Causes of the French

Revolution

It was the best of times, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of it was the age of foolishness, foolishness,

-- Charles Dickens-- Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities A Tale of Two Cities

The French Monarchy:The French Monarchy:1775 - 17931775 - 1793

Marie Antoinette & Louis Marie Antoinette & Louis XVIXVI

Marie AntoinetteMarie Antoinette

““Madame Deficit”- Madame Deficit”- spent $ on gowns, spent $ on gowns, jewels, gambling, and jewels, gambling, and gifts. gifts.

Member of Royal Austrian Family

Out of touch with society

EconomyFrance’s Economy Decreasing due to:

Crop failuresKing & Queen’s spendingHeavy taxes make business hard to

conductWar debt

?How were the poor peasants fairing?

The French Urban The French Urban PoorPoor

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% of Income Spent on Bread

1787

1788

Something had to be done!

The banks refused to loan more money to the King.

Louis XVI didn’t want to cut spendingDecided to impose taxes on the

nobilityHe needed approval of this by the

Estates-General- an assembly of representatives from all 3 estates.

Commoners3rd Estate

Aristocracy2nd Estate

Clergy1st Estate

The Number of The Number of RepresentativesRepresentatives

in the Estates General: in the Estates General: 300

300

648

Commoners3rd Estate

Aristocracy

2nd Estate

Clergy1st Estate

The Suggested Voting The Suggested Voting Pattern:Pattern:

Voting by EstatesVoting by Estates1

1

1

Louis XVI insisted that the voting pattern remain the Louis XVI insisted that the voting pattern remain the samesame

3rd Estate

97% of people belonged to this estateBourgeoisie- Middle ClassWorkersPeasants

Convening the Estates General Convening the Estates General May, 1789May, 1789

Last time it was called into session was Last time it was called into session was 1614!1614!

Called to order by Louis XVI to impose taxes Called to order by Louis XVI to impose taxes on the nobility.on the nobility.

???• What do you think

happened at the Meeting of the Estates General?

TO BE CONTIUNED…

By: Susan M. PojerBy: Susan M. PojerHorace Greeley H. S. Horace Greeley H. S.

Chappaqua, NYChappaqua, NY

TO BE CONTIUNED…

Convening the Estates General Convening the Estates General May, 1789May, 1789

Last time it was called into session was Last time it was called into session was 1614!1614!

Called to order by Louis XVI to impose taxes Called to order by Louis XVI to impose taxes on the nobility.on the nobility.

At the Meeting

• Different hopes– King wanted tax increase

– Nobles and clergy wanted to continue lifestyle

– Middle class wants democracy

– Peasants want solutions and social equality

•This is what happened!

““The Third Estate The Third Estate Awakens”Awakens” The commoners stated that their vote needed The commoners stated that their vote needed

to count! They were now “representatives of to count! They were now “representatives of the nation!” the nation!”

They proclaimed themselves the They proclaimed themselves the “National “National Assembly”Assembly” of France. of France.

National Assembly

• Proclaimed the end of absolute monarchy.

• Began representative government

““The Tennis Court The Tennis Court Oath”Oath”

June 20, 1789- National Assembly locked out of June 20, 1789- National Assembly locked out of meeting room. Broke down door to a inside tennis meeting room. Broke down door to a inside tennis

court and vowed not to leave until a new court and vowed not to leave until a new constitution was written.constitution was written.

Storming the Bastille, Storming the Bastille, July July 14, 178914, 1789 A rumor that Louis XVI was planning to A rumor that Louis XVI was planning to

send the military to dismantle the National send the military to dismantle the National Assembly.Assembly.

Mob attacked the prison to find guns and Mob attacked the prison to find guns and gunpowder in order to defend citygunpowder in order to defend city. .

18 died.18 died.

73 73 woundedwounded..

7 guards 7 guards killed.killed.

It held 7 It held 7 prisoners prisoners [5 ordinary [5 ordinary criminals & 2 criminals & 2 madmen].madmen].

March of the Women,March of the Women,October 5-6, 1789October 5-6, 1789

*A spontaneous demonstration of women *A spontaneous demonstration of women wanting cheaper bread.wanting cheaper bread.

