The French Revolution

The Radical Phase 1791 - 1795

Louis XVI Disliked rule under Parliamentary control Tried to escape the country Wanted to raise an army of exiles and

reclaim his throne Captured at Varennes People saw him as a traitor to their country

National Assembly King still had veto power and used it to

block legislation National Assembly forbade current

members from running for future office Peasants and workers were able to elect

members

Three New Political Factions The Feuillants The Girondins The Jacobins

The Feuillants Conservative Monarchists Limit any further changes

The Girondins Represented propertied Bourgeoisie Supported by the peasants Favored abolition of the monarchy Wanted rights of citizens to be spread to all

classes and eventually all nations

Jacobins More radical than the Girondins Advocated highly centralized republic Used agitation and the press to gain

influence Supported by urban working class and the

Paris mob

Foreign Menace Neighboring monarchies began to mobilize

because they feared the revolution France declared war on them to: Defend the revolution Divert attention from problems at home

The Second Revolution

Opposing Forces Jacobins - Radicals Girondins – The Less Radical element

The Trial of Louis XVI Louis XVI was put on trial Accused of crimes against the French

people and plotting to overthrow the revolution.

Declared guilty and the verdict was “Death” The death penalty was decided by a margin

of one vote: 361 - 360

The Reign of Terror Maximilian De Robespierre Lawyer Leader of the Jacobins Follower of Rousseau Almost 20,000 people went to the guillotine

The War Population totally mobilized for war Citizen army was highly motivated. The people were rallied by a new flag and a

new national anthem The enemy was pushed back and the

borders were secured

The End of the Reign of Terror Ended in 1794 Robespierre sent to Guillotine

Conservative Resurgence

The New Government New constitution established a stable

bicameral legislature Council of Elders Council of Five Hundred Executive cabinet (directory)

Who Could Vote Males over 21 who had lived in France for

over a year Minimum tax rule eliminated Provision forbidding servants to vote also

eliminated

Restrictions on Vote After a nine-year period of grace, all voters

were expected to know how to read and write

This was restrictive, considering the high rate of illiteracy in France

Electors At least 25 years old Relatively wealthy

Problems faced by New Government

People still starving Frequent rioting New Government did not inspire the fear of

the Jacobin’s reign of terror

October 1795 Rioting crowd caused concern Government forces fire directly into crowd 500 people killed Officer in charge – Napoleon Bonaparte