French Revolution

TERROR T – The influence of the Enlightenment and American Revolution E – Estate System – 3rd Estate treated badly by 1st and 2nd R – Revolution begins – storming of the Bastille R – Reign of Terror – kills anyone against revolution O – Off with the absolute monarch’s head R – Rise of Napoleon – becomes dictator after coup d’etat

T – The Influence of the Enlightenment and American Revolution American Revolution was the French’s inspiration (if they can do it, so can we!) B. Enlightenment ideas inspired the French (equality, freedom, salons)

E – Estate System 3rd Estate was treated unfairly by 1st and 2nd Estates

Old Regime I. Three Estates A. First Estate – Clergy 1% of population owned 10% of all land in France Gave 2% ($) to government B. Second Estate – Nobles 2% of population – own 20% of land Paid no taxes HATED Enlightenment C. Third Estate – 97% of population Divided into 3 groups

Third Estate 1. Bourgeoisie – Middle Class 2. Workers 3. Peasants Loved Enlightenment Paid high taxes – no privileges 2. Workers Poorest group Fought for food 3. Peasants 80% of population 50% in taxes – Hated clergy!

The Estate System

The Nobles made up a majority of the First Estate. True False

R – Revolution Begins Many factors led to the beginning of the French Revolution This eventually culminated in the Storming of the Bastille.

II. Forces of Change A. Enlightenment and the American Revolution were the French people’s inspiration B. HUGE debt Heavy Taxes Bad Weather = Crop Failure– bread price 2x Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette’s debt Government debt doubles mainly due to Wars

Which of the following contributed to the start of the French Revolution? Financial Problems An hostile take over by another ruler. A monsoon killed a majority of the crops.

III. Louis XVI A. Ignored Advisors B. Marie Antoinette= “Madam Deficit” Gambled Heavily Bought Art Many Dresses

III. Louis XVI C. Solution-> Tax 2nd Estate Forced a meeting of the Estates General- Reps from each Estate (First meeting in 175 yrs. – Versailles) Each Estate = One vote(1st/ 2nd estates always out voted the 3rd)

IV. Revolution A. New ideas from 3rd Estate Meet together in one room Each DELEGATE gets a vote B. National Assembly (new name of 3rd Estate) Locked out of Assembly(meeting hall) Meet at a Tennis Court Tennis Court Oath– Develop a Constitution Louis’ guards surround Versailles for fear of an attack

In Review Louis XVI taxes 2nd estate to raise $ Old Regime Estates meet – 1 vote each 3rd estate doesn’t like this Come up with the idea of 1 vote per delegate 3rd estate renames itself, National Assembly Locked out by 1st and 2nd Tennis Court Oath – new constitution

IV. Revolution Citizens take up Arms!!!!

Storming of the Bastille Symbolic event of French Revolution July 14, 1789

Storming of the Bastille When did it happen? Why did it happen? What did it represent? What did it lead to?

Revolution Great Fear Citizens scared nobles would retaliate Women march on Versailles b/c of high bread prices Women demand Louis and Marie return to Paris Louis and Marie never return to Versailles - signaled the beginning of change in power and reform in France

Revolution Brings Reform and Terror

National Assembly Reforms France Declaration of the Rights of Man Inspired by the Declaration of Independence “Men are born and remain free and equal in rights.” -> “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression”

Reform in France Church was made to be a part of the state – Lost land and political independence (sold land to make money to pay off France’s debt) Many Peasants (who were part of the 3rd estate) opposed this idea

Louis makes a run for it! As the National Assembly made great changes – Louis felt he and his family were in great danger – tried to run away – was caught

France’s New Government Legislative Assembly created King was basically powerless Created laws Declared war

3 Groups in the Government 3 Groups formed within the Government 1) Radicals – sat on Left side – wanted great changes 2)Moderates – Center – wanted some changes but not as many as radicals 3) Conservatives – sat on right side – Wanted limited monarchy and few changes

Other Factions Emigr’es – Nobles who wanted to restore the Old Regime Sans – Culottes – Those without knee britches – wanted greater change to gov’t than revolution brought

Jacobins Take Control Jacobins heavily involved in gov’t changes Jean-Paul Marat – called for death for anyone who supported the king Supported Poor people’s cause

Other Factions Emigr’es – Nobles who wanted to restore the Old Regime Sans – Culottes – Those without knee britches – wanted greater change to gov’t than revolution brought

Weapon of Choice The Guillotine became Jacobins weapon of choice to kill people

Terror Grips France Maximilien Robespierre – Jacobin Leader Wanted to get rid of signs of France’s past Created calendar – divided year into 12 months/30 days – no Sundays (to get rid of religious references that were very powerful) Close churches

Robespierre Reign of Terror Robespierre ruled as a dictator as the leader of Committee of Public Safety Tried enemies in the morning and guillotined in the afternoon

Robespierre His Reign of Terror resulted in the death of: Louis XVI Maria Antoinette Up to 40,000 executed 85% were peasants or urban poor or middle class Reign of Terror ended with July28, 1794 when Robespierre was guillotine Fr. people were tired of Terror, high prices People looked for a change – Napoleon Bonaparte