French Revolution Begins Chapter 3 Section 2 Focus

French Revolution Begins Chapter 3 Section 2

Focus Question What political and social reforms did the National Assembly institute in the 1 st stage of the French Revolution?

Political crisis leads to revolt The Great Fear 1. Inflamed by famine and rumors: Nobles and armies steal peasant grain/crops, attacking villages 2. Peasant fury unleashed on nobles: Peasants set fire to manor records and stole grain

Political crisis leads to revolt cont. Factions and Communes 1. Factions compete to gain power 2. Marquis de Lafayette headed National Guard, mostly middle class militia, as response to royal army in Paris. 3. Paris commune replaces royalist local government and mobilizes neighborhoods to protest

The National Assembly acts Special privilege ends (Aug. 4, 1789) 1. Nobles vote to end their own privileges, ending feudalism. (hunting rights, manor dues, legal status, and tax exemptions) Declaration of the Rights of Man in Aug. 1789) Modeled on the American Declaration of Independence 2. All male citizens were equal before the law 1. (late

National Assembly Acts Cont. Women March on Versailles (Oct. 5, 1789) 1. Anger at Marie Antoinette’s Extravagant life style 2. Demand that the king return to Paris 3. The royal family went back with the women to Paris, where they spent the next 3 years.

The National Assembly presses onward The Church is placed under state control 1. Civil Constitution of the Clergy: papal authority ends, dissolves convents and monasteries 2. Angry reaction by bishops, priests, pope, and French peasants (peasant reaction in provinces was bad).

The National Assembly presses onward The Constitution of 1791 establishes a new government 1. Replaces absolute monarchy with limited monarchy. 2. Reflects Enlightenment goals Louis’ escape fails (June 1791) 1. Royal family attempts disguised escape across the border 2. Louis’ escape attempt makes him a traitor to the revolution

Radicals take over Rulers fear spread of revolution 1. European rulers increase border patrols to stop “French Plague” 2. Fears fueled by stories from émigrés Threats come from Abroad 1. King of Prussia and Emperor of Austria issue the Declaration of Pilnitz (Aug. 1791) 2. Revolutionaries in France Prepare for War

Radicals Take over Radicals Declare War (Oct. 1791) 1. Newly elected Legislative Assembly survives less than a year 2. San-culottes and Jacobins demand a republic The National Assembly declares war on Tyranny 1. Radicals gain upper hand in Legislative Assembly 2. Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria, Prussia, and Great Britain.

Peasants or Sans-Culottes

Middle Class and Nobles