1. The French Revolution

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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.

9. 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

10. Let them Eat Cake

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

20. 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

25. 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)

27. 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

28. 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.

29. 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

30. Napoleon as “First Consul”

31. 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)

32. 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

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