The French Revolution:The French Revolution:

& The Fall of the Monarchy.& The Fall of the Monarchy.The Rise of the PeopleThe Rise of the People

““Those Those above us above us look look powerful powerful only only because because we are on we are on our knees. our knees. Let’s Let’s Stand Up!”Stand Up!”

Areas of TensionAreas of TensionAbsolutism: Above all, the Revolution was a revolt against Absolutism: Above all, the Revolution was a revolt against the the ‘Tyranny’ or ‘Despotism’ of the Monarchy. In ‘Tyranny’ or ‘Despotism’ of the Monarchy. In place of this, place of this, they demanded they demanded a Representative a Representative Government. Government. eg: The Royal Parlementeg: The Royal Parlement

Economic Strife: The Monarchy had been unable to balance Economic Strife: The Monarchy had been unable to balance its its income with its expenditure. External Defense = big income with its expenditure. External Defense = big $$$. $$$. Not much left over for social aids. Not much left over for social aids.

“Let Them Eat Cake.”“Let Them Eat Cake.”

Social Structure: The Three Estates.Social Structure: The Three Estates.France was structured on the principle of France was structured on the principle of

corporate privileges. corporate privileges. eg: Tax exemptions. The Clergy eg: Tax exemptions. The Clergy and Nobility were the two and Nobility were the two most privileged groups.most privileged groups.

The Three EstatesThe Three Estates

ClergyClergy

NoblesNobles

PeasantsPeasants

ClergyClergyNoblesNobles

More More NoblesNobles

PeasantsPeasants

Jean-Jacques RousseauJean-Jacques Rousseau

• By nature, Man is FreeBy nature, Man is Free

• Everyone has an equal share in the state, in Everyone has an equal share in the state, in making laws, etc.making laws, etc.

• Thus, each person obeys his Thus, each person obeys his own own rules, and rules, and therefore is Free.therefore is Free.

• Each person is an indivisible part of the whole. Each person is an indivisible part of the whole. Each person is needed. If someone does not want Each person is needed. If someone does not want to take part in the state, the state has the right to to take part in the state, the state has the right to coerce that person into participating.coerce that person into participating.

•This has a later importance in the Terror.This has a later importance in the Terror.

The Social Contract:The Social Contract:

All men are FREE and EQUALAll men are FREE and EQUAL

Man’s rights are Liberty, Property, Security, and Man’s rights are Liberty, Property, Security, and resistance to Oppressionresistance to Oppression

Voted by Voted by

the National Assembly the National Assembly

August 26, 1789August 26, 1789

Freedom of Speech and the PressFreedom of Speech and the Press

Innocent Until Proven GuiltyInnocent Until Proven Guilty

Now that we Now that we have an idea have an idea of what the of what the Revolution Revolution

was was attempting to attempting to

do...do...

Louis XVI:Louis XVI:Where did he go Wrong?Where did he go Wrong?

He HesitatedHe Hesitated

•Louis had to convince the National Assembly Louis had to convince the National Assembly that he supported the Revolution. Since he was that he supported the Revolution. Since he was not, this was a difficult task. not, this was a difficult task.

•When he hesitated at certain requests from the When he hesitated at certain requests from the National Assembly, he showed that he did not National Assembly, he showed that he did not completely support the Revolution.completely support the Revolution.

•BUT more importantly…BUT more importantly…

June 20, 1791June 20, 1791

In an attempt to get out of his increasingly In an attempt to get out of his increasingly awkward situation, the King Flees from Paris.awkward situation, the King Flees from Paris.

His flight shows just how far removed he was from the His flight shows just how far removed he was from the goals of the Revolution.goals of the Revolution.

When louis returned from his botched flight, he When louis returned from his botched flight, he was no longer able to hide behind his false was no longer able to hide behind his false support of the Revolution (because of his support of the Revolution (because of his Manifesto). Manifesto).

Two Years Later, after much debate about what to Two Years Later, after much debate about what to do with him, it was decided that he would be do with him, it was decided that he would be beheaded. beheaded.

His manifestoHis manifesto

What did this mean?What did this mean?