French reovlution

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Contents•Introduction•French society during the late 18th century•The outbreak of the revolution•France aboilishes Monarchy and becomes a repuclic•Did women have a revolution?•The abolition of slavery•The revolution and everyday life

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On the morning of 14 July 1789 .The whole city was alarmed. The king asked troops to open fire on citizens. The gathered in front of town hall nearly a 7000people.Talkinng about the king and his cruelity. They broke out into many buildings in search of arms. They went to eastern part of the city and marched straight to Bastille the fortes prison. In that heavy attacks the commander was killed. They released seven of them. They made the Bastille to fall. From that the conflicts against the monarch began in Paris and all over country. They strictly objected the rise in price of bread. This is starting step to a revolution.

•IntroductionIntroduction

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•French society during the late 18French society during the late 18thth centurycentury

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In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon family of kings ascended the throne of France. Upon his ascended the throne of France. Upon his accession the new king found an empty treasury. accession the new king found an empty treasury. Added to this was the cost of maintaining an Added to this was the cost of maintaining an extravagant court at the immense palace of extravagant court at the immense palace of Versailles. Under Louis XVI, France helped the Versailles. Under Louis XVI, France helped the thirteen American colonies to gain their thirteen American colonies to gain their independence from the common enemy, Britain. independence from the common enemy, Britain. To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of To meet its regular expenses, such as the cost of maintaining an army, the court, running maintaining an army, the court, running government offices or universities, the state was government offices or universities, the state was forced to increase taxes. French society in the forced to increase taxes. French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three eighteenth century was divided into three estates, and only members of the third estate estates, and only members of the third estate paid taxes. The members of the first two estates, paid taxes. The members of the first two estates, that is, the clergy and the nobility, enjoyed that is, the clergy and the nobility, enjoyed certain privileges by birth. The most important of certain privileges by birth. The most important of these was exemption from paying taxes to the these was exemption from paying taxes to the state. The burden of financing activities of the state. The burden of financing activities of the state through taxes was borne by the third estate state through taxes was borne by the third estate alone. alone.


The struggle to surviveThe struggle to survive There were drastical changes in France the population suddenly rose from 23million to 28 million in 1789. This led to a great demand for food grains in France. And the production of grains was in same pace. This led to fixed wages. Therefore the poor can't meet their needs. And famine occurred at once. this circumstances led to subsistence crisis which mean an extreme situation where needs of livelihood become endangered.The growing middle class envisages end to The growing middle class envisages end to privilegesprivilegesThe revolt against taxes and food rose very severe. The merchants and educated persons opposed the government. They say that the government should be divided according to the qualifications and literacy. They formed a group known as middle class, it consists of overseas trades and manufactures of goods. One of the great philosopher and thinker John Locke mentioned in his writing of The Treatises of Government . He told that there shouldn’t be any monarch only people are government and supreme.

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Rousseau carried the idea forward, proposing a form of government based on a social contract between people and their representatives. In The Spirit of the Laws, Montesquieu proposed a division of power within the government between the legislative, the executive and the judiciary. This model of government was put into force in the USA, after the thirteen colonies declared their independence from Britain. The American constitution and its guarantee of individual rights was an important example for political thinkers i France. The ideas of these philosophers were discussed intensively in salons and coffee-houses and spread among people through books and newspapers. These were frequently read aloud in groups for the benefit of those who could not read and write. The news that Louis XVI planned to impose further taxes to be able to meet the expenses of the state generated anger and protest against the system of privileges.

