The French Revolution

Why was the French Revolution more important the the American Revolution?

More profound in its consequences

Attacked privileged institutions

Promoted idea of nationalism, or intense loyalty to the state

Extended Manhood suffrage

French Society

First Estate Second Estate Third Estate

Responses to the need for change in EuropeConservative – restore

monarchy; loyal to the church

Liberal – wanted to limit state power; sought economic reforms

Radical – wanted wider voting rights; advocated for lower classes

Bishop Bossuet – Sacredness of Royal Power (second half of the 1600s)

Louis XVI’s Speech – June 1789

National Assembly – Declaration of Human Rights August 1789 The representatives of the French people,

organized as a National Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties; in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may thus be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shall tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all. Therefore the National Assembly recognizes and proclaims, in the presence and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the following rights of man and of the citizen:

List of Grievances and Petition of Women - 1789

Paris Guarded by the People –July 1789

Storming of the Bastille

National Assembly Passes New Constitution – declares war 1791Limited the power of

the monarchyRestructured French

politics and societyAustria and Prussia

threaten to intervene

Freedom is not for everyone – Jean Marat November 1792

The Constitution Cannot be Fulfilled – St. Just October 1793

Luis XVI executed – August 1792

National Convention and Robespierre - 1792•Radical “Mountain” faction•Committee of Public Safety•Reign of Terror

Revolutionary Committee - 1793

Robespierre executed

More conservative constitution passed

New executive authority: the Directory

1797 – end of the republican phase of the Revolution

NapoleonPopular

AuthoritarianismProvided internal

stabilityNegotiated

agreement with the Catholic Church

(Concordat of 1801)

NapoleonPromulgated Civil

Code of 1804Declared Himself

Emperor in 1804Success of France

depended on military and diplomacy

Alliance of Russian, Austrian, Prussian, and British forces defeats Nap. in 1814

Napoleon

Congress of ViennaComprehensive

Peace SettlementRestored French

MonarchyRedrew bordersEstablished “Holy

Alliance” of Austria, Russia, and Prussia