The French Revolution

The Story of Revolution

The Old Regime By the 1770s, the France of the Middle Ages, The Old Regime, still survived. The people of France were divided into three estates (large social class). King Louis XVI would soon be besieged with calls for reforms.

Bourgeoisie (Middle Class) The Estates First Estate Second Estate Third Estate People in Estate High Clergy & Priests Rights Paid NO Taxes Nobility Bourgeoisie (Middle Class) Peasants Doctors Merchants Professionals Paid ALL Taxes NO Privileges 1% 2% 97%

Questions? Describe the distribution of the French population across the 3 estates?

The meeting of the Estates General May 5, 1789 1789 – The meeting of the Estates General – legislative body of France The delegates of the third estate insisted that the three orders meet together and that the vote be taken by head, rather than by order. The King refused to grant their request. The third estate refused to budge. The meeting of the Estates General May 5, 1789

Questions? What is the Estates General? Why do you think the 3rd Estates wanted the vote to be taken by head not by each estate?

Beginning of the Revolution The members of the Third Estate demanded more power and rights and formed the National Assembly. June 17, 1789 – delegates of the Third Estate voted to establish the National Assembly – this is the first act of the French Revolution Delegates Established the Tennis Court Oath The Tennis Court Oath

The Storming of the Bastille Louis XVI attempts to make peace with the Third Estate by ordering the other two estates to join the National Assembly Rumors begin of foreign troops coming to kill French citizens The Bastille - medieval fortress

The Storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789 – a mob overtakes the Bastille – a French prison – in order to get gun powder. The Bastille falls to the control of the citizens and the Revolution has begun. The fall of the Bastille

Questions? Why is the storming of the Bastille an significant event in the French Revolution?

Reforms of the Assembly August 27, 1789 – The Assembly adopts the Declaration of Rights of Man All men have Natural Rights Government protects Natural Rights All male equality under the law Free to practice any religion Tax based on what people could afford Uses America as a model Liberty, Equality, & Fraternity The Declaration of the Rights of Man

Questions? Where do you think the ideas for the Declaration of Rights and Man came from?

Other Changes Made By The Assembly A limited constitutional monarchy is created – stripping the king of most of his powers September 1791, the National Assembly finishes the constitution and gives the power to the Legislative Assembly The Legislative Assembly is given power to make laws and approve or prevent any war declared by the king

The National Convention 1791 – A new government is elected - The National Convention Radical groups begin to form, mobs became more common and had more real power than the government September 1791 – The National Convention abolishes the monarchy and declares France a Republic

Death of Louis XVI 1793 – Louis XVI is tried and convicted of treason He is sentenced to death by the guillotine

Questions? What was the guillotine used for?

Struggle for Power Because of threats from foreign armies and domestic mobs there is a struggle for power Maximilien Robespierre gains power Robespierre wipes out all traces of the monarchy and religion (Ex. Sunday was removed from the calendar because it was considered religious and church were also closed).

Questions? Who gains power in France and how do you think he wiped out all traces of the monarchy?

The Reign of Terror Summer 1793 – Robespierre becomes the leader of the Committee of Public Safety The committee would decide who was an enemy of the state of France Robespierre become a dictator and his reign becomes known as the Reign of Terror The 4 R’s… Robespierre Radical Reign of Terror Republic

Questions? What is the main goal of the Committee of Public Safety?

Victims of Terror The most famous was Marie Antoinette, who was the widow of the king Even those who helped with the revolution were put to death for not being “Radical Enough”

The End of the Reign of Terror By July 1794 – no one was safe from Robespierre The National Convention turns on Robespierre and he is sentenced to death (Beheading) – July 28, 1794 1795 – A new government is formed A two hours legislative body and a five man executive called The Directory Napoleon Bonaparte is put in charge of France’s army.

The Age of Napoleon

Questions? Why did the French Revolution follow the path that it did?