1. The French Revolution

2. The Story of Revolution

3. 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.

4. 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%

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

6. 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

7. 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?

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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

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

14. 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

15. 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

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

17. Questions?
What was the guillotine used for?

18. 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).

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

20. 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

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

22. 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”

23. 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.

24. The Age of Napoleon

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