French RevolutionPart #1

Causes of Revolution

BackgroundBackground: In the 1700s, France was considered the most advanced country in Europe. It had been the center of the enlightenment. Its culture was very successful and imitated by many. It had a large population and appeared very wealthy.

However, how do you believe the Enlightenment played a role in changing France?

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Political System prior to Revolution

What is an Absolute Monarchy?Known as the Old Regime

People were divided into 3 estates, or social classes

Similar to a caste system, where each class differs in privileges • Examples: 1st and 2nd estates had

privileges to high offices and exemptions from taxes, 3rd estate was not

3 Estates in France: Social Classes

1st Estate- Clergy- RCC- owned 10% of land

gave education to poor and contributed 2% of income to government

3 Estates in France: Social Classes

2nd Estate – Rich Nobles- owned 20% of Land, only 2 % of population

Paid little, almost nothing, in taxes

3 Estates in France: Social Classes

3rd Estate- Common person – 97% of people, differed in economics – paid most taxes, no privileges

3 levels of the 3rd estate

• 1) Bourgeoisie- bankers, factory owners, professionals, merchants, skilled artisans paid high taxes

2) Common worker- factory workers, tradespeople, apprentices, laborers, servants paid high taxes

3) Peasants- LARGEST amount of people. (more than 80%) Half of income (50%) went to taxes

Resentment builds between estates

Problems arise in FranceEconomic Problems

Economic decline- high taxes and increased cost of living led to a lack of profitBusiness continued to grow but failed to make more $$

Economic ProblemsCrop failure in 1780s led to

an increase in bread prices, DOUBLED

Debts- France had been in debt but Louis XVI spent a ton of money on luxuries. Banks refused to loan him money.

Also spent a ton of money on the American Revolution.

Problem # 2 Weak Leadership

- Louis XVI was indecisive

Did not listen to advisors nor did he pay much attention to governmental matters. - Marie Antoinette, (Madame Deficit) the queen, was not much help with spending or advice- Louis XVI figured only way to solve problems was to get more money.

How could he do this?

So what does Louis XVI do?

Decided to call Estates General, (an assembly of representatives from all 3 estates) to approve his new tax system, first time called upon in 175 years. Met in Versailles

Decided it was time to tax the nobility- 2nd EstateEach Estate had one vote

The National Assembly3rd Estate sees this as a chance to change society. They were influenced by Enlightenment. They believe each delegate should have a vote and since 3rd Estate has most delegates, it would give them more power.

Louis XVI refuses saying they should follow Medieval Rules. Each Estate = 1 vote

3rd Estate is upset and renames their delegates THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, whom they believe should pass laws and reform in the name of the French people

Louis XVI opposes this idea:

this would mean an end to an absolute monarchy representative government

King saw this a act of revolution because they wanted to take away his Absolute power

The Tennis Court Oath

3rd Estate found themselves locked out of their meeting roomInstead they broke down door to indoor Tennis Court and met there

They pledged to stay until the draw up a new constitutionSoon members of other estates began to join

What is Louis XVI left to do?

Louis XVI sent troops to VersaillesRumors flew a people were deciding what to do. Some gathered weapons for a fight to defend city

- Mob of citizens storms Bastille, a French prison for gun powered and arms-Captured Bastille, meaning a revolution would occur

Bastille Day – similar to our 4th of JulyThe Great Fear of War and Terror looms among citizens What is going to happen?

The Assembly’s Reforms:The Rights of man: What rights did it guarantee?

Did not apply to women•“Life, Liberty, Fraternity”- became

slogan of Revolutionary leaders

Other ReformsReforming the Church:

Took over church’s landsDeclared that priests and church officials must be elected and paid through state

• What did this do?– Took political power away from Church

– Separate church and state from each other

– Land was sold to pay debts

Reforms and chaos: Louis XVI fears for his life and attempts to run away

• Captured by guards on borders, sent back to Paris

• Proves this fate is sealed– He was going to lose power

Part # 2: The New France

The New France:After two years, in

1791, National Assembly creates a Limited Monarchy

What is a limited Monarchy?Legislative Assembly is created

Body of people that will create laws and approve or reject declarations of warKing still had to enforce laws

Did this solve the French problems?

NO!!!! there were still food shortagesstill debtLegislative Assembly had not come up with answers

NO!!!

Division

The Assembly Divided:Radicals- Complete changes in government (left)Moderates- some changes in government (Center)Conservatives – little change in government (Right)

The battle outside:

Outside forces also attempting to influence Government Other countries feared this would spread into their lands (Austria, Prussia)

Wanted Monarchy restored

So what did Legislative Assembly do?DECLARE WAR ON PRUSSIA!

What to do?

The September Massacres

Revolution- Prussia was a major military power and were defeating France - Claimed they would destroy Paris if Royal Family was harmed- Mob of Revolutionaries storm palace and capture royal family- Rumors fly about supporters of the king breaking out of prisons and taking over Paris- Chaos breaks out and citizens begin killing all those that may be supporters of the King

How can France regain control?

Radicals in gov’t urged France to rethink governmentLegislative Assembly agreed and acted quicklyGovernment no longer would have a KingNo AssemblyDeclared France a RepublicNew Elections

Men could vote and Run for office• Created National Convention

Jacobins1792- Majority of National Convention is part of Radical party called Jacobins- Leader was Jean-Paul Marat- Decided it would be best to kill all supporters of King- King Louis XVI was reduced to common man status- sentenced to death by the GuillotineWar with Prussia and Austria continues, England, Spain, and Holland join against France

France is being defeated, needs men- draft“ enemies on the outside and enemies within”

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Maximilien Robespierre

1793- Slowly gains control of Jacobins became dictator of France- wanted to eliminate France’s past- “a republic of Virtue”- changed calendar- 12 months, 30 days,

no Sunday- eliminate those not with ideals of Revolution, or anyone challenging his power

• Reign of Terror

End of Terror

people became fearful of RobespierreMembers eventually turn on him and have him arrested and executedCreated new government where power was invested in upper middle class and a five men Directory.France was still searching for order and the found it in a military General, Napoleon Bonaparte