SOL 6e French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution Influence of Enlightenment ideas Influence of the American Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution Class inequality 1st Estate (Clergy) 2nd Estate (Nobles) 3rd Estate (Bourgeoisie[middle class- bankers, merchants, manufacturers, lawyers, doctors, journalists, and professors], rural peasants, urban workers) National debt Bad harvests (famine)

Events leading up to the Revolution 1789 3rd Estate seeks reforms in voting, taxes, freedom of the press and regular meetings of the Estates General June- 3rd Estate declares itself the National Assembly (representing the people) Tennis Court Oath- swore “never to separate and to meet whenever the circumstances might require until we have established a sound and just constitution”

Events of the French Revolution Storming of the Bastille The Bastille was a political prison for individuals who opposed the absolutism of the monarchy, and its fall was a symbolic beginning of the revolution. Bastille Day, July 14th, is similar to July 4th in the United States.

French Revolution Phases of Revolution: National Assembly (1789-1791) Radical Phase (1792-1794) Directory (1795-1799) Age of Napoleon (1799-1815)

Declaration of the Rights of Man August 1789- National Assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen Modeled on U.S. Constitution All men were “born and remain free and equal in rights” They enjoyed natural rights “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression”

Declaration of the Rights of Man All male citizens were equal before the law All men have equal right to hold public office Freedom of religion Taxes to be levied according to ability to pay

Declaration of the Rights of Man Principles created into the slogan of the Revolution “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Women were not given rights (anger) Louis XVI did not want to accept these reforms, 1st and 2nd Estates continue to live lavishly

Women March on Versailles October 5, 1789-6,000 women marched 13 miles from Paris to Versailles Women demanded the king return to Paris Anger towards Marie Antoinette and her lavish lifestyle (“Let them eat cake”)

State vs. Church French Catholic Church is placed under State control Dissolved convents and missionaries- land is sold to pay off huge national debt ***Other European nations tried to limit the “French Plague” or revolutionary ideas***

Civil Constitution of 1791 Set up a limited monarchy Legislative Assembly can make laws, collect taxes, and decide on issues of war and peace, lawmakers were elected by tax-paying male citizens over 25 To many this signified the end of the Revolution Newly elected Legislative Assembly lasted less than a year

National Convention Radicals take control of the Legislative Assembly Create the National Convention equal suffrage to all men not just landowners Abolished the monarchy and nobility Seized land of nobles Created a republic-Republic of France

Committee of Public Safety 12 members had absolute power to “save the revolution” All citizens had to contribute to the war effort In charge of trials and executions Leader of the committee: Maximilen Robespierre “the incorruptible” Rousseau’s idea of general will as the source of legitimate law

Reign of Terror The Reign of Terror was an attempt to equalize every person and create a republic. September 1793-July 1794 300,000 were arrested as traitors to the Revolution, 17,000 were executed Guillotine became the symbol of the Revolution

Reign of Terror After a year, the National Convention turned on the Committee Members were arrested and executed Executions slowed dramatically

Execution of Royals Louis XVI- executed January 1793 Marie Antoinette-executed October 1793

Outcomes of the French Revolution End of the absolute monarchy of Louis XVI The execution of Louis XVI War with neighboring countries, who feared this revolution would spread to them The rise of Napoleon as a strong figure who could bring order out of chaos.