*Broke into Versailles, killed some guards.*Broke into Versailles, killed some guards.

*Women demanded the return of the king *Women demanded the return of the king and his family. and his family.

The Great Fear: The Great Fear: Peasant RevoltPeasant Revolt

In the CountryIn the Country

Fear that nobles were hiring outlaws to terrorize Fear that nobles were hiring outlaws to terrorize the peasants. (Rumor)the peasants. (Rumor)

Peasants gathered weapons and broke into Peasants gathered weapons and broke into nobles’ homes- destroying feudal papers. nobles’ homes- destroying feudal papers.

Start of the French Revolution & The Storming of the Bastille video clip.

http://player.discoveryeducation.com/index.cfm?guidAssetId=D17745B5-5E07-4DDB-8215-9320431C045E&blnFromSearch=1&productcode=US

The Declaration of the The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Rights of Man and of

the Citizenthe CitizenAugust 26, August 26,

17891789

V Liberty!Liberty!

V Property!Property!

V Resistance to Resistance to oppression!oppression!

Olympe de Gouges Olympe de Gouges (1745-1793)(1745-1793)

Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of the Rights of

WomanWomanand of the and of the

Citizen Citizen (1791)(1791)

Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of the Rights of

WomanWomanand of the and of the

Citizen Citizen (1791)(1791)

V Women played a Women played a vital role in the vital role in the Revolution.Revolution.

V But, But, The Declaration The Declaration of the Rights of Manof the Rights of Man did NOT extend the did NOT extend the rights and rights and protections of protections of citizenship to citizenship to women.women.

Crane Brinton: The Course Crane Brinton: The Course that Revolutions Seem to that Revolutions Seem to

TakeTake1.1. Impossible demands made of government Impossible demands made of government

which, if granted, would mean its end.which, if granted, would mean its end.

2.2. Unsuccessful government attempts to Unsuccessful government attempts to suppress revolutionaries.suppress revolutionaries.

3.3. Revolutionaries gain power and seem Revolutionaries gain power and seem united.united.

4.4. Once in power, revolutionaries begin to Once in power, revolutionaries begin to quarrel among themselves, and unity quarrel among themselves, and unity begins to dissolve.begins to dissolve.

5.5. The moderates gain the leadership but The moderates gain the leadership but fail to satisfy those who insist on further fail to satisfy those who insist on further changes.changes.

Crane Brinton: The Course Crane Brinton: The Course that Revolutions Seem to that Revolutions Seem to

TakeTake6.6. Power is gained by progressively more Power is gained by progressively more

radical groups until finally a lunatic fringe radical groups until finally a lunatic fringe gains almost complete control.gains almost complete control.

7.7. A strong man emerges and assumes great A strong man emerges and assumes great power.power.

8.8. The extremists try to create a “heaven-on-The extremists try to create a “heaven-on-earth” by introducing their whole program earth” by introducing their whole program and by punishing all of their opponents.and by punishing all of their opponents.

9.9. A period of terror [extreme violence] A period of terror [extreme violence] occurs.occurs.

10.10. Moderate groups regain power. THE Moderate groups regain power. THE REVOLUTION IS OVER!REVOLUTION IS OVER!

Emmanuel Joseph Emmanuel Joseph SieyesSieyes

11stst What is the Third What is the Third Estate? Estate? Everything!Everything!22ndnd What has it been What has it been heretofore in the heretofore in the political order? political order? Nothing! Nothing!33rdrd What does it What does it demand?demand? To become To become somethingsomething therein! therein!

Abbé SieyèsAbbé Sieyès1748-18361748-1836

The The PathPath

of theof the“Great“GreatFear”Fear”

Night Session of August Night Session of August 4, 17894, 1789

Y Before the night was over:Before the night was over: The feudal regime in France had The feudal regime in France had

been abolished.been abolished.

All Frenchmen were, at least in All Frenchmen were, at least in principle, subject to the same principle, subject to the same laws and the same taxes and laws and the same taxes and eligible for the same offices.eligible for the same offices.

Equality & Meritocracy!Equality & Meritocracy! Equality & Meritocracy!Equality & Meritocracy!

