Chapter 7, section 2: Revolution Brings Reform and

Terror

Learning Targets• At the end of the lesson I can…………..1.Explain the causes of the French

Revolution2.Identify the Enlightenment philosophers

and their impact on the Enlightenment.3.Identify the connection between the

Enlightenment and the French Revolution.

Section 2 Study Guide questions:

Upon completion students should be able to:1. Explain how the National Assembly changed

France’s government.2. Summarize the positions of the three factions

that tried to govern France.3. Explain how war and the king’s execution

affected the Revolution.4. Describe the events and the aftermath of the

Reign of Terror.

In class today

• 1. Turning point quiz over French Rev. causes

• 2.Read primary source “Execution by Guillotine”/ Discuss

• 3. Small group French Revolution and Enlightenment exercise.

• 4. Class discussion using powerpoint notes.

• 5. Exit cards……….

The Guillotine

• 1. What was the purpose of the Guillotines?

• 2. According to the article what was the real impact of the Guillotines?

• 3. What likely constituted treason in France?

• 4. In what ways did the use of the Guillotine violate the principles of the Enlightenment?

Fr. Revolution and the Enlightenment

With you and your small group team:1. Use the chart provided on the handout,

identify the Enlightenment thinker and identify examples of where the French applied these principals in the Revolution. (5-7 minutes)

2. Discussion will follow, select a person to represent the group.

The Assembly Reforms France

The Rights of Man• National Assembly adopts

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

• Revolutionary leaders use the slogan, “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

The Assembly Reforms France continued

A State Controlled Church• National Assembly seizes church lands,

turns clergy into public officials• This action alarms many peasants, who

are devout Catholics

Louis Tries to Escape• Louis, worried about his future, attempts

to escape France• Revolutionaries catch the royal family near

Netherlands border

Divisions DevelopFactions Split France• Major problems, including debt, food

shortages remain• Assembly splits into Radicals,

Moderates, Conservatives

Factions Split France continued

• Émigrés-nobles who flee country, want Old Regime back in power

• Sans-culottes-lower class who want more change from the Revolution

Problems with Other Countries

• Austrian and Prussians want Louis in charge of France

• France declares war

France at War• Prussian forces soon threaten to

attack Paris• Parisian mob jails royal family, kills

guard• Mob breaks into prisons, killing over

1,000, including many who support king

France At War continued

• Pressured by mob, Legislative Assembly deposes the king and then dissolves

• National Convention takes office in September, forming French republic

Jacobins Take Control• Jacobins-radical political organization

behind 1792 governmental changes• After a close vote, Louis XVI is found

guilty of treason and beheaded• Guillotine-machine designed during the

Revolution to behead people

Guillotine

• The main tool used during the reign of terror in order to execute many.

• Was actually invented to be a more humane method of imposing capital punishment.

The War Continues

• French army wins great victory against Prussians and Austrians• In 1793 Britain, Spain, Holland

join forces against France• National Convention orders draft

of 300,000 to reinforce army

The Reign of Terror

Divided Country

• Not all people in France support all changes of the Revolution•Many believed the changes were too radical and led to anarchy.

Robespierre Assumes Control

• Maximilien Robespierre-Jacobin leader rules France for a year

• Becomes leader of the Committee for Public Safety, a dictator

Reign of Terror

• Reign of Terror-Robespierre’s rule, which includes killing many opponents• Thousands die during the

Terror, including former allies and Marie Antoinette• 85% of those who die during the

terror are middle or lower class

End of the Terror

• In July 1794, Robespierre arrested, executed• Terror results in public opinion shifting away from radicals

Execution of Maximilien-Marie-Isidore Robespierre on July 27, 1794.

End of the Terror continued• Moderate leaders write new constitution• Two-house legislature and five man

directory restore order• New government makes Napoleon

Bonaparte commander of armies