THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

PIVOTAL EVENT OF 18TH CENTURY

Transformed social values & political systems

Replaced old regime with modern society

Slogan = “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

Bloody conflicts presented dilemma of means vs. ends

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

ORIGINS

Louis XVI not particularly capable

Marie Antoinette perceived as frivolous & callous

Incompetence of French monarchy

Louis XVI (r. 1774-1792)

Marie Antoinette

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

ORIGINS

Enlightenment & public opinion

Philosophes highly critical of existing system

• But not revolutionary

Underground literature more subversive

• Portrayed aristocracy as decadent & monarchy as ridiculous despotism

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

ORIGINS

Fiscal crisis of French government

Huge war debt

Tax exemptions of elite = insufficient revenues

Incompetence of system

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

ORIGINS

Desire for institutional change

Estates General called in 1789

THIRD ESTATE = driving force of Revolution

• King insisted on vote “by order”

• Delegates of 3rd Estate wanted vote “by head”

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

ORIGINS

The Estates General: 1789

3rd Estate refused to meet separately

Proclaimed itself the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

Took “TENNIS COURT OATH”

King recognized Assembly, ordered other Estates to join it

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

THE CONVERGENCE OF REVOLUTIONS

Masses mobilizing over issues of basic subsistence

Faced severe economic difficulties

Suspicious of aristocrats

STORMING OF THE BASTILLE: July 14, 1789

Finance Minister Jacques Necker dismissed

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

THE CONVERGENCE OF REVOLUTIONS

Spread of revolt

Cities set up revolutionary governments & militias

Revolt in countryside: THE GREAT FEAR

Peasants attack noble landlords & manors

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

THE CONVERGENCE OF REVOLUTIONS

Night of August 4: Assembly deputies renounce privileges, appease peasants

Issue “Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen”

Men equal in rights

Sovereignty of nation against king or any other

Authority of legitimate law supreme Liberty defined as ability to do whatever does not harm another