National Constituent National Constituent AssemblyAssembly1789 - 17911789 - 1791

August DecreesAugust DecreesAugust 4-11, 1789August 4-11, 1789

(A renunciation of aristocratic (A renunciation of aristocratic privileges!)privileges!)

Liberté!Liberté!Egalité!Egalité!

Fraternité!Fraternité!

BUT . . . . .BUT . . . . .

Y Feudal dues were not renounced outright Feudal dues were not renounced outright [this had been too strong a threat to the [this had been too strong a threat to the principle of private property!]principle of private property!]

Y Peasants would compensate their Peasants would compensate their landlords through a series of direct landlords through a series of direct payments for obligations from which payments for obligations from which they had supposedly been freed.they had supposedly been freed.

Therefore, the National Assembly made Therefore, the National Assembly made revolutionary gestures, but remained revolutionary gestures, but remained essentially moderate.essentially moderate.

Their GoalTheir Goal Their GoalTheir Goal Safeguard the right of private Safeguard the right of private property!!property!!Safeguard the right of private Safeguard the right of private property!!property!!

The Tricolor (1789)The Tricolor (1789)

The WHITE of the The WHITE of the Bourbons + the RED Bourbons + the RED

& BLUE of Paris.& BLUE of Paris.

Citizen!Citizen!

The Tricolor is the The Tricolor is the Fashion!Fashion!

The “Liberty Cap”: The “Liberty Cap”: Bonne RougeBonne Rouge

Revolutionary SymbolsRevolutionary Symbols

CockadeCockade

Revolutionary Revolutionary ClockClock

La RepublicLa RepublicLibertéLiberté

Revolutionary Playing Revolutionary Playing CardsCards

The “October The “October Days” Days” (1789)(1789)

The king was thought to be surrounded by evil The king was thought to be surrounded by evil advisors at Versailles so he was forced to advisors at Versailles so he was forced to move to Paris and reside at the move to Paris and reside at the Tuileries Tuileries

PalacePalace..

Planting the Tree of Planting the Tree of LibertyLiberty

17901790

Sir Edmund Burke Sir Edmund Burke (1790):(1790):

Reflections on the Revolution Reflections on the Revolution in Francein France

The conservative The conservative response to the French response to the French

RevolutionRevolution

How to Finance the How to Finance the New Govt.?New Govt.?

1.1. Confiscate Church Confiscate Church Lands Lands (1790)(1790)

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

2.2. Print Print AssignatsAssignats2.2. Print Print

AssignatsAssignats

V Issued by the National Constituent Assembly.Issued by the National Constituent Assembly.V Interest-bearing notes which had the church lands Interest-bearing notes which had the church lands

as security.as security.

Depreciation of the Depreciation of the AssignatAssignat

V Whoever acquired them were entitled to Whoever acquired them were entitled to certain privileges in the purchase of church certain privileges in the purchase of church land.land.

V The state would retire the notes as the land The state would retire the notes as the land was sold.was sold.

V They began circulating as paper currency.They began circulating as paper currency. Government printed more Government printed more INFLATIONINFLATION [they [they

lost 99% of their value ultimately].lost 99% of their value ultimately]. Therefore, future governments paid off their Therefore, future governments paid off their

creditors with cheap money.creditors with cheap money.

The Civil The Civil Constitution Constitution

of the of the ClergyClergy

July 12,July 12,17901790

JuryingJurying

vs.vs.

Non-JuryingNon-Jurying[refractory][refractory]

ClergyClergy

New Relations New Relations Between Church & Between Church &

StateStateV Government paid the salaries of the Government paid the salaries of the French clergy and maintained the French clergy and maintained the churches.churches.

V The church was reorganized:The church was reorganized: Parish priests Parish priests elected by the district elected by the district

assemblies.assemblies. Bishops Bishops named by the named by the

department assemblies.department assemblies. The pope had NO The pope had NO

voice in the voice in the appointment of appointment of the French clergy.the French clergy.

V It transformed France’sIt transformed France’sRoman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Churchinto a branch of the state!!into a branch of the state!!

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

Louis XVI “Accepts” the Louis XVI “Accepts” the Constitution Constitution

& the National Assembly. & the National Assembly. 17911791

Constitution of Constitution of 17911791

The French Constitution The French Constitution of 1791:of 1791:

A Bourgeois A Bourgeois GovernmentGovernment

V The king got the The king got the “suspensive” veto“suspensive” veto [which prevented the passage of laws [which prevented the passage of laws for 4 years].for 4 years].

