The French Revolution

Storming the Bastille (READ)▪ The Bastille: A grim medieval fortress used as a

prison for political and other prisoners. ▪ July 14, 1789▪ 800 of the third estate stood outside demanding weapons and

gunpowder▪ The Bastille commander refused▪ Stormed the gate and freed the prisoners▪ Killed the soldiers and commander▪ Paraded the dead commander through the city

▪ Became a symbol of freedom the main motivation against absolute monarchy and tyranny; which challenged the king’s authority.

The people rushed against the place, and almost in an instant were in possession of a fortification, defended by 100 men, of infinite strength, which in other times had stood several regular sieges and had never been taken. . . . They took all the arms, discharged the prisoners and such of the garrison as were not killed in the first moment of fury, carried the Governor and Lieutenant governor to the Greve (the place of public execution), cut off their heads, and set them through the city in triumph to the Palais royal.—Thomas Jefferson, letter to John Jay, July 14, 1789

READ!!

Answer question #1 on your notes

▪1. Why is The Bastille a symbol of freedom?

The National Assembly▪Called upon after the rioting in Paris▪Demanded equality▪ The nobles gave up rights over the Third Estate.▪ Old manorial dues▪ Exclusive hunting rights▪ Legal status▪ Exception from taxes

READ!!!

Step Towards a Constitution (READ)▪Declaration of the Rights of Man: a document modeled after the American Declaration of Independence. It echoed the ideas of the Enlightenment and set the French people free from an absolute monarchy. ▪ Used John Locke and other Enlightenment

thinkers ideas▪ “liberty, property, security, and resistance to

oppression.”

Answer question #2 on your notes▪2. The _______________________________________ is to France as the __________________________________ is to the United States of America. Both documents used John Locke and other Enlightenment thinkers’ ideas of liberty.

THE REIGN OF TERROR

RADICALS GAIN POWER (READ)• Other monarchies were threatened and started war

• Radicals started killing nobles and priests in support of the king

• Suffrage was given to ALL male citizens at the national assembly– Suffrage: the right to vote– Do you think the nobles willingly gave this right?

• Abolished the monarchy in France

• Executed the King and Queen

(READ) SANS-CULOTTES:Working-class men and women who became the heart of radical France.

COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY (READ)• France was at war with most of Europe

• The 12 man committee was created– Urged young men to go to battle– Women to make tents of serve in hospitals– Children to make clothes

• “Revolution fever”– Patriotic forces took many European lands– European monarchs terrified

ROBESPIERRE, THE INCORRUPTIBLE (READ)

• Maximilien Robespierre: a shrewd lawyer and politician who quickly rose to the leadership of the Committee of Public Safety. – Selfless dedication to the revolution– Nicknamed “the Incorruptible”– Enemies of the revolution called him a tyrant

“DEATH TO THE TRAITORS” (READ)• Reign of Terror: time period during the French

revolution when people in France were arrested for not supporting the revolution and many executed.

• Robespierre said the terror was necessary to protect the revolution and achieve its goals.

• 300,000 citizens arrested; 17,000 were executed

• Many of these people were falsely accused

• Paranoia was high and the creators of the terror were also targeted.

ANSWER QUESTION #3 ON YOUR NOTES

•A. Why was this time period in France called the Reign of Terror?•B. What did Robespierre say about

terror?

GUILLOTINE:Device used during the Reign of Terror to execute thousands by beheading

Robespierre was beheaded in July 1794, a victim of the terror he helped create

ON YOUR NOTES, DRAW THE GUILLOTINE

REACTION TO THE TERROR (READ)• These failed and chaos loomed

• Politicians turned to Napoleon

• Napoleon Bonaparte: A popular military hero who had won a series of brilliant victories against the Austrians.

• Waves of political change– New constitution– War continued with Europe– Strong military action