The French Revolution

Inspiration for the French Revolution The Enlightenment and the American Revolution influenced the French Revolution There was a huge imbalance between social classes (ranking of society depending on wealth and birth) Absolute Monarch caused many problems because of his weakness and extravagant spending

1) Enlightenment and American Influence Enlightenment’s ideas inspired the French to realize that they had Natural Rights (Life, Liberty, Property) The success of the American Revolution encouraged the French to believe they could have a Revolution

2) Social Class Conflict The Three Estates: The Three different Social Classes in France 1st: Clergy 2nd: Nobles (Aristocracy) 3rd: The peasants and the Middle Class (also called the Bourgeoisie)

2) Social Class Conflict France’s economy was bankrupt due to loans (huge debts) for the American Revolution, and because of the lavish lifestyle of French Nobility and Monarchy France’s population began to increase and there was not enough food to feed everyone which caused Famine (Starvation) and death

2) Social Class Conflict First Estate made up 2% Second Estates made up 2% of Population; Owned 40% of the land (1st 15 2nd 25) ; and Paid no Taxes Third Estate made up 96% of Population; Owned 60% of the land; and Paid All the TAXES

3) Conflict with Monarchy King did not address the unfair tax burden which was an underlying cause to the French Revolution Louis XVI was a tyrant (someone who missuses their power) Louis used his power to crush the rights of the 3rd Estate, while advancing the 1st and 2nd Estates.

3) Conflict with Monarchy Louis XVI was a good husband and father but not a very good king He and his family lived at Versailles and knew nothing of the suffering of the people

Let them Eat Cake

Calling the Estates General 1789 Louis XVI needed money because of all his reckless spending Louis calls a meeting of the Estates General (meeting of the 3 Estates) to raise money Instead of the vote being based on your Estates the third estate wanted every male to vote so they would have the majority The King refused to grant their request.

National Assembly When the King denied the 3rd Estates request they seceded (left) the Estate General and formed the National Assembly This Symbolized an end to Absolute Monarchy and the start of representative government in France

The Tennis Court Oath After 3 days of being shut out of the General Assembly the 3rd Estate meet on the King’s Tennis Court There they established a constitution for France The Tennis Court Oath and the French Constitution were both based on Locke’s ideas on the Social Contract

Storming the Bastille The Bastille was the symbol of the power of the French King The Bastille was a prison that held many political prisoners and used as an armory as well. On July 14,1789, A mob of peasants stormed the Bastille taking many weapons and freeing a few prisoners. Blood was shed – there was no going back now, this event represented the beginning of the French Revolution Today Bastille Day is a national Holiday of France celebrated on July 14th

The End of the Absolutism in France 1791 the French constitution was set aside and the National Assembly was finished The National Convention was then created. The National Convention established a Constitutional Monarchy which weakened the power of the French King.

The Movement needed a Slogan Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite: The French Slogan Liberty - Freedom Equality – No social classes Fraternity – Brotherhood The Purpose of the French Revolution was to protect the Human Rights of the French People (The basic rights given to all people) This is the basic idea of John Locke and Natural Rights

National Convention Started a Military Draft to raise an army to protect France Started to use the Guillotine, to strike fear into the Enemies with in France (anyone against the Revolution) Put the King and his family in prison to await their deaths by Guillotine

The Reign of Terror Robespierre (member of a radical revolutionary group, that was part of the national convention) took control of France and began executing anyone who could be an enemy to the Revolution beginning The Reign of Terror During The Reign of Terror 40,000 plus citizens were killed by the Guillotine (most were nobles, royal family)

Maximilien Robespierre Robespierre become the head of the Committee on Public Safety. Robespierre struck fear into everyone even the Committee on Public Safety, and the National Convention, in response they had Robespierre executed by the Guillotine

The Directory After Robespierre’s execution a group of 5 moderate men (middle of the road) formed the Directory This Ended the Reign of Terror.

The Downward Direction of the Directory 1799 with the help of Napoleon and the French army The Directory was overthrown The Directory was replaced by The Consulate (2 men, 1 was Napoleon) Napoleon quickly staged a coup d'état and became the sole ruler taking the title of First Consul

Napoleon as “First Consul”

Napoleonic Code Under Napoleon’s leadership he established: National Banking System Efficient Taxation System (which did away with the Estate System, everyone paid taxes) An end to Government Corruption (had to earn position in government not be born into it) The position of the Catholic Church A uniform system of laws known as (The Napoleonic Code)

Napoleon’s Reign Napoleon’s code developed based on the ideas of the Enlightenment Napoleon’s coup enabled his code of law to be established based on the ideas of the French Revolution- Liberty, fraternity, and equality 1804 Napoleon pulled a Rivardo Crowning himself Emperor for life

Order of the French Revolution Government National Assembly National Convention Committee on Public Safety Directory Consulate Napoleon