FRANCE BECOMES A REPUBLIC Unit IV French Revolution

FRANCE BECOMES A REPUBLIC Unit IV: French Revolution

Essential Question ■ Did King Louis XVI need to die to create the French Republic? Why or why not?

Jean-Paul Marat (1743 -1793 C. E. ) ■ Ran the radical newspaper L'Ami du peuple (Friend of the People) – Took Freedom of Speech to the extreme ■ Described in the film as a “Professional Malcontent” – What does this mean? ■ Failed as a doctor, forced to live in the Paris sewers where he contracted a skin disease – Had to spent most of his time in a medicinal bath ■ Constantly called for more and more violence – Created lists of enemies of the Revolution

Sans Culottes ■ Most radical supporters of the French Revolution ■ Usually lower middle class artisans ■ Literally translates to “without knee pants” – Refused to dress in the style of the rich ■ These individuals would fight in the Revolutionary army and assist in mass executions in the later stages of the revolution

The Women’s March on Versailles (October 1789 C. E. ) ■ Bread prices continued to remain high and starvation imminent ■ Thousands of Parisian women marched on Versailles to protest and demand bread an audience with the king – Wielded spears, pikes, knives, and cooking tools ■ These women were joined by revolutionaries seeking more democratic reforms – Including Robespierre ■ Protestors break into Versailles looking to murder the king and queen – Massacre the guards and servants – Captured the king and queen and force them to move to Paris – Would live in captivity for several years

Europe declares War on France ■ The capture of the king and queen scare monarchies across Europe – Austria, Prussia (Germany), Russia, and later England ■ France’s weakened state now also gave countries a chance to take power and territory away ■ Revolutionary army initially weak, lost most battles ■ King Louis XVI and Queen Marie Antoinette secretly helping Austria and Prussia – Hope once these nations win they will get their thrones and power back

The Royal Family Attempts to Flee (June 1791 C. E. ) ■ Emboldened by foreign successes against the revolutionary army, Louis XVI begins to concoct a plan to escape France – Family escaped by carriage from their house arrest in the middle of the night ■ Many nobles already fled to Austria, which Louis XVI hoped would form support to raise a new army ■ Falsely believed people outside Paris would protect him ■ Instead, the royal family identified in a border town by guards who turned them in to revolutionary government ■ This escape attempt officially destroyed any bonds the French people had with their king

September Massacres (September 1892 C. E. ) ■ With enemy forces winning on the borders, the failed escape of the royal family, and revolts growing in provinces, Sans Culottes and other radicals grew anxious ■ Marat began calling for even more blood, to kill “enemies of the revolution” ■ Revolutionaries began to kill prisoners (priests, nobles, royal supporters) with whatever weapons they had – Over 1, 000 murdered ■ National Assembly unable to stop the violence, Robespierre realizes that the people cannot manage the revolution by themselves – Need intelligent leadership ■ National Assembly votes on Sept. 22, 1792 to officially end the French monarchy – French Republic begins

The Execution of King Louis XVI (January 21, 1793 C. E. ) ■ After Louis XVI failed escape, the National Assembly debated what to do with him – Girondists (moderates) wanted Louis XVI to live – Jacobins (radicals), led by Robespierre wanted Louis XVI to die ■ Ultimately, Louis XVI charged with High Treason, the worst possible offense in the French Republic – The punishment was death ■ King Louis XVI would be killed with the guillotine (the “National Razor”), shocking the world ■ The would represent a “point of no return” for the revolution and would begin the infamous Reign of Terror

Essential Question ■ Did King Louis XVI need to die to create the French Republic? Why or why not?