1. Another Revolution-Why the French Fought for Independence
Seven Years War in France had devastated the economy
Growing dissent among the people aimed
at Louis XVI who would not have a ruling Parliament
Louis XVI unwilling to change his rule
to allow for people to flourish (the Enlightenment)
People resisted notion that monarchs had divine rule and that all citizens could have “Natural Rights”

2. Mistakes by Louis XVI that Led to his Downfall
HUGE Tax Increase
Louis XVI built the Palace of Versailles (7-10% of the National Treasury was spent)
2) High taxes were paid by the French peasants
3) Corruption of Province officials (they could collect and raise taxes for no reason)

3. The French Revolution Began in 1793 after Louis XVI was executed
Reign of Terror (17,000 people executed by the French Revolutionaries)
“Reign of Terror” was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution incited by conflict between two rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of the revolution"
Federalists in the United States opposed the violence in France
Thomas Jefferson argued that this was to be expected when people were fighting for their freedom
France and Great Britain were at war in 1793 (United Stated under George Washington, remained neutral)
Began in 1793 after Louis XVI was executed
Reign of Terror (17,000 people executed by the French Revolutionaries)
“Reign of Terror” was a period of violence that occurred after the onset of the French Revolution incited by conflict between two rival political factions, the Girondins and the Jacobins, and marked by mass executions of "enemies of the revolution"
Federalists in the United States opposed the violence in France
Thomas Jefferson argued that this was to be expected when people were fighting for their freedom
France and Great Britain were at war in 1793 (United Stated under George Washington, remained neutral)

4. The French and American Revolution's (What Did They Have in Common?)
THE AMERICAN SIDE
THE FRENCH SIDE
The colonists did not trust King George III to act in their best interests
Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Most Americas supported the French Revolution
Colonists were fighting against a monarch
King George III wanted to unfairly tax the colonists
British had a large debt from the French and Indian War
The French people did not trust Louis XVI and his advisors
Wrote the Declaration of Rights of the Man and Citizen
French supported the American Revolution (anything to make the British look bad)
French people fighting against a monarch
Louis XVI wanted to unfairly tax the French peasants
French had a huge debt to pay from the Seven Years War

5. Who Was Maximilien Robespierre?
Was a Lawyer and Politician
Defended the poorest people in French society
Nicknamed “The Incorruptible”
Encouraged the execution of Louis XVI and for the citizens to fight the Monarchy
Beginning in September 1793, over 300,000 enemies of the Revolution were arrested
17,000 executed by the Guillotine

6. Robespierre: Friend or Foe?
During this time period, Robespierre was able to eliminate his political opponents.
“The secret of freedom lies in educating people, whereas the secret of tyranny is in keeping them ignorant.”
-Maximilien Robespierre
Basically, Robespierre became a
Dictator
Robespierre was arrested on
July 27, 1784
Executed by the Guillotine
on July 28, 1794