1. Revolutions: French It was the best of times,
it was the worst of times,
it was the age of wisdom,
it was the age of foolishness,
it was the epoch of belief,
it was the epoch of incredulity…
-Charles Dickens
A Tale of Two Cities

2. The French Revolution
King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette, the French Royal family. Enjoyed the luxuries of being Royal

3. Causes of the French Revolution
Division of French Society
Fiscal Crisis
Economic Depression

4. Division of French Society
First Estate
Clergy
Made up less than 1% of the population
Owned 10% of land and were exempt from taxes
Extracted wealth from society through tithes and church fees

5. Division of French Society cont.
Second Estate
Hereditary Nobility
Made up 1% of the population
Controlled 30% of the land

6. Division of French Society cont.
Third Estate
“Ordinary People”
Everybody else from Bourgeoisie to homeless
98% of the population
Owned 55% of land
Not exempt from taxes
Peasants compromised 80% of the population

7. Fiscal Crisis French government was heavily in debt Why?
French and Indian War
Lost colonies/territory
American Revolution
Spending on palaces and other luxuries

8. Economic Depression
Majority of the population was starving, unemployed, and homeless
Price of bread was continuously rising
Commoners spent 80% of their budgets on food
Clergy increased dues and fees
Eventually, the Third Estate erupted in violent protest

9. The French Urban Poor

10. Division of French Society

11. Voting Power Amongst Three Estates
How is this unfair to the Third Estate?

12. King Louis XVI Takes Action
Meeting of the Estates General
Versailles, May of 1789
Cahiers- book of
Grievances
Fairer taxes
Freedom of
press
Wide array of
grievances
Last time it was called into session was 1614!

13. Where is the Tax Money?

14. “The Third Estate Awakens”
The commoners finally presented their credentials not as delegates of the Third Estate, but as “representative of the nation”
They proclaimed themselves the “National Assembly” of France

15. The Tennis Court Oath June 20, 1789 New National Assembly vowed they would not rest until they drew up a constitution for France

16. Declaration of the Rights of Man
National Assembly setting out that all men are equal and have rights.
Took notice of the Declaration of Independence and the ideas of enlightenment thinkers like Locke and Rousseau

17. Rumors and Popular Uprisings During the French Revolution
The Storming of the Bastille
“The Great Fear”

18. The Storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789
A rumor that the king was planning to arrest the National Assembly
Stormed the Bastille
18 died
73 wounded
Looking for weapons
to defend themselves
but found nothing.
This event served as
the symbol of the
revolution

19. The Great Fear
Beginning of revolts, primarily in rural areas and small towns.
It was a time where peasants rose up against the nobility and attacked their homes and destroyed their things.

20. Radical Days Discussion
Is a democratic government ever justified in using non-democratic means to protect itself and ensure its survival?
“Terror without virtue is fatal. Virtue without terror is powerless. Terror is nothing but prompt, severe, and unbending justice.”
Maximilien Robespierre

21. Capture of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette at Verennes

22. Downfall of the Monarchy and another Government
The French Republic
Led by National Convention
Radical (this time became known as the “Radical Days)
January 1793 King Louis XVI executed for treason
October 1793 Marie Antoinette executed
Why?
Reign of Terror

23. Execution of the King and Queen

24. France at War at Home and Abroad
King had tried to convince Prussia, Britain, the Netherlands, and Spain to help crush the revolution but they could not prior to Louis XVI execution
Committee of Public Safety- determined who was for and against the revolutionary cause.
Headed by Robespierre
Prepared France for an all-out war at home and abroad

25. Reign of Terror Reign of Terror
National Convention sought out “traitors” and gave them hasty trials
“Perish the Traitors!”
40,000 people died

26. End of the Reign of Terror
With the massive amount of death and destruction, many French moderates grew weary of Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety
Robespierre and his followers executed by 1795
The Revolution now entered another phase

27. Yet another government
The Directory
Produced the Constitution of 1795
Established a 5 man Directory and an elected two-house legislature
Held power
Weak, dictatorial, corrupt
Eventually, gives way to a popular military hero, Napoleon Bonaparte