The French Revolution1789-1799

What were the Causes of the French Revolution?

French Society on the Eve of the Revolution

Old Regime

Louis XVI

The French Monarchy1775 - 1793

Marie Antoinette and Louis XVIPojerPojer

French Society in the 1700s The First Estate---the clergy of the Roman

Catholic Church They did not pay taxes. Members of the clergy could only be tried for

crimes in Church courts. The Church owned about a tenth of all French

land and received huge incomes from rents, taxes and fees.

Some Church officials were corrupt and extravagant.

French Society in the 1700sThe Second Estate---the nobles

The nobles did not pay a fair share of the taxes and still collected feudal dues from the peasants.

The nobles held the highest positions in army and government.

Many nobles were thoughtless, irresponsible, and extravagant.

French society in the 1700sThe Third Estate---the common people of

FranceThe bourgeoisie were the city dwelling middle

class (often wealthy and educated).The laborers and artisans of the cities were

also part of the Third Estate.The peasants worked the land and paid the

heaviest taxes and tithes. They made up the majority of the Third Estate.

The CommonersThird Estate

97% of the French population

The Nobility- Second Estate2% of the population

The Clergy – First Estate 1% of the population

Social Classes (Estates) in France Social Classes (Estates) in France

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The Growing Discontent in France The rapid growth of the French population made

it difficult for families feed their children.The price of food and clothing began to rise.Nobles, clergy and some bourgeoisie began to

raise rents and dues.Artisans found food prices rising higher than

wages.The bourgeoisie wanted political power equal to

their economic strength.The nobles and higher clergy resented the fact

that the French kings had become so powerful.The spread of ideas of the Enlightenment

increased dissatisfaction with the system.

The Financial Crisis of the French Monarchy

In 1774 when Louis XVI came to the throne he inherited a bankrupted treasury.

The wars of Louis XIV had left a huge debt.The debt was increased by French assistance

to the American Revolution.Even with heavy taxes there was not enough

money to run the government because the wealthiest people were free from taxes.

Where is the tax money?

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France’s Financial Problems

“By 1786 banks began to refuse to lend money to the ailing French government. The economy suffered a further blow when crop failures caused bread shortages in 1788 and 1789.”

World History

Urban Commoner’sBudget:

– Food 80%– Rent 25%– Tithe 10%– Taxes 35%– Clothing 20%

– TOTAL 170%

King’s Budget:– Interest 50%– Army 25%– Versailles 25%– Coronation 10%– Loans 25%– Admin. 25%

– TOTAL 160%

Financial Problems in France (1789)

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The French Urban Poor

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% of Income Spent on Bread

1787

1788

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The Estates General 1789

“The privileged First and Second Estates refused to aid the government. Louis was forced to summon the Estates General. This was the only way he could get additional taxes.”World History

Convening the Estates General May, 1789

Last time it was called into session was 1614!PojerPojer

The CommonersThird Estate

The NobilitySecond Estate

The ClergyFirst Estate

The Suggested Voting Pattern:

Voting by Estates

Louis XIV insisted that voting be based on the Estates with each Estate receiving one vote.

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CommonersThird Estate

NobilitySecond Estate

ClergyFirst Estate

The Number of Representativesin the Estates General: Vote by

Head!

300 Delegates

300 Delegates

648 Delegates

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Emmanuel Joseph Sieyes

1st What is the Third Estate? Everything!

2nd What has it been heretofore in the political order? Nothing!

3rd What does it demand? To become something therein!

Abbé Sieyès1748-1836PojerPojer

What is the Third Estate?

The French RevolutionPhase One (The Bourgeoisie Revolution)

Tennis Court OathJune 20, 1789June 20, 1789

Storming the Bastille July 14, 1789

A rumor was spread that the king was planning a military coup against the National Assembly. The people of Paris decided to arm themselves.

18 died.

73 wounded.

7 guards killed.

It held 7 prisoners 5 ordinary criminals and 2 madmen.

