the french revolution background and beginnings

The French The French RevolutionRevolution

Background and Background and BeginningsBeginnings

King Louis XVI and King Louis XVI and Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette

““Regime Ancien”Regime Ancien”The Old RegimeThe Old Regime

FirstFirstEstateEstate

Clergy Clergy 1% population1% population

20% land20% land

SecondSecondEstateEstateNoblesNobles

2% population2% population25% land25% land

Third EstateThird EstateBourgeoisie, Laborers, ArtisansBourgeoisie, Laborers, Artisans

PeasantsPeasants97% population97% population

40% land40% land

Underlying Causes of the Underlying Causes of the French RevolutionFrench RevolutionPolitical Political

ConditionsConditions• The king ruled by The king ruled by Divine RightDivine Right•Officials often bought their positions “Nobility Officials often bought their positions “Nobility of the Robe”of the Robe”•The The Parlement of Paris Parlement of Paris (High Court) was (High Court) was restored during the reign of Louis XV and had restored during the reign of Louis XV and had some control over the kings spendingsome control over the kings spending•The king censored The king censored speech and pressspeech and press•The The Estates General Estates General had not met in 175 years.had not met in 175 years.•Under theUnder the lettre de cachet lettre de cachet government could government could imprison anyone without charges or guarantee of imprison anyone without charges or guarantee of trialtrial

Social Social ConditionsConditions

• The First Estate was The First Estate was exempt from exempt from taxes and military servicetaxes and military service

• The Second Estate consisted of The Second Estate consisted of nobles of the robe and nobles of the nobles of the robe and nobles of the sword (hereditary). They owned sword (hereditary). They owned most of the prime land and were most of the prime land and were exempt from most taxes. exempt from most taxes. They were They were still entitled to some feudal rightsstill entitled to some feudal rights

• The Third Estate The Third Estate paid most of the paid most of the taxes taxes and did virtually all the work.and did virtually all the work.

• Peasants were forced to work for Peasants were forced to work for nobles and/or government several nobles and/or government several days a year on days a year on The Corvee (roads The Corvee (roads and highways).and highways).

Burden of the Third Estate

Underlying Causes of the Underlying Causes of the French RevolutionFrench Revolution

Economic Economic ConditionsConditions

The Economic conditions of France had been gradually growing The Economic conditions of France had been gradually growing worse since the reign of Louis XIV. By 1787, the country was near worse since the reign of Louis XIV. By 1787, the country was near bankruptcy and faced financial disaster. This was due to:bankruptcy and faced financial disaster. This was due to:

• Extravagant lifestyle of the monarchy.Extravagant lifestyle of the monarchy.• Spending vast amounts on wars.Spending vast amounts on wars.• Debt created by French support of the Debt created by French support of the

American Revolution.American Revolution.• Exemption of the upper classes from Exemption of the upper classes from

most taxation.most taxation.• France had no central bank, paper France had no central bank, paper

currency or borrowing powercurrency or borrowing power


17151715

1789178917 Million17 Million

24.7 Million24.7 MillionPopulation ExplosionPopulation Explosion

Reasons for Growth:Reasons for Growth:•Greater Food ProductionGreater Food Production•Increased Prosperity among Increased Prosperity among Bourgeoisie and nobilityBourgeoisie and nobility•Better SanitationBetter Sanitation•Lack of Wars & InvasionLack of Wars & Invasion

Underlying Causes of Underlying Causes of the French Revolutionthe French Revolution

Economic DiscontentmentEconomic DiscontentmentThe French population began to grow rapidly in the 1700’s. While The French population began to grow rapidly in the 1700’s. While families had more children to support poor economic conditions families had more children to support poor economic conditions caused great hardships:caused great hardships:• Prices rose dramatically in the 1700’s while Prices rose dramatically in the 1700’s while

wages barely rose. This was especially true wages barely rose. This was especially true of bread which was a staple of the massesof bread which was a staple of the masses

• High taxes on peasants caused numerous High taxes on peasants caused numerous riots which were ruthlessly suppressed by riots which were ruthlessly suppressed by the king’s troops.the king’s troops.

• Nobles and clergy raised rents and fees on Nobles and clergy raised rents and fees on the lower classesthe lower classes

• Mercantilist policies and government Mercantilist policies and government interference hurt businessmen and interference hurt businessmen and merchants, most of whom were Bourgeoisiemerchants, most of whom were Bourgeoisie


TaxesTaxes 50%50%

PersonalPersonalIncomeIncome 28%28%

TithesTithes 10%10%

Feudal Feudal DuesDues 12%12%

Income Distribution of the Third EstateIncome Distribution of the Third Estate

Influence of French PhilosophersInfluence of French Philosophers


VoltaireVoltaireLetters on the EnglishLetters on the EnglishAdvocated free speech, Advocated free speech,

praised England’s limited praised England’s limited monarchy and denounced monarchy and denounced the French government.the French government.

