The French Revolution

Background and Beginnings

King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

“The Old Regime”

The French Revolution Political Background

• The king ruled by Divine Right

• The king selected officials

based on social rank not ability.

• The king censored speech and

press

• The Estates General had not

met in 175 years.

First

Estate

Clergy

1%

Second

Estate

Nobles

2%

Third Estate

Bourgeoisie, Laborers, Artisans

Peasants

97%

The French Revolution Social Conditions

• The First Estate was exempt

from taxes military service

• The Second Estate owned most

of the land and was exempt

from taxes.

• The Third Estate paid most of

the taxes and did virtually all

the work. Burden of the Third Estate

The French Revolution Economic Conditions

The Economic conditions of France had been gradually growing

worse since the reign of Louis XIV. By 1787, the country was near

bankruptcy and faced financial disaster. This was due to:

• Extravagant lifestyle of the monarchy.

• Spending vast amounts on wars.

• Debt created by French support of the

American Revolution. • Exemption of the upper classes from

taxation.

Economic Discontentment

The French population began to grow rapidly in the 1700’s. While

families had more children to support poor economic conditions

caused great hardships:

• Prices rose dramatically in the 1700’s while

wages barely rose. This was especially true

of bread prices which were a staple of the

masses

• High taxes on peasants caused numerous

riots which were ruthlessly suppressed.

• Nobles and clergy raised rents and fees on

the lower classes

Basic Causes of the French Revolution

First

Estate

Second

Estate

Third

Estate

Taxed Owned

Land

Served

in Govt.

Subject to

Military

NO

YES

NO

NO NO

YES YES

YES YES

YES

YES

NO

Inequity of the French Estates

Influence of French Philosophers

Basic Causes of the French Revolution

Voltaire

Letters on the English

Advocated free speech,

praised England’s limited

monarchy and denounced

the French government.

“I may not agree with a word you say, but

I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”

Jean Jacques Rousseau

The Social Contract Government should be based on

popular sovereignty and people

have the right to change

government when they are

discontented

Montesquieu

Spirit of the Laws The perfect government

contained checks and balances

Influence of Foreign Revolutions

The Marquis de Lafayette in the American Revolution

Benjamin Franklin in the French court.

Thomas Jefferson author of The Declaration of Independence

Basic Causes of the French Revolution

Queen

Marie Antoinette Madame Deficit

• Austrian Princess unpopular

with people

• Didn’t understand French

customs

• Spent extravagant amounts

on jewelry, clothing, and

gambling.

“Let them eat cake”

Discontentment with the government Basic Causes of the French Revolution

1715

1789 17 Million

24.7 Million

Population Explosion in France

Reasons for Growth: •Greater Food Production

•Increased Prosperity

•Better Sanitation

•Lack of Wars & Invasion

Basic Causes of the French Revolution

Taxes

50%

Personal

Income

28%

Tithes

10%

Feudal

Dues

12%

Income Distribution of the Third Estate

First Estate 300 members 1 Vote

Second Estate 300 members 1 Vote

Third Estate 600 members 1 Vote

Convened for the first time

in 175 years

The Estates General of France May 5, 1789

The National Assembly

Created June 17, 1789

The Tennis Court Oath

June 20, 1789

Storming of the Bastille

July 14, 1789

Storming of the Bastille

July 14, 1789

The National Assembly

Abolished All Ancient Feudal Rights No more distinction of social classes

The August Decrees - August 5, 1789

Declaration of the Rights of Man August 27, 1789

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

Make-up of the National

Convention

Speaker

Moderates

1791-1792

Make-up of the National

Convention

Speaker

Moderates

1792-1795

Jean Paul Marat

Journalist who was an early

Jacobin leader. Outspoken critic

of the Old Regime

Advocated death for opponents

of the revolution

Because of a skin disease, he

was forced to work out of his

bathtub

Georges Danton

Powerful leader of the

Jacobins and a strong public

speaker.

Very popular with common

people.

Maximilien Robespierre

“The Apostle of Terror”

Became the most powerful

leader of the Jacobins and

the most feared man in

France.

Led the revolution to its

most radical stage, the

Reign of Terror

Seizure of the Royal Family – August, 1792

On September 22, 1792, the convention established

the First French Republic

All adult male citizens were given the right to vote

The monarchy was abolished and the royal family

imprisoned

The First French Republic

Trial of Louis XVI Dec. 12, 1792 - Jan. 21, 1793

Louis was charged for conspiring

against the revolution. Jacobins

dominated the trial

On Jan. 15, 1793, Louis was found

guilty by a 683 to 66 vote

The next day Louis was sentenced to

execution by a 361 to 360 vote

Execution of Louis XVI January 21, 1793

Louis must die, so

that the republic

may live -Robespierre

The First Coalition

March 1793 • France announced that it planned to export the

Revolution to all of Europe

• Several countries formed a coalition against

France.

The Netherlands Austria Prussia Spain

Great Britain

Became the first of four anti-French coalitions

from 1793-1815.

The Committee of Public Safety Formed March 10, 1793 Formed to combat outside enemies

Consisted of 12 members

Sought out enemies of the revolution

Total control over affairs of state

Made & carried out all laws

Jacobin Takeover of the Convention May 31, 1793

On May 31, 1793, Jacobins began

arresting and executing Girondins

Many Girondins escaped and became

émigrés

On July 31, 1793, a Girondin

supporter, Charlotte Corday,

assassinated Marat as he sat in his

bathtub. He became a martyr.

Assassination of Marat

July 31, 1793

Assassinated by a Girondin sympathizer Charlotte Corday as he

worked in his bathtub

The Reign of Terror Sept. 17, 1793 - July 28, 1794

Devised to stop any

opposition to the revolution.

Defendants were tried by the

Revolutionary Tribunal.

Trials were quick and

unfair.

More than 40,000 citizens,

mostly peasants, were

executed

Execution of Marie Antoinette October 16, 1793

Monsieur, I beg your

pardon Last Words of Marie Antoinette

The Revolution Devours its Own End of the Terror

In April 1794, Danton called for

an end to the terror. He and his

followers were executed.

Execution of Danton April 5, 1794

Execution of Robespierre July 28, 1794

By July, moderates had turned

against Robespierre. He was

executed on July 28, 1794

ending the Reign of Terror.

Moderate Control of the Convention

July 29, 1794 - October 26, 1795

Moderates regained control of the convention

All Jacobin clubs were closed

When the economy worsened mobs tried to break

up the convention.

They were stopped by a young unknown general

named Napoleon Bonaparte

The Constitution of 1795

The moderates who controlled the Convention

finished the new Constitution in the fall of 1795

A new government called The Directory was

created

The Directory consisted of an executive branch of

5 directors, and a weak legislature.

The Directory lasted until 1799 when Napoleon

staged a Coup d'état and formed a new

government.

Napoleon Bonaparte