíe

nn

(Royalist(Royalists)s)

1790s:1790s:The PlainThe Plain

(swing (swing votes)votes)

TODAY:TODAY:

What is the flight of the nobles?

• Louis and Marie try to flee France, but are caught and returned to Paris.

• Émigrés (nobles, clergy an others) flee France and tell horror stories of the events there

• In fear that revolution will spread, European Monarchs condemn the revolution WHY ? and begin to mass armies against a possible French threat.

Why did France become a Republic?

• Strong Distrust of the King and Queen

• Austria, Prussia and Sardinia declare war on France – fearful that Revolutions will spread to their own country

• Radicals voted for the King’s imprisonment

What was the French Republic?

• A government without a King

• Constitution limits the power of the leaders elected by the people.

• Every man could vote

What happened to King Louis XV1?

• He was tried and executed

Louis XVI’s Head Louis XVI’s Head (January (January 21, 1793)21, 1793)c The trial of the king The trial of the king

was hastened by the was hastened by the discovery in a secret discovery in a secret cupboard in the cupboard in the Tuilieres of a cache Tuilieres of a cache of documents.of documents.

c They proved They proved conclusively Louis’ conclusively Louis’ knowledge and knowledge and encouragement of encouragement of foreign intervention.foreign intervention.

c The National The National Convention votedConvention voted387 to 334387 to 334 to to execute the execute the monarchs.monarchs.

What was the Reign of Terror?

• Beginning of the Radical Period of the Revolution

• Left Wing Radicals called Jacobins took control of the new Republic’s National Convention (legislature)

• Leader – Maximilien

Robespierre

How to Finance the New How to Finance the New Govt.?Govt.?1.1. Confiscate Church Lands Confiscate Church Lands (1790)(1790)

One of the most controversial decisions of the entire One of the most controversial decisions of the entire revolutionary period.revolutionary period.

The “Cultural The “Cultural Revolution”Brought Revolution”Brought

About by the ConventionAbout by the Convention It was premised upon Enlightenment It was premised upon Enlightenment principles of rationality.principles of rationality.

The metric system of weights and The metric system of weights and measuresmeasures

Was defined by the French Academy of Was defined by the French Academy of Sciences in 1791 and enforced in 1793.Sciences in 1791 and enforced in 1793.

It replaced weights and measures that had It replaced weights and measures that had their origins in the Middle Ages.their origins in the Middle Ages.

The abolition of slavery within France in The abolition of slavery within France in 1791 and throughout the French colonies 1791 and throughout the French colonies in 1794.in 1794.

The Convention legalized divorce and The Convention legalized divorce and enacted shared inheritance laws [even for enacted shared inheritance laws [even for illegitimate offspring] in an attempt to illegitimate offspring] in an attempt to eradicate inequalities.eradicate inequalities.

What was the Committee for Public Safety?

• Neighborhood watch committees that hunted down suspected traitors and turned them in

• 40,000 people executed

What Happened to Marie Antoinette?

• She is executed during the Reign of Terror

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette on the Way to the on the Way to the

GuillotineGuillotine

The “Monster” The “Monster” GuillotineGuillotine

The last guillotine execution in France was in The last guillotine execution in France was in 19391939!!

The “Second” The “Second” French RevolutionFrench Revolution

The National Convention:The National Convention:

Girondin Rule: 1792-1793Girondin Rule: 1792-1793

Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794[“Reign of Terror”][“Reign of Terror”]

Thermidorian Reaction: 1794-Thermidorian Reaction: 1794-17951795

The Directory The Directory 1795-1799 1795-1799

The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror

Terror is nothing other than Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.justice, prompt, severe, inflexible. -- Robespierre-- Robespierre

Let terror be Let terror be the order of the order of

the day!the day!c The Revolutionary The Revolutionary

Tribunal of Paris alone Tribunal of Paris alone executed 2,639 executed 2,639 victims in 15 months.victims in 15 months.

c The total number of The total number of victims nationwide victims nationwide was over 20,000!was over 20,000!

How does the Reign of Terror End?

• Robespierre is executed

• The Directory takes over– Committee of five conservative men– Still has many problems

• Napoleon Bonaparte stages coup d'état – quick seizure of power

imposes new constitution - declares himself first emperor

What do you think is the Reaction Of the French?

• Marks the beginning of the Reactionary Period

I am EmperorOoh la laFinally, we can

have peace andstability again

Roman Empire

French Empire

Napoleon Bonaparte

What are the top 5 facts to know about Napoleon Bonaparte?

• Became Dictator of France – people were tired of the Revolution

• Conquered most of Europe– 3 major losses contributed to his downfall

• Battle of Trafalgar against English Navy• Invasion of Russia • Battle of Waterloo against Prussia, Britain, Netherlands

• Created the Napoleonic Code – – New law code– Enlightenment ideas – equality, religious freedom

• Continental System – protected France’s industries at the expense of Great Britain (similar to Navigation Acts it was considered “protectionism”

• Exiled to Elba after defeat by foreign armies , but escaped to rule for 100 more days until his defeat at Waterloo

Attitudes Attitudes & actions & actions

of of monarchymonarchy& court& court

Attitudes Attitudes & actions & actions

of of monarchymonarchy& court& court

Fear ofFear ofCounter-Counter-RevolutiRevoluti

onon

Fear ofFear ofCounter-Counter-RevolutiRevoluti

onon

ReligioReligiousus

divisiodivisionsns

ReligioReligiousus

divisiodivisionsns

PoliticPoliticalal

divisiodivisionsns

PoliticPoliticalal

divisiodivisionsns

WarWarWarWar

EconoEconomicmic

CrisesCrises

EconoEconomicmic

CrisesCrises

The Causes of The Causes of Instability in FranceInstability in France

1792 - 17951792 - 1795

The Causes of The Causes of Instability in FranceInstability in France

1792 - 17951792 - 1795

Different Social Different Social Classes Executed Classes Executed

28%

31%

25%

8%

7%

The JacobinsThe JacobinsJacobin Meeting HouseJacobin Meeting House

They held their meetings in the They held their meetings in the library of a former Jacobin library of a former Jacobin monastery in Paris.monastery in Paris.