“I may not agree with a word you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”

Jean Jacques RousseauJean Jacques Rousseau

The Social ContractThe Social ContractGovernment should be based on Government should be based on

popular sovereignty and people popular sovereignty and people have the right to change have the right to change government when they are government when they are discontenteddiscontented

MontesquieuMontesquieu

Spirit of the LawsSpirit of the LawsThe perfect government contained The perfect government contained

checks and balances checks and balances and and separation of powers.separation of powers.

Influence of Foreign Influence of Foreign RevolutionsRevolutions

The Marquis de Lafayette in the American

Revolution

Benjamin Franklin in the French court.

Thomas Jefferson author of The Declaration of Independence


Queen Marie AntoinetteQueen Marie AntoinetteMadame DeficitMadame Deficit

• Austrian Princess unpopular with peopleAustrian Princess unpopular with people• Didn’t understand French customsDidn’t understand French customs• Spent extravagant amounts on jewelry, Spent extravagant amounts on jewelry,

clothing, and gambling.clothing, and gambling.““Let them eat cake”Let them eat cake”

Discontentment with Discontentment with the governmentthe government


King Louis XVIKing Louis XVI

• IndecisiveIndecisive• StubbornStubborn• Viewed as weak Viewed as weak

The French RevolutionThe French RevolutionModerate Phase 1789-1791Moderate Phase 1789-1791

First EstateFirst Estate 300 members300 members 1 Vote1 Vote

Second EstateSecond Estate 300 members300 members 1 Vote1 Vote

Third EstateThird Estate 600 members600 members 1 Vote1 Vote

Convened for the first time Convened for the first time in 175 yearsin 175 years

The Estates General of FranceThe Estates General of FranceMay 5, 1789 May 5, 1789

The National AssemblyThe National AssemblyCreated June 17, 1789Created June 17, 1789

The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court OathJune 20, 1789June 20, 1789

Storming of the BastilleStorming of the BastilleJuly 14, 1789July 14, 1789

The National AssemblyThe National Assembly

Abolished All Ancient Feudal RightsAbolished All Ancient Feudal RightsNo more distinction of social classesNo more distinction of social classes

The August Decrees The August Decrees - August 5, 1789- August 5, 1789

Declaration of the Rights of ManDeclaration of the Rights of ManAugust 27, 1789August 27, 1789

““Liberty, Equality, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”Fraternity”

The Great FearThe Great FearJuly – Sept 1793July – Sept 1793

Peasant Uprisings Peasant Uprisings against aristocracy against aristocracy

and clergy and clergy throughout Francethroughout France

Work of the National Assembly Work of the National Assembly (1789-1791)(1789-1791)

Issued the Issued the Civil Civil Constitution of Constitution of the Clergy the Clergy

Completed work on the Completed work on the Constitution of 1791Constitution of 1791

Created a Constitutional Created a Constitutional Monarchy with a legislative Monarchy with a legislative branch called the branch called the Legislative Legislative Assembly. Assembly. This assembly met This assembly met from 1791-1792 to continue from 1791-1792 to continue working on legislative initiatives working on legislative initiatives

The French The French RevolutionRevolutionThe Radical The Radical

PhasePhase1792-17951792-1795

Jean Paul MaratJean Paul Marat Journalist who was an early Journalist who was an early JacobinJacobin

leader. Outspoken critic of the leader. Outspoken critic of the Old Old Regime Regime through his underground through his underground newspapernewspaper..

Advocated death for all opponents of the Advocated death for all opponents of the revolutionrevolution

Because of a skin disease, he was forced Because of a skin disease, he was forced to work out of his bathtub.to work out of his bathtub.

Assassinated by Charlotte Corday a Assassinated by Charlotte Corday a Girondin sympathizer in 1793.Girondin sympathizer in 1793.

GeorgesGeorges DantonDanton Powerful leader of the Jacobins Powerful leader of the Jacobins

and a strong public speaker.and a strong public speaker. Very popular with common Very popular with common

people (bourgeoisie and peasants)people (bourgeoisie and peasants) Executed by Robespierre in May Executed by Robespierre in May

1794 when he tried to stop the 1794 when he tried to stop the reign of terror because he felt it reign of terror because he felt it had achieved it goals.had achieved it goals.

Maximilien RobespierreMaximilien Robespierre“The Apostle of Terror”“The Apostle of Terror”

Former judge and Jacobin leader Former judge and Jacobin leader who became the most powerful and who became the most powerful and feared leader of the revolution.feared leader of the revolution.

