1. Lesson 2 French Revolution
Unit 4: Revolutions
Lesson 2
French Revolution

2. What I need to know
How Enlightenment philosophers impacted the development of political and societal trends.
The variety of opinions demonstrated by Enlightenment philosophy about the most effective structure for government and society.
The role of absolutism as a challenge to the new political thought of the Enlightenment.
The democratic ideals discussed by Enlightenment philosophers and the impact Western culture.
The shift from government power being absolute and from God to it being derived from the common man and the varying perspectives on this during the Enlightenment.
The impact that literature and art had in revolutionizing society in Western countries.

3. Objectives
 1. People around the world are rebelling against their governments as a result of societal and economic inequalities.
2. Growing class divisions led to conflict as people rebelled against their government.
3. Views of the role and requirements of citizens were challenged through various revolutions in Europe and its colonies.
4. Government exploitation by European powers through taxation and economic inequalities inspired revolution.
5. Cultural division between upper and lower classes in Europe and its colonies incited rebellion against established government.

4. Guiding Questions
What political and social theories from the Enlightenment influenced the American and French Revolutions?
H.2.1-How were French revolutionaries influenced by the democratic ideals of the American Revolution?
C&G.1.3-Should all citizens have equal rights regardless of economic or educational background?
C&G.1.3-Do greater individual freedoms result in a more stable system of government?
E.1.2-How does scarcity of resources affect relationships between various groups of people?
E.1.2-How do economic disparities result in political unrest and revolution?
How did the French social hierarchy contribute to the division and eventual breakdown of French society?

5. What led to it Enlightenment Caste system of society
Wars and the assistance of American revolution leads to debt
Poor harvest of grain
Increased taxation with the wealthy exempt

6. Reasons for revolt Increased taxation with the exemption of the rich
Louis XVI rise to king and dismissal of court
Poor harvest and increased grain prices leads to bread revolts

7. Timeline of Events 1775- Bread riots
1778- France becomes involved in American revolution
1781- Book published criticizing the government and garnishes interest with the public
1887- Louis dismisses all notables who were assisting him in fiscal reform. Dissolves all assemblies. Request for loans are presented which louis rejects
1789: Re’veillon Riots- Due to food shortage and low wages- troops kill 25
1789- Estates-General meet for first time since third estate (commoners) begins to meet independently and declares itself the National Assembly- Tennis court Oath taken –Lafayette appointed the commander of the national guard
July Beginning of the great fear. Peasant revolt against feudalism

8. Timeline of Events
1789- August: Surrender of feudal rights- Declaration of Rights of man
Sept. Louis refuses to sign rights
Oct. outbreak of mob
1790- Parliament is abolished
1791- Day of daggers
Aug. slave revolts
Sept. Constitution is accepted by the king
1792: Food Riots – March Guillotine is official means of execution. Aug. Revolutionary commune upraises. Storming of the palace. Louis is arrested. Convention summoned. Sept. massacres of all prisoners. Legislative Assembly falls

9. Timeline of Events 1793: Revolution against the new order of Jacobins.
Sept. Reign of terror begins . Oct. King and queen are executed. Few men elected to govern all and “clean house” of the trouble makers. Man named Robespierre takes over and kicks out the others. Becomes a dictator. Creates a huge inflation problem and executes any who talks against him. Eventually a Coup’ over takes him and he is executed as well.
1794- Lots of people killed – White terror beings- reason against Jacobins. Nov. they dissolve
1795: convention and constitution is created and crumbles again
1797: Coup against the gov’t and treaty signed
1798: France claims a republic
1799: Another coup against the government
1799: Napoleon arrives as leader and constitution formed

10. Outcome of the war
At face value, it seems like a total loss. Went from an absolute monarch to a dictator
But it actually unified France
Destroyed feudalism and caste systems
Created a more democratic government with a system of elections
Created a sense of nationalism
Expansion and increased power of France due to Napoleon and increased colonization globally which pulled France out of debt.

11. Important People
King Louis XIV: King of France who refused to keep his promises and was ultimately killed by his people during the revolution
Marie Antoinette: Wife of King Louis who was hated, captured, and killed by the people during the revolution. Became the figure head for extravagant spending and lack of care for the Common man. “Let them eat cake”
Robespierre: Became the leader after the overthrow of the King. He was the leader of the radical Jacobins who ultimately became a dictator and was other thrown by the people.
Jacobins: Radical political group who originally formed to create a constitutional monarchy. Made up of working class men. They are the group from which the reign of terror originated and was enacted through. Created a strong and powerful government.
Napoleon Bonaparte: Became King after the overthrow of Robespierre. Ultimately ended the French Revolution. After the Coup’ he dubbed himself King. Skilled military enforcer in which he was able to expand France’s power.

12. Review: Guiding Questions
What political and social theories from the Enlightenment influenced the American and French Revolutions?
H.2.1-How were French revolutionaries influenced by the democratic ideals of the American Revolution?
C&G.1.3-Should all citizens have equal rights regardless of economic or educational background?
C&G.1.3-Do greater individual freedoms result in a more stable system of government?
E.1.2-How does scarcity of resources affect relationships between various groups of people?
E.1.2-How do economic disparities result in political unrest and revolution?
How did the French social hierarchy contribute to the division and eventual breakdown of French society?