Revolution Brings Reform & Terror The revolutionary govt of France made reforms but also used terror and violence to retain power.

Declaration of the Rights of Man Statement of revolutionary ideals “men are born and remain free & equal in rights” Guaranteed equal justice, freedom of speech, freedom of religion “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” becomes slogan of the Revolution

State-Controlled Church Church lost lands & political independence Why? Economics! Delegates don’t want to keep taxing bourgeoisie (strong supporters) Delegates willing to sell off church lands to pay France’s large debt

Church & Peasants Peasants rally to support parish priests Assembly’s move to make church part of state in accord with Enlightenment philosophy offends conservative Catholics Changes drive wedge between peasants & bourgeoisie Peasants start to oppose further revolutionary changes…

Louis tries to escape! Tries to escape to Austrian Netherlands Recognized at the border This increased the influence of his enemies and seals his own doom!

A Limited Monarchy Constitution strips king of much of his authority Gives Legislative Assembly power to create French law King still has executive power to enforce laws Sept 1791 – National Assembly completes new constitution & hands power to new assembly called Legislative Assembly Has power to create laws & approve or prevent any war king declared on other nations

Factions Split France Food shortages & govt debt still a problem Angry mobs want more liberty, more equality & more bread! Revolution leaders (Legislative Assembly) into three groups: – Radicals – Moderates – Conservatives

Legislative Assembly RadicalsModeratesConservatives Sit on left side of hall; called “left wing” Sit in center; called “centrists” Sit on right side of hall; called “right wings” Opposed king & idea of monarchy Want some changes in government but not as many as radicals Upheld idea of limited monarchy Wanted sweeping changes in govt and proposed that common people have full power in a republic Wanted few changes in government

Two Extreme Groups Emigres Nobles & others who fled France during peasant uprisings On the extreme right Want to undo Revolution and restore Old Regime Sans-culottes Extreme left “those without knee breeches” Parisian wage-earners & small shopkeepers Want greater voice in govt Lower food prices End to food shortage

War with Austria April 1792 – Prussia & Austria try to have Louis put back on throne… Legislative Assembly declares war Euro leaders believe they’ll help Louis and preserve their own monarchs

The War Prussians advanced on Paris & threaten to destroy if any revolutionary harms royal family Parisians furious – storm into Tuileries and imprisoned Louis, Marie & children Citizens take law into their own hands – raid prisons, murder 1,000+ Legislative Assembly sets constitution aside King declared deposed Dissolves assembly Calls for election of new legislative (National Convention)

National Convention (Sept 1792) New govt body Abolishes monarchy Declares France a republic Adult male citizens given right to vote & hold office Women not given the right to vote…

Jacobins Radical political organization Led by Jean-Paul Marat Called for death of all who supported king National Convention tries Louis for treason – found guilty & sentenced to death Jan 21, 1793 beheaded Want to build “republic of virtue” - wipe out all trace of the past Changed calendar: no Sundays since religion was old fashion and dangerous Close all churches in Paris

Robespierre & Reign of Terror July 1793: Robespierre governs France as dictator…period known as Reign of Terror Chief task: protection Revolution from enemies “enemies” often tried in the am and guillotined in pm Terror justified as it enabled French citizens to remain true to ideals of Revolution

“Enemies of the Revolution” Enemies are fellow who challenge Robespierre for power most receive death sentences – only crime is that they were “less radical than Robespierre” Reign of Terror Victims: – Mary Antoinette – Georges Danton (radical Jacobian – devoted to the poor) – Approximately 40,000 killed – 85% peasants or urban poor or middle class These are the people who the Revolution was supposed to have helped!

End of Terror National Convention turns on Robespierre Reign of terror ends July 28, 1794 Public opinion changes Tired of Terror, high prices for food When clearing Robespierre's neck the executioner tore off the bandage that was holding his shattered jaw in place, producing an agonized scream until the fall of the blade silenced him.

New Plan of Govt (Attempt 3) 1795: power in hands of upper middle class Two house legislature Executive body of five men (the Directory) Five men were moderates…some corrupt & getting richer