Led the revolution to its most radical Led the revolution to its most radical stage, the stage, the Reign of Terror Reign of Terror to eliminate to eliminate internal and external enemies.internal and external enemies.

His execution by moderates in the His execution by moderates in the Thermidorian Reaction the RThermidorian Reaction the Reign of eign of Terror.Terror.

Flight to Varennes – June 20-21, 1791 Flight to Varennes – June 20-21, 1791 On the night of June 29, 1791 the Royal family tried to escape incognito to the On the night of June 29, 1791 the Royal family tried to escape incognito to the

Austrian Netherlands where they hope to get help from the Marie’s brother, Austrian Netherlands where they hope to get help from the Marie’s brother, the Emperor of Austriathe Emperor of Austria

They were recognized in the town of Varennes, just miles from the border.They were recognized in the town of Varennes, just miles from the border. They were brought back to Paris in disgrace and were required to live under They were brought back to Paris in disgrace and were required to live under

house arrest house arrest Even royal supporters were dismayed by the apparent abandonment by the Even royal supporters were dismayed by the apparent abandonment by the

king and he lost a great deal of support from conservatives and moderates.king and he lost a great deal of support from conservatives and moderates.

Make-up of the Legislative Make-up of the Legislative Assembly Assembly

Speaker

JacobinsRadicalsRadicals ModeratesModerates Conservati

ConservativesvesGirondins

1791-17921791-1792

Abolish the

Abolish the

Monarchy

Monarchy

Constitutional

Constitutional Monarchy

Monarchy

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Abolition of the MonarchyAbolition of the Monarchy In August 1791, Prussia and Austria In August 1791, Prussia and Austria

threatened to invade France if any threatened to invade France if any harm was done to the royal family.harm was done to the royal family.

In February, 1792 they created a In February, 1792 they created a formal alliance.formal alliance.

In April 1792 the Legislative In April 1792 the Legislative Assembly declared war on Prussia Assembly declared war on Prussia and Austria. and Austria.

August 10,1792, Parisians stormed August 10,1792, Parisians stormed the Royal Palace in Paris, killing the Royal Palace in Paris, killing hundreds of Swiss Guards and hundreds of Swiss Guards and capturing the Royal Family.capturing the Royal Family.

That night the Monarchy was That night the Monarchy was abolished, ending the nearly 200 abolished, ending the nearly 200 year reign of the Bourbons.year reign of the Bourbons.

The Legislative Assembly called for The Legislative Assembly called for a National Convention to be a National Convention to be convened to write a new convened to write a new Constitution.Constitution.

Make-up of the National Convention Make-up of the National Convention

SpeakerJacobins

RadicalsRadicalsModeratesModerates

ConservativeConservative

ss

GirondinsGirondins

1792-17951792-1795

• By August 1792, the Legislative By August 1792, the Legislative Assembly finished its work and Assembly finished its work and elected a new representative body elected a new representative body to write a new constitution and to write a new constitution and replace the monarchy.replace the monarchy.

• The Girondins who had originally The Girondins who had originally been radical moved to the been radical moved to the conservative side believing that conservative side believing that the revolution had run its course.`the revolution had run its course.`

Kill the KingKill the King

““Louis must die Louis must die

so the Republic so the Republic

may live”may live”

-Robespierre-Robespierre

Save the KingSave the King““Abolish the Abolish the Monarchy but

Monarchy but save the kingsave the king

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On September 22, 1792, the convention officially abolished On September 22, 1792, the convention officially abolished the monarchy and established the the monarchy and established the First French RepublicFirst French Republic

The Royal family was imprisoned in the Temple Prison in The Royal family was imprisoned in the Temple Prison in Paris to await their fate. Paris to await their fate.

Under the First French Republic all adult male citizens were Under the First French Republic all adult male citizens were given the right to vote and all people were called “citizen” to given the right to vote and all people were called “citizen” to demonstrate equality. demonstrate equality.

The First The First French French

RepublicRepublic

Trial of Louis Trial of Louis XVIXVI

Dec. 12, 1792 - Dec. 12, 1792 - Jan. 21, 1793Jan. 21, 1793

Louis was charged with treason and for conspiring against the revolution. Jacobins dominated the trial

On Jan. 15, 1793, Louis was overwhelmingly found guilty.

The next day Louis was sentenced to execution by a 361 to 360 vote

Execution of Louis XVIExecution of Louis XVI January 21, 1793January 21, 1793

Louis must die, so that the republic

may live-Robespierre

The First Coalition The First Coalition March 1793March 1793

All of Europe was shocked by the king’s execution. France announced that it planned to export the Revolution to free all of Europe from oppression.

A coalition of European nations joined together to oppose the French government. This became the First Coalition.

