Crane BrintonCrane Brinton’’s s Anatomy of a Anatomy of a

RevolutionRevolution

Compares a revolution to a Compares a revolution to a fever or a disease:fever or a disease:

The revolutionary The revolutionary ““feverfever”” begins with the begins with the appearance of certain appearance of certain ““symptoms.symptoms.””

It proceeds by advances It proceeds by advances and retreats to a crisis and retreats to a crisis stage, or stage, or ““delirium.delirium.””

The crisis ends when the The crisis ends when the ““feverfever”” breaks. breaks.

A period of A period of convalescence follows, convalescence follows, interrupted by a relapse interrupted by a relapse or two before the or two before the recovery is complete.recovery is complete.

Crane Brinton: Conditions Crane Brinton: Conditions Present Before a Revolution Present Before a Revolution

OccursOccurs1.1. People from all social classes are People from all social classes are discontented.discontented.

2.2. People feel restless and held down by People feel restless and held down by unacceptable restrictions in society, religion, unacceptable restrictions in society, religion, the economy or the govt.the economy or the govt.

3.3. People are hopeful about the future, but they People are hopeful about the future, but they are being forced to accept less than they had are being forced to accept less than they had hoped for.hoped for.

4.4. People are beginning to think of themselves People are beginning to think of themselves as belonging to a social class, and there is a as belonging to a social class, and there is a growing bitterness between social classes.growing bitterness between social classes.

5.5. The social classes closest to one another are The social classes closest to one another are the most hostile.the most hostile.

Crane Brinton: Conditions Crane Brinton: Conditions Present Before a Revolution Present Before a Revolution

OccursOccurs6.6. The scholars and thinkers give up on the way The scholars and thinkers give up on the way their society operates.their society operates.

7.7. The government does not respond to the The government does not respond to the needs of its society.needs of its society.

8.8. The leaders of the government and the ruling The leaders of the government and the ruling class begin to doubt themselves. Some join class begin to doubt themselves. Some join with the opposition groups.with the opposition groups.

9.9. The government is unable to get enough The government is unable to get enough support from any group to save itself.support from any group to save itself.

10.10. The government cannot organize its finances The government cannot organize its finances correctly and is either going bankrupt or trying correctly and is either going bankrupt or trying to tax heavily and unjustly.to tax heavily and unjustly.

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

Marie Antoinette & Louis Marie Antoinette & Louis XVIXVI

Marie Marie AntoinetAntoinet

te te and the and the Royal Royal

ChildrenChildren

Let Them Eat Cake! Let Them Eat Cake!

Marie Antoinette NEVER said that!Marie Antoinette NEVER said that!

““Madame DeficitMadame Deficit

““The Austrian WhoreThe Austrian Whore””

Socio-Economic Data, Socio-Economic Data, 17891789

The French Urban The French Urban PoorPoor

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% of Income Spent on Bread

1787

1788

French Budget, French Budget, 17741774

Lettres de CachetLettres de Cachet

The French king could warrantThe French king could warrantimprisonment or death in aimprisonment or death in asigned letter under his seal.signed letter under his seal.

A A carte-blanchecarte-blanche warrant. warrant.

Cardinal Fleury issued 80,000Cardinal Fleury issued 80,000during the reign of Louis XV!during the reign of Louis XV!

Eliminated in 1790.Eliminated in 1790.

Commoners3rd Estate

Aristocracy

2nd Estate

Clergy1st Estate

The Suggested Voting The Suggested Voting Pattern:Pattern:

Voting by EstatesVoting by Estates1

1

1

Louis XIV insisted that Louis XIV insisted that the ancient distinction of the the ancient distinction of the three orders be conserved in its entirety.three orders be conserved in its entirety.

Commoners3rd Estate

Aristocracy2nd Estate

Clergy1st Estate

The Number of The Number of RepresentativesRepresentatives

in the Estates General: Vote in the Estates General: Vote by Head!by Head!300

300

648

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

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!

““The Third Estate The Third Estate AwakensAwakens””The commoners finally presented their credentials The commoners finally presented their credentials

not as delegates of the Third Estate, but as not as delegates of the Third Estate, but as ““representatives of the nation.representatives of the nation.””

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

““The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath””

by Jacques Louis Davidby Jacques Louis David

June 20, 1789June 20, 1789

Europe on the Eve Europe on the Eve of theof the

French RevolutionFrench Revolution

Storming the Bastille, Storming the Bastille, July July 14, 178914, 1789

A rumor that the king was planning a military coup A rumor that the king was planning a military coup against the National Assembly.against the National Assembly.

18 died.18 died.

73 wounded.73 wounded.

7 guards killed.7 guards killed.

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

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 The extremists try to create a ““heaven-on-heaven-on-earthearth”” by introducing their whole program 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!

The Great Fear: The Great Fear: Peasant RevoltPeasant Revolt

(July 20, 1789)(July 20, 1789)

Rumors that the feudal aristocracy [the Rumors that the feudal aristocracy [the aristosaristos] were ] were sending hired brigands to attack peasants and sending hired brigands to attack peasants and pillage their land.pillage their land.

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

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 . . . . .

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!]

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

the Citizenthe CitizenAugust 26, August 26,

17891789

Liberty!Liberty!

Property!Property!

Resistance to Resistance to oppression!oppression!

Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was in Paris at was in Paris at this time.this time.

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

the Citizen the Citizen Posed New DilemmasPosed New Dilemmas

1.1. Did women have equal rights with Did women have equal rights with men?men?

2.2. What about free blacks in the What about free blacks in the colonies?colonies?

3.3. How could slavery be justified if all How could slavery be justified if all men were born free?men were born free?

4.4. Did religious toleration of Protestants Did religious toleration of Protestants and Jews include equal political and Jews include equal political rights?rights?

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

We want the baker, the bakerWe want the baker, the baker’’s wife s wife and the bakerand the baker’’s boy!s boy!

A spontaneous demonstration of Parisian A spontaneous demonstration of Parisian women for bread.women for bread.

The The ““October DaysOctober 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..

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

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

security.security.

Depreciation of the Depreciation of the AssignatAssignat

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

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

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.

New Relations New Relations Between Church & Between Church &

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

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.

It transformed FranceIt transformed France’’ssRoman 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 Louis XVI ““AcceptsAccepts”” the the Constitution Constitution

& the National Assembly. & the National Assembly. 17911791

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

A Bourgeois A Bourgeois GovernmentGovernment

The king got the The king got the ““suspensivesuspensive”” veto 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.

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.

An independent judiciary.An independent judiciary.

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

A Bourgeois A Bourgeois GovernmentGovernment

““ActiveActive”” Citizen Citizen [who pays taxes [who pays taxes amounting to 3 days labor] could vote amounting to 3 days labor] could vote vs. vs. ““PassivePassive”” Citizen 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.

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!

The Royal Family The Royal Family Attempts Attempts

to Fleeto Flee June, 1791June, 1791

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

Headed toward the Headed toward the LuxembourgLuxembourgborder.border.

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

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

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

But, But, The Declaration of The Declaration of the Rights of Manthe 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! The French armies The French armies were ill-prepared for were ill-prepared for the conflict.the conflict.

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

Many men disserted.Many men disserted.

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

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