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The Great Fear-The Peasant Revolt (July, 1789)

Rumors spread that the feudal nobility [the Rumors spread that the feudal nobility [the aristosaristos] were ] were sending hired brigands to attack peasants. Peasants sending hired brigands to attack peasants. Peasants armed themselves and drove the feudal landlords off armed themselves and drove the feudal landlords off their property.their property.PojerPojer

National AssemblyNational Assembly1789 - 17911789 - 1791

August Decrees 1789 The Renunciation of Aristocratic

Privileges!

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

August 26, 1789 Liberty!

Freedom from oppression!

Thomas Jefferson was in Paris at this time. He helped write the Declaration of Rights.

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March of the Women to VersaillesOctober, 1789

The women forced the Royal Family to return to Paris with them.

A spontaneous demonstration of Parisian women demanding bread

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The Government Moves to Paris (October,1789)

The king and his family was forced to move to Paris and reside at the Tuileries Palace. Anti-royalists watched the royal family’s every move. The National Assembly moved to Paris a few days later.

Political Reforms and the Catholic Church

“The Civil Constitution of the Clergy was a measure which placed the French Church under government control.”

New Relations Between Church and State The government paid the salaries of the French

clergy and maintained the churches. The Church was reorganized:

Parish priests were elected by the district assemblies.

Bishops were named by the department assemblies.

The Pope had NO voice in the appointment of the French clergy.

It transformed France’sRoman Catholic Churchinto a branch of the state!

Pope Pius VIPope Pius VI[1775-1799][1775-1799]

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How to Finance the New Government?

Confiscate Church Lands (1790)

One of the most controversial decisions of the entire revolutionary period.

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The French Constitution of 1791:A Bourgeois (Middle Class)

Government The king received the “suspensive” veto. This

veto could prevent the passage of laws for four years.

The king could not pass laws. His ministers were responsible for their own

actions.

A permanent, elected, single chamber called the Legislative Assembly.

The Legislative Assembly had the power of taxation. An independent

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The French Constitution of 1791:A Bourgeois (Middle Class)

Government“Active” Citizen: A male who paid taxes amounting to three days labor could vote.

One third of adult males were denied the franchise (vote).

Domestic servants were also excluded.

A newly elected LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

GOAL Make sure that the country was not turned over to the mob!

GOAL Make sure that the country was not turned over to the mob!

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The Royal Family Attempts to Flee June, 1791-The royal family tried

to escape from France.

The royal family headed toward the Luxembourg border. They planned to escape to Austria.

The King was recognized at Varennes, near the border and forced to return to Paris. Louis reluctantly accepted the Constitution.

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Louis XVI “Accepts” the Constitution

and the National Assembly.

The Doomed Government-The King Walking a Tightrope

The new limited monarchy had little chance of success.

Most people distrusted the king. Popular opinion was leaning toward the

creation of a Republic.

The French RevolutionPhase Two (The Convention and the Reign of Terror)

http://www.seattlecatholic.com/a050413.html

How did the Radicals take over the Revolution?

War!“Fearing that Austria would try to reinstate Louis, the revolutionary leaders declared war on Austria. War threw France into upheaval. The king and his family were imprisoned and the radicals backed by the Paris crowds took over the Assembly and called for a National Convention to create a new constitution. They extended the vote to all males.”World History

The National Convention(September, 1792)

The first act of the National Convention was to abolish the monarchy.

The National Convention (The Republic)Girondin Rule: 1792-1793Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794 (“Reign of Terror”)Thermidorian Reaction: 1794-1795The Directory 1795-1799

Attitudes Attitudes & actions & actions

of of monarchymonarchy& court& court

Attitudes Attitudes & actions & actions

of of monarchymonarchy& court& court

Fear ofFear ofCounter-Counter-RevolutiRevoluti

onon

Fear ofFear ofCounter-Counter-RevolutiRevoluti

onon

ReligioReligiousus

divisiodivisionsns

ReligioReligiousus

divisiodivisionsns

PoliticPoliticalal

divisiodivisionsns

PoliticPoliticalal

divisiodivisionsns

WarWarWarWar

EconoEconomicmic

CrisesCrises

EconoEconomicmic

CrisesCrises

The Causes of The Causes of Instability in Instability in

FranceFrance1792 - 17951792 - 1795

The Causes of The Causes of Instability in Instability in

FranceFrance1792 - 17951792 - 1795

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The Political SpectrumThe Political Spectrum

