1. The French Revolution
-Key Concepts-

2. I. Revolutionary Ideas

3. A. Liberty The notion of individual human rights
A new type of government in which the people are sovereign
The importance of a representative assembly
The importance of a written constitution
The notion of self-determination
Freedom to accumulate property

4. B. Equality Equality of rights and civil liberties
Equality before the law
No special privileges for the rich
Equality of opportunity
“Careers Open to Talent”

5. II. Roots of Liberalism Enlightenment Foundation
Locke’s Notion of the Rights of Englishmen

6. III. “A Dual Revolution”
The French Revolution was the inaugural European revolution
The French Revolution and the Industrial Revolution together transformed the western world
This “Dual Revolution” changed everything politically, socially and economically

7. IV. “The Atlantic Revolution”
French Revolution was a part of a whole series of revolutions which took place during the late 18th century
--Political agitation in England, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Hungary, Poland and the American colonies
One big movement of revolutionary agitation

8. A. British North America
“All Men are Created Equal”
The significance of the American constitution
The impact of the American Revolution

9. C. The French Revolution
More fundamental and profound consequences than the American Revolution
France = most powerful and populous state in Europe
Massive social revolution
Worldwide impact
Becomes model for future revolutions

10. V. The Events of the French Revolution
Watch for the different revolutions within the Revolution!

11. A. Origins Began as a revolt of the aristocracy
Attempt to capitalize on the financial woes of the monarchy
Only solution = tax reform and a direct tax on all property
Aristocracy refused and forces the issue

12. B. The Estates-General
An old feudal assembly that had not met since 1614
Three Estates: Clergy, Nobility, All Others
The significance of the voting procedure
The miscalculation and lack of social awareness of the aristocracy

13. C. The Third Estate Who were they?
Third Estate was dominated by the middle class
Blending of aristocratic and bourgeois classes by 1789
Middle class = Big Winners
Revolutionary goals of the middle class

14. E. “Revolutionaries in the Streets”
Who were they?
“Sans-culottes” (without knee britches)
Picked up the ideas and slogans of the Revolution from the more educated leadership of lawyers and journalists

15. What were the Motivations of these Revolutionaries?
Poverty and Hunger
Low wages and fear of unemployment
Heightened expectations and the exposure to a political perspective
-- “Cahiers”
Strong dislike for and distrust of the wealthy

16. F. A Case Study: Storming the Bastille
Events of the night of July 13, 1789
Reasons for the attack on the Bastille the next morning
The stubbornness of the governor of the fortress
Celebrations on the night of July 14th
Sparks tremendous popular revolution all over France

17. G. “The Great Fear” Revolutionary agitation in the countryside
Rumors of Royalist troops becoming wandering vandals
Fear breeds fear and peasants start marching
Within 3 weeks of July 14, the countryside of France had been completely changed

18. Declaration of the Rights of Man—August 27, 1789

19. H. The Court Returns to Paris
Mounting unemployment and hunger in Paris in the fall of 1789
“October Days”
-- “The point is that we want bread!”
The Royal Family returns to Paris on October 6, 1789

20. I. The Consolidation of the Liberal Revolution
Events from October, 1789 through September, 1791
Abolition of the French nobility as a legal order
Constitutional Monarchy established
Economic centralization
Nationalization of the Church
--Stage set for subsequent civil war

21. J. Popular Political Mobilization
Revolutionary Talk
--More than 500 new newspapers
--Oath of Loyalty
-- “Liberte, Equalite, Fraternite!”
Revolutionary Symbols
Revolutionary Clubs
--The Jacobins
Revolutionary Leaders

22. K. Growing Radicalism Reasons: --Snowball Effect
--Unsatisfied Expectations
--Outbreak of War
Results:
--Increasing Violence
--Change in Political Leadership

23. L. Robespierre’s Reign of Terror
The Committee of Public Safety
The Concept of “Total War”
Maximum price ceilings on certain goods
Nationalization of Small Workshops

24. L. The Reign of Terror (cont)
Execution of 40,000 “Enemies of the Nation”
Stress on radical definition of equality
Wanted a legal maximum on personal wealth
Wanted a regulation of commercial profits
End of Robespierre’s dictatorship on July 28, 1794

25. M. The Directory and Napoleon Bonaparte
Napoleon’s Rise to Power