Started as a debating society.Started as a debating society.

Membership mostly middle Membership mostly middle class.class.

Created a vast network of clubs.Created a vast network of clubs.

The The Sans-Culottes:Sans-Culottes:The Parisian Working The Parisian Working

ClassClass Small Small

shopkeepers.shopkeepers.

Tradesmen.Tradesmen.

Artisans.Artisans.

They shared many of They shared many of the ideals of their the ideals of their

middle class middle class representatives in representatives in

government!government!

The The Sans-Sans-CulottesCulottes

Depicted as Savages by a British Cartoonist.Depicted as Savages by a British Cartoonist.

The September The September Massacres, Massacres, 17921792

(The dark side of the (The dark side of the Revolution!)Revolution!)

Rumors that the anti-revolutionary political prisoners Rumors that the anti-revolutionary political prisoners were plotting to break out & attack from the rear the were plotting to break out & attack from the rear the armies defending France, while the Prussians armies defending France, while the Prussians attacked from the front.attacked from the front.

Buveurs de sangBuveurs de sang [“drinkers of blood.”] [“drinkers of blood.”] over 1000 over 1000 killed!killed!

It discredited the Revolution among its remaining It discredited the Revolution among its remaining sympathizers abroad.sympathizers abroad.

The National The National ConventionConvention

(September, 1792)(September, 1792) Its first act was the formal Its first act was the formal abolition of the monarchy on abolition of the monarchy on September 22, 1792.September 22, 1792.

The The Year IYear I of the French Republic. of the French Republic.

The Decree of FraternityThe Decree of Fraternity

it offered French assistance to any it offered French assistance to any subject peoples who wished to subject peoples who wished to overthrow their governments.overthrow their governments.

When France sneezes, When France sneezes, all of Europe catches all of Europe catches

cold!cold!

When France sneezes, When France sneezes, all of Europe catches all of Europe catches

cold!cold!

Attempts to Attempts to ControlControl

the Growing the Growing CrisisCrisis

1.1. Revolutionary Tribunal in ParisRevolutionary Tribunal in Paris try trysuspected counter-revolutionaries.suspected counter-revolutionaries.

A.A. Representatives-on-MissionRepresentatives-on-Mission sent to the provinces & to the army.sent to the provinces & to the army. had wide powers to overseehad wide powers to oversee

conscription.conscription.

B. B. Watch Committees [Watch Committees [comité de comité de surveillancesurveillance]] keep an eye on foreigners & keep an eye on foreigners &

suspects.suspects.C. Sanctioned the trial & execution of C. Sanctioned the trial & execution of rebels and émigrés, should they ever rebels and émigrés, should they ever return to France. return to France.

Attempts to Attempts to ControlControl

the Growing the Growing CrisisCrisis

2.2. The printing of more The printing of more assignatsassignats to to pay for the war.pay for the war.

3.3. Committee of Public Safety [CPS]Committee of Public Safety [CPS] to oversee and speed up the work of to oversee and speed up the work of

the government during this crisis.the government during this crisis.

4.4. Committee of General Security Committee of General Security [CGS][CGS]

responsible for the pursuit ofresponsible for the pursuit ofcounter-revolutionaries, thecounter-revolutionaries, thetreatment of suspects, & other treatment of suspects, & other internal security matters.internal security matters.

Committee for Public Committee for Public SafetySafety

Revolutionary Tribunals.Revolutionary Tribunals. 300,000 arrested.300,000 arrested. 16,000 – 50,000 executed.16,000 – 50,000 executed.

Maximillian Maximillian RobespierreRobespierre(1758 – 1794)(1758 – 1794)

Georges Jacques Georges Jacques DantonDanton

(1759 – 1794)(1759 – 1794)

The De-Christianization The De-Christianization ProgramProgram

1.1. The adoption of a new The adoption of a new Republican Republican CalendarCalendar::

abolished Sundays & religious holidays.abolished Sundays & religious holidays. months named after seasonal features.months named after seasonal features. 7-day weeks replaced by 10-day 7-day weeks replaced by 10-day

decades.decades. the yearly calendar was dated fromthe yearly calendar was dated from

the creation of the Republic the creation of the Republic [Sept. 22, 1792][Sept. 22, 1792]

The Convention symbolically divorced The Convention symbolically divorced the state from the Church!!the state from the Church!!

The Revolution The Revolution ConsumesConsumes

Its Own Children!Its Own Children!

Danton Awaits Danton Awaits Execution, 1793Execution, 1793

Robespierre Lies WoundedRobespierre Lies WoundedBefore the Revolutionary Before the Revolutionary

Tribunal that will order him Tribunal that will order him to be guillotined, 1794.to be guillotined, 1794.