JacobinJacobinss

MontagnarMontagnardsds

(“The (“The Mountain”)Mountain”)

GirondistsGirondistsMonarchíeMonarchíe

nn(Royalists)(Royalists)

1790s:1790s:The PlainThe Plain

(swing (swing votes)votes)

TODAY:TODAY:

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The Politics of the National Convention (1792-1795))

MontagnardsMontagnards Girondists

Girondists

Power base in Paris.

Main support from the sans-culottes.

Would adopt extreme measures to achieve their goals.

Saw Paris as the center of the Revolution.

More centralized [in Paris] approach to government.

Power base in the provinces.

Feared the influence of the sans-culottes.

Feared the dominance of Paris in national politics.

Supported more national government centralization [federalism].

The Jacobins (The Radicals)

Jacobin Meeting House

They held their meetings in the library of a former Jacobin monastery in Paris.

Started as a debating society.

Membership mostly middle class.

Created a vast network of clubs.PojerPojer

The Sans-Culottes: The Parisian Working Class Supporters of the Jacobins

Small shopkeepers

Tradesmen

Artisans

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Louis XVI’s Head (January 21, 1793) The trial of the king was

hastened by the discovery in a secret cupboard in the Tuilieres of a cache of documents.

They proved conclusively Louis’ knowledge and encouragement of foreign intervention.

The National Convention voted387 to 334 to execute the monarchs.

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The War Expands

“After Louis’ execution, the monarchs of Europe feared democratic revolutions could spread from France. In January, 1793 the monarchs of Great Britain, the Netherlands, Spain and Sardinia joined Austria and Prussia in alliance against revolutionary France.”

World History

The Committee of Public Safety

“The National Convention took steps to prevent foreign invasion. It formed the Committee of Public Safety to direct the entire war effort. It also adopted conscription or a draft to require military service of men between the ages of eighteen and forty-five.”

World History

Committee of Public Safety

Revolutionary Tribunals. 300,000 arrested. 16,000 – 50,000 executed.PojerPojer

The Jacobins

“Overwhelmed by enemies at home and abroad the Jacobins set out to crush all opposition within France. This effort was known as the Reign of Terror, and it lasted from July, 1793 to July,1794.”

World History

The Reign of Terror

The Execution of Marie Antoinette October, 1793

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The Reign of Terror

Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible. -- Robespierre

Let terror be the order of

the day! The Revolutionary

Tribunal of Paris alone executed 2,639 victims in 15 months.

The total number of victims nationwide was over 20,000!

Different Social Classes Executed

28%

31%

25%

8%

7%

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The “Monster” GuillotineThe “Monster” Guillotine

The last guillotine execution in France was in 1939!!PojerPojer

Robespierre

Danton

Marat

Charlotte Corday murders

Marat

The Death of Marat”The Death of Marat”by Jacques Louis by Jacques Louis David, 1793David, 1793

The Revolution ConsumesIts Own Children!

Danton Awaits Execution, 1793

Robespierre Lies WoundedBefore the Revolutionary

Tribunal that will order him to be guillotined, 1794.

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“The Fall of Robespierre began on March 30, 1794 when he sent his fellow citizens and friends Danton and Desmoulins to the guillotine. After this event, members of the Convention and the Committee eyed Robespierre with suspicion. Robespierre was the sole person who decided between wrong and right. The Convention saw Robespierre as a tyrant and his Republic of Virtue as authoritarian. A faction of the Convention banded together to destroy Robespierre before he destroyed the remaining members of the French government.”http://www.mtholyoke.edu/courses/rschwart/hist255/kat_anna/fallr.html

The Arrest of Robespierre

The Execution of Robespierre

The French Revolution

Phase Three (The Conservative Reaction)

Timeline of the French Revolution

http://www.thecaveonline.com/APEH/revueFrRev.html