1. The French Struggle to Achieve Self Government

2. France: Before the Revolution
French society based on inequality
France divided into three estates, or classes
First Estate: Clergy
Own 10% of the land, but paid no taxes
Second Estate: Nobility
Own 30% of the land, but paid no taxes
Hold the influential positions in French society
Third Estate: Commoners
Pay 100% of the taxes
Vast differences in occupation, education, and wealth
98% of the population, own 65% of the land
A financial crisis will lead to the French Revolution
1787 & 1788: Poor harvests lead to food shortages and unemployment
Many French peasants lay starving in the streets
Nobles still spend
Marie Antoinette

3. The Estates General French version of Parliament
Each estate has one vote
How is this unfair to the third estate?
Supported by Louis XVI
Third Estate wants a constitutional government where majority rules
Begins to draft Constitution
Return 3 days later to find themselves locked out. What do they do?
The Tennis Court Oath

4. What was the Tennis Court Oath?

5. The French Revolution Begins Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!
Louis XVI prepares to use force against the 3rd Estate, but something happens…
July 14, 1789: A mob of Parisians storm the Bastille. Why?
Symbol of royal power and oppression
Many political dissenters sent here

6. Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen
Equal rights for all Men
Freedoms of Speech and Press
Access to Public Office based on talent
End Tax Exemptions
What about Women ?
Olympe de Gouges

7. 1790 National Assembly sets up limited monarchy
King- But he and his family are virtually prisoners in Paris
Legislative Assembly to make laws

8. 1791 Discontent with new govt.
Catholic priests, nobles, lower classes who suffered economically, radicals who wanted more drastic solutions
King tries to flee & considered disloyal

9. 1792 Many European monarchies are uneasy because of the Revolution
France declares war on Austria
Does not fare well
Look for a scapegoat
The Paris Commune emerges
Sans-culottes
Takes King Louis captive and force the formation of the National Assembly

10. 1793 Nat’l convention splits into factions over fate of king
Girondins: Fear radicalism and want king alive
Mountain: Represent radicals and want king dead
Paris radicals convince convention to condemn king to death by guillotine
King’s execution outraged European monarchs

11. 1793, contd. European coalition set to invade
France reacts by giving more power to the Committee of Public Safety
Dominated by Maximilien Robespierre
Thus, the Reign of Terror
begins…

12. The Reign of Terror The End of Terror 1793-1794
Eventhough threats to France had been dealt with, Robespierre continues to massacre
National Convention condemns him to death by guillotine on July 28, 1794
Moderates take control
Establish the Directory to rule France…
Acts to defend France against foreign and domestic threats
Suspend all democracy
“Dechristianize” to assert reason
Revolutionary courts set up to prosecute enemies
40,000 die
16,000 die at the guillotine
This includes Queen Marie Antoinette and Olympe de Gouge

13.
New constitution establishes bicameral legislature: five directors act as executive committee—The Directory
Era of corruption & graft
Only military keeps Directory in power
Coup d’etat led by Napoleon Bonaparte seizes power

14. 1799-1815 Napoleon rules France
Product of Revolution: commoner who rose rapidly in ranks of military
Absolute power though France is a Republic
Crowns himself Emperor

15. Were ideals of Revolution maintained by Napoleon?
Made peace with Catholic Church
Napoleonic Code: codification of law
Equality before the law
Freedom of religion, opportunity, end to serfdom
Protection of property rights

16. Were ideals of Revolution maintained by Napoleon?
Developed efficient bureaucracy based on merit
Insisted on govt. censorship
Shut down many newspapers
Mail opened by police

17. Conquest of an Empire Master of Europe 1807-1812
Spread principles of French Revolution
Tried to destroy old European order

18. Why Napoleon’s Empire Collapsed
Survival of Great Britain
Force of nationalism
The unique cultural identity of a people based on common language, religion, and nat’l symbols