He could not pass laws.He could not pass laws. His ministers were responsible for their His ministers were responsible for their

own actions.own actions.

V A permanent, elected, single chamber A permanent, elected, single chamber National Assembly.National Assembly.

Had the power to grant taxation.Had the power to grant taxation.

V An independent judiciary.An independent judiciary.

The French Constitution The French Constitution of 1791:of 1791:

A Bourgeois A Bourgeois GovernmentGovernment

V ““Active” CitizenActive” Citizen [who pays taxes [who pays taxes amounting to 3 days labor] could vote amounting to 3 days labor] could vote vs. vs. “Passive” Citizen“Passive” Citizen..

1/3 of adult males were denied the 1/3 of adult males were denied the franchise.franchise.

Domestic servants were also Domestic servants were also excluded.excluded.V A newly elected A newly elected LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVE

ASSEMBLYASSEMBLY..

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

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

83 Revolutionary 83 Revolutionary DepartmentsDepartments

February 26, 1790February 26, 1790

The Royal Family The Royal Family Attempts Attempts

to Fleeto FleeY June, 1791June, 1791

Y Helped by the Swedish Count Hans Helped by the Swedish Count Hans Axel von Fusen [Marie Antoinette’s Axel von Fusen [Marie Antoinette’s lover].lover].

Y Headed toward the Headed toward the LuxembourgLuxembourgborder.border.

Y The King wasThe King wasrecognized atrecognized atVarennes, nearVarennes, nearthe borderthe border

Olympe de Gouges Olympe de Gouges (1745-1793)(1745-1793)

Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of the Rights of

WomanWomanand of the and of the

Citizen Citizen (1791)(1791)

Declaration of Declaration of the Rights of the Rights of

WomanWomanand of the and of the

Citizen Citizen (1791)(1791)

V Women played a Women played a vital role in the vital role in the Revolution.Revolution.

V But, But, The Declaration The Declaration of the Rights of Manof the Rights of Man did NOT extend the did NOT extend the rights and rights and protections of protections of citizenship to citizenship to women.women.

The First Coalition The First Coalition &&

TheThe Brunswick Brunswick ManifestoManifesto

(August 3, 1792)(August 3, 1792)

FRANCEFRANCE1792

-1797

1792-

1797AUSTRIAAUSTRIAPRUSSIAPRUSSIABRITAINBRITAINSPAINSPAINPIEDMONTPIEDMONT

Duke of BrunswickDuke of Brunswick if the Royal Family is if the Royal Family is harmed,harmed, Paris will be leveled!! Paris will be leveled!!

This military crisis undermined the new This military crisis undermined the new Legislative Assembly.Legislative Assembly.

French Soldiers & the French Soldiers & the Tricolor:Tricolor:

ViveVive Le Patrie!Le Patrie!V The French armies The French armies were ill-prepared for were ill-prepared for the conflict.the conflict.

V ½ of the officer ½ of the officer corps had corps had emigrated.emigrated.

V Many men disserted.Many men disserted.

V New recruits were New recruits were enthusiastic, butenthusiastic, butill-trained.ill-trained.

V French troops often French troops often broke ranks and fled broke ranks and fled in disorder.in disorder.

French Expansion: French Expansion: 1791-17991791-1799

Read More About the RevolutionRead More About the Revolution

Bibliographic ResourcesBibliographic Resources

« ““Hist210—Europe in the Age of Hist210—Europe in the Age of Revolutions.”Revolutions.”http://www.ucl.ac.uk/history/courses/europe1/chron/rch5.htm

« “ “Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: Liberty, Fraternity, Equality: Exploring the French Revolution.”Exploring the French Revolution.” http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/

« Matthews, Andrew. Matthews, Andrew. Revolution and Revolution and Reaction: Europe, 1789-1849Reaction: Europe, 1789-1849. . CambridgeCambridgeUniversity Press, 2001.University Press, 2001.

« “ “The Napoleonic Guide.” The Napoleonic Guide.” http://www.napoleonguide.com/index.htm