French Revolution(1789-1799)

I. IntroII. Background/Why a

Revolution?A. Economy/MonarchyB. Estates General

III. Freedom/Equality (1789-92)A. Taking ActionB. New Constitution &

CalendarIV. Terror (1792-95)

A. WarB. Robespierre

V. Directory (1795-99)VI. Evaluation

Key Terms• National Assembly• Bastille• Great Fear• “Rights of Man”• Committee on

Public Safety• “Levee en masse”

French Revolution Themes(Turning Point In Europe’s History)

• It was a “popular” Revolution (involved common people angry at the monarchy).

• It turned violent & bloody.• It came full-circle.

Why?

• Government’s Debt – French/Indian War & American Revolution– Tax system

Economic Crisis:

• Poor harvests in 1780s—riots

Anger at monarchy:

Tax System In France

• Nobles & Clergy-did not pay taxes• Who was left…?

–Peasants & Bourgeoisie • Those with the least wealth paid the most in taxes

• Corvée: Peasants were required to work 12-15 days of unpaid labor for the state (roads, bridges, etc)

French Monarchy: Symbol for Anger

Louis XVI

(1754-1793)

Marie Antoinette

(1755-1793)

French Revolution

• Phase I: Freedom & Equality (1789-1792)

Slogan: Liberty, Equality & Fraternity

First Step to Revolution

• The King (Louis XVI) wanted to increase taxes & nobles refused to pay.

• Estates General (French Parliament) was called into session—it had not met since 1614!

Estates General

• But the “Masses”& Bourgeoisie objected to unequal representation.

• So, they formed their own group:

National Assembly

Nobles/Lords: 1-5%

Clergy: 5-10%

Middle Class: 5-10%

(Bourgeoisie)

The “Masses” 75-85%

National Assembly

• “The Masses” & Bourgeoisie met and Declared they would not disband until a new constitution was adopted!

Tennis Court Oath

Storming the Bastille(July, 1789)

1. Rioting in Paris led about 800 common citizens to attack the Bastille.

2. The people took the Bastille, but 98 civilians died & became martyrs.

3. Turning point: Average citizens sparked a mass Revolution.

Storming the Bastille(July, 1789)

• Lafayette gave this key to George Washington it’s now on display at Mount Vernon

Key to the Bastille

Great Fear(August, 1789)

1. Rumor: nobles were going to destroy crops in rural areas to hurt Revolutionaries.

2. Peasants looted & destroyed noble’s homes.

3. Result = nobility & clergy renounced ALL traditional privileges.

Common People Destroy The Old Order

“Rights of Man”(1789)

1. Every man is guaranteed natural rights and should be treated equally.

Philosophical Statement:

New Calendar

• Provisions – 1789 would be the year 1 (a brand new start)– 12 months in year– 30 days in each month– 3 weeks in each month– 1 day each week a holiday (1 every 10 days)

New Constitution*(1790)

1. Established a Constitutional Monarchy:

a) Louis XVI-monarch

b) But a National Legislature would have the most power

2. The Old Regime was gone; society would be based on freedom & equality.

*Just about all adult males could vote.

French Revolution• Phase II: Terror (1792-1795)

Reign of Terror(1792-95)

• To wage war, the National Legislature gave tremendous power to a committee of its members.

• WAR!France vs. rest of Europe

Committee On Public Safety

• Leader of the CommitteeRobespierre

(1758-1794)

Committee On Public Safety

• Mobilized entire defense of France.• Instituted “Levee en masse.”

–ALL in society were required to contribute to the war effort.

• Any & all dissent was CRUSHED.

Guillotine

• Use was popularized by Dr. Joseph Guillotin

• Estimated 25,000-50,000 executions (1792-94)

• 500,000 were imprisoned

Louis XVI Executed(January, 1793)

Marie Antoinette Executed(October, 1793)

Committee On Public Safety

• Mobilized entire defense of France.• Instituted “Levee en masse.”

–ALL in society were required to contribute to the war effort.

• Any & all dissent was CRUSHED

Their actions demonstrated the TERROR & how the Revolution turned violent & bloody.

French Revolution• Phase III: The Directory (1795-1799)

(Conservative Reaction)

Directory(1795-1799)

1. Created by the adoption of another new Constitution—to prevent another “TERROR.”

• Who can vote?—landowners only

2. Power would be held by Five Consuls (one was Napoleon Bonaparte).

3. 1799 Directory was abolished & Napoleon became the sole leader of France.

Revolution Comes Full-Circle

• Revolution’s Goal: destroy the monarchy & Old Regime

• Result: one ruler (Emperor)• All male landowners could vote, society was

more equal; but not full “freedom & equality” for all

French Revolution Themes(Turning Point In Europe’s History)

• It was a “popular” Revolution (involved common people angry at the monarchy).

• It turned violent & bloody.• It came full-circle.

Evaluation…

• Overall, was the Revolution positive or negative for the people of France?

French Revolution(1789-1799)

I. IntroII. Background/Why a

Revolution?A. Economy/MonarchyB. Estates General

III. Freedom/Equality (1789-92)A. Taking ActionB. New Constitution &

CalendarIV. Terror (1792-95)

A. WarB. Robespierre

V. Directory (1795-99)VI. Evaluation

Key Terms• National Assembly• Bastille• Great Fear• “Rights of Man”• Committee on

Public Safety• “Levee en masse”