The French Revolution 1789 1799 What is a

The French Revolution 1789 - 1799

What is a Revolution? • A Radical and Rapid change – What are other examples of revolutions that you can think of? What was the change that was made during these revolutions?

How Did France “Get To” Revolution? • The Long Term Causes – “The Old Regime” The First Estate The Second Estate Third Estate • What can we learn about the Old Regime from this picture?

Who Made Up the Estate System? THE CLERGY ½% OF THE POPULATION 10% OF THE LAND DID NOT PAY TAXES The First Estate The Second Estate THE NOBILITY (MILITARY, GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS, COURT OFFICIALS, CHURCH OFFICIALS (NOT CLERGY), SOME WEALTHY LANDOWNERS EVERYONE ELSE 98% OF THE POPULATION (75 – 80% PEASANTS 8% BOURGEOISIE [MIDDLE CLASS]) 65% OF THE LAND 100% OF THE TAXES 1½% OF THE POPULATION 25% OF THE LAND The Third Estate. DID NOT PAY TAXES

The Inequalities of the Old Regime • “Although people tend to accept the social system in which they live, the Ancien (old) Regime in France contained inequalities which, sooner or later had to cause conflict. "

Other Images of the “Old Regime”

How Did France “Get To” Revolution? • The Short-Term Causes – The Financial Crisis • Why did the French Economy Collapse? – – – Poor harvests, 1787 – 1788 Slow down in manufacturing Inflation in the prices of goods Increased unemployment Government spending » The Seven Years’ War (French-Indian War) » Investment in the American Revolution » Royal Luxuries

Meet the King & Queen King Louis XVI Marie-Antoinette • “The Indecisive King” • “Madame Deficit” – Did not care much to be king – Spent more time eating and hunting than focusing on the government – A foreigner – gasp! (Austria) – Blamed for not producing an heir – Lonely and depressed, turned to “retail therapy”

What do you get when you cross an ancient social structure with a financial crisis and “inadequate monarchs”? The French Revolution!

Louis XVI Needs Money • Calls to order the Estates General, May 1789 – Legislative body made up of the three estates – Has not met since 1614

How does the Estates General work? • Each estate sends multiple representatives • Each estate gets ONE vote – Traditionally, the 1 st and 2 nd estate vote the same way, because they have the same interests. – Which means…. • The 3 rd Estate always gets out voted

One Man, One Vote? • The 3 rd estate asked for each member to have a vote

The 3 rd Estate Takes Matters into Their Own Hands • The National Assembly – Legislative body made up of the 3 rd Estate – Goal: Draft their own Constitution – Led by: The Bourgeoisie

Locked Out? !? ! • After three days of meeting, the National Assembly is locked out. • Give up? !? No Way!!! – Move the meeting to a local Tennis Court – The Tennis Court Oath • Promise not to leave until a new constitution was drafted

How Will the King React? • The National Assembly is fearful of how King Louis XVI will react. So… – They attack first • If you were to stage an attack as an attempt to make a statement or overthrow the government what would you attack? – Government Building – Capital City/ Capitol Building – National Symbol / Monument – A Military Base Why There? • It’s where the leaders are • It plays on people’s emotions

The Storming of the Bastille • The Bastillearmory/prison – A symbol of corruption and the monarchy • July 14, 1789 – Attacked by the townspeople – Guards’ heads paraded on sticks • The Start of a Revolution!

‘The Great Fear’ Swept through France • Rumors, Rumors… – There will be a peasant revolt – The Nobles are killing peasants • Rumors create FEAR – Revolts begin – Killing of Nobles

Documents Drafted (Some Enlightenment Influences? ) • The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen – Stated all men are equal – Government has a responsibility to protect the natural rights of man: • Life • Liberty • Property • The Constitution of 1791 – Limited the powers of the monarchy – Created a legislature to make laws – Says the government needs to abide by the Social Contract • Belongs to the people • Will Louis Sign? – No…

The Most Famous Words Never Said… • “Let them eat cake. ” – Angry mob of women march on Versailles – Bread prices • Louis is forced to sign the new Constitution: – Failed attempt to flee to Austria – Had refused and was vetoed by the National Assembly – Captured at Versailles – Brought to Paris to sign the new Constitution

A New France?

A Growing Movement of Radicals • The “Sans-Culottes” – “without knee-breeches” • Identify with the common man instead of the nobility – Favored DRASTIC change • Complete overhaul of government and society

The National Convention • A Revolutionary Government – Set-up by the Commune – Arrested and imprisoned the King – Representatives elected by all free males

Factions Grow Girondins • Mostly represented outside of the city of Paris • Wanted to keep the monarchy, with some changes to the government • Wanted the king to be released from prison Jacobians • Mostly represented the city of Paris • Wanted to take all power away from the monarchy • Wanted the king to be condemned

Jacobians Seize Control • Rising bread prices urge people to lean toward the Jacobians • A New Leader: Maximilien Robespierre – Along with Georges Danton

January 21, 1793 • Citizen Louis Capet (formerly King Louis XVI) is executed

The Guillotine is the official “executioner” of the Revolution

“A Republic of Virtue” • Robespierre establishes the “Committee of Public Safety” – Motto: • Liberty, Equality, Fraternity – “protect” the people • A draft is established – 1 million man army (largest ever) – Fix bread prices

The Reign of Terror • Led by Robespierre – Silence the opposition • 40, 000 people killed or jailed – 16, 000 guillotined between 1793 – 1794 • Secret Police listening for those who “did not support the revolution” • Fingers pointed • Olympe de Gouges – Executed for “Declaration of the Rights of Women”

The End of the Monarchy… for good • Marie Antoinette is executed – October 16, 1793

Other Changes During “The Reign of Terror” • De-Christianization of France – Renamed churches: • Temples of Reason – Renamed Months • Three 10 day weeks

Fear Runs Out • Order for the arrest and execution of Robespierre It’s just a wax figure in the wax museum!!!

Yet again, A New Constitution is Written • 1795 • Set up the Directory – Repealed many of the radical reforms – Was a relatively weak government, 1795 – 1799 • Opened the door for a new “dictator” Napoleon Bonaparte