The NetherlandsThe NetherlandsAustriaAustriaPrussiaPrussiaSpainSpain

Great BritainGreat Britain

The coalition was initially successful as French armies were driven back. This was the first of four anti-French coalitions from 1793-1815. Great Britain would be a part of all four coalitions.

The Committee of The Committee of Public SafetyPublic Safety

Formed in March Formed in March 17931793 Formed to combat outside enemies (the

Coalition) Consisted of 12 members including Marat,

Danton, and Robespierre Also sought out enemies of the revolution

from within Had total control over affairs of state

(dictatorship). Robespierre dominated. Made & carried out all laws and justice

through Revolutionary Tribunals.

Jacobin Takeover of Jacobin Takeover of the Conventionthe ConventionMay 31, 1793May 31, 1793 On May 31, 1793, Jacobins began On May 31, 1793, Jacobins began

arresting and executing Girondinsarresting and executing Girondins Many Girondins escaped and became Many Girondins escaped and became

émigrés émigrés to other European countries.to other European countries. On July 31, 1793, a Girondin On July 31, 1793, a Girondin

supporter, supporter, Charlotte CordayCharlotte Corday, , assassinated Marat as he sat in his assassinated Marat as he sat in his bathtub. bathtub.

Marat instantly became a martyr and Marat instantly became a martyr and the revolution turned more radical.the revolution turned more radical.

Assassination of Assassination of MaratMaratJuly 31, 1793July 31, 1793

Assassinated by Assassinated by a Girondin a Girondin

sympathizer sympathizer Charlotte Corday Charlotte Corday as he worked in as he worked in

his bathtubhis bathtub

Assassination of MaratAssassination of MaratBy Jacques Louis DavidBy Jacques Louis David

The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of TerrorSept. 17, 1793 - Sept. 17, 1793 - July 28, 1794July 28, 1794 Devised to stop any opposition to the

revolution and to seek out traitors Defendants were tried by the Revolutionary

Tribunal. Trials were quick and unfair, with defendants

given little or no legal representation. More than 40,000 citizens, mostly peasants,

were executed

Execution of Marie AntoinetteExecution of Marie AntoinetteOctober 16, 1793October 16, 1793

Monsieur, I beg your Monsieur, I beg your pardonpardon

Last Words of Marie Antoinette Last Words of Marie Antoinette (after accidentally stepping on the executioners foot) (after accidentally stepping on the executioners foot)

The Revolution Devours its OwnEnd of the Terror

In April 1794, Danton called for an end to the terror. He and his followers were executed.

Execution of DantonApril 5, 1794

Execution of RobespierreJuly 28, 1794

By July, moderates had turned against Robespierre. He was executed on July 28, 1794 ending the Reign of Terror (Thermidorian Reaction)(Thermidorian Reaction)

Moderate Control of the ConventionModerate Control of the ConventionJuly 29, 1794 - October 26, 1795July 29, 1794 - October 26, 1795

Moderates regained control of the convention Jacobin clubs were closed throughout the country When the economy worsened mobs tried to break

up the convention. They were stopped by a young unknown general

named Napoleon Bonaparte

The Constitution of 1795

The moderates who controlled the Convention finished the new Constitution in the fall of 1795

A new government called The Directory was created The Directory consisted of an executive branch of 5

directors, and a weak 2 house legislature. The Directory lasted until 1799 when Napoleon

staged a Coup d'étatCoup d'état and formed a new government.

Napoleon BonaparteNapoleon Bonaparte

Conservative

Moderate

Moderate

Radical

Anatomy of RevolutionAnatomy of Revolution By Crane Brittan

Conservative

Moderate

Moderate

Radical Old Regime

Estates General Called (May 1789)

National Assembly Formed (June 1789)

Tennis Court Oath (June 1789)

Storming of Bastille (July 1789)

(Aug 1789)Declaration of the Rights of Man

Legislative Assembly(1791-Sept. 1792)

Monarchy Abolished (Aug 1792)

Trial & Execution of Louis XVI (Dec.1792-Jan.1793

National Convention (Sept 1792)

Reign of Terror(Sept.1793-July 1794)

Execution of Danton May 1794

Execution of Robespierre (July 1794)

Moderate Control of Convention (1794-1795)

Creation of Directory (1795)

Napoleon DefeatsCoalitions (1795-1799)

Napoleon’s Coup-de-etatConsulate Formed (1799)

FrenchFrenchRevolutionRevolutionFirst French Republic (Sept 1792)

First Coalition Formed (April 1993)

The Great Fear(July Sept. 1789)

Flight to Varennes(June 1791

the french revolution background and beginnings

Documents

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french revolutiontaxes

french revolutionbackground

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estateunderlying causes

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