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The Outbreak of the The Outbreak of the RevolutionRevolution

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In France the monarch did not have the power to impose In France the monarch did not have the power to impose taxes a Rather he had to call a meeting of the Estates taxes a Rather he had to call a meeting of the Estates General which would then pass his proposals for new General which would then pass his proposals for new taxes. according to his will alone. The Estates General taxes. according to his will alone. The Estates General was a political body to which the three estates sent their was a political body to which the three estates sent their representatives. The last On 5 May 1789, Louis XVI called representatives. The last On 5 May 1789, Louis XVI called together an assembly of the Estates General to pass together an assembly of the Estates General to pass proposals for new taxes. Time it was done was in 1614. proposals for new taxes. Time it was done was in 1614. The first and second estates sent 300 representatives The first and second estates sent 300 representatives each, who were seated in rows opposite to each other, each, who were seated in rows opposite to each other, while the 600 members of the third estate stood back. while the 600 members of the third estate stood back. Voting in the Estates General in the past had been Voting in the Estates General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote. But members of the third estate demanded that one vote. But members of the third estate demanded that voting now be conducted by the assembly as a whole, voting now be conducted by the assembly as a whole, where each member would have one vote. When the king where each member would have one vote. When the king rejected this proposal, members of the third estate rejected this proposal, members of the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest. On 20 June they walked out of the assembly in protest. On 20 June they assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles. They declared themselves a grounds of Versailles. They declared themselves a National Assembly and swore not to disperse till they had National Assembly and swore not to disperse till they had drafted a constitution for France that would limit the drafted a constitution for France that would limit the powers of the monarch. powers of the monarch.


The Palace of The Palace of VersaillesVersailles

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They were led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès. Louis They were led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès. Louis XVI finally accorded recognition to the National XVI finally accorded recognition to the National Assembly and accepted the principle that his Assembly and accepted the principle that his powers would from now on be checked by a powers would from now on be checked by a constitution.. On the night of 4 August 1789, the constitution.. On the night of 4 August 1789, the Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal Assembly passed a decree abolishing the feudal system of obligations and taxes. Members of the system of obligations and taxes. Members of the clergy too were forced to give up their privileges. clergy too were forced to give up their privileges. The National Assembly completed the draft of the The National Assembly completed the draft of the constitution in 1791. Its main object was to limit constitution in 1791. Its main object was to limit the powers of the monarch. These powers instead the powers of the monarch. These powers instead of being concentrated in the hands of one person of being concentrated in the hands of one person were now separated and assigned to different were now separated and assigned to different institutions. The legislature, executive and institutions. The legislature, executive and judiciary. This made France a constitutional judiciary. This made France a constitutional monarchy. Not all citizens, however, had the right monarchy. Not all citizens, however, had the right to vote. Only men above 25 years of age who paid to vote. Only men above 25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer’s wage taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer’s wage were given the status of active citizens, that is, were given the status of active citizens, that is, they were entitled to vote. The remaining men and they were entitled to vote. The remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens.all women were classed as passive citizens.


The Tennis Court The Tennis Court OathOath

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•France aboilishes Monarchy and becomes France aboilishes Monarchy and becomes a repuclica repuclicAlthough Louis XVI had signed the Constitution, he Although Louis XVI had signed the Constitution, he

entered into secret negotiations with the King of Prussia. entered into secret negotiations with the King of Prussia. Rulers of other neighbouring countries too were worried Rulers of other neighbouring countries too were worried by the developments in France and made plans to send by the developments in France and made plans to send troops to put down the events that had been taking place troops to put down the events that had been taking place there since the summer of 1789. Before this could there since the summer of 1789. Before this could happen, the National Assembly voted in April 1792 to happen, the National Assembly voted in April 1792 to declare war against Prussia and Austria. The revolutionary declare war against Prussia and Austria. The revolutionary wars brought losses and economic difficulties to the wars brought losses and economic difficulties to the people. Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to people. Constitution of 1791 gave political rights only to the richer sections of society. Political clubs became an the richer sections of society. Political clubs became an important rallying point for people who wished to discuss important rallying point for people who wished to discuss government policies and plan their own forms of action. government policies and plan their own forms of action. The most successful of these clubs was that of the The most successful of these clubs was that of the Jacobins Women too, who had been active throughout this Jacobins Women too, who had been active throughout this period, formed their own clubs. The members of the period, formed their own clubs. The members of the Jacobin club belonged mainly to the less prosperous Jacobin club belonged mainly to the less prosperous sections of society. Their leader was Maximilian sections of society. Their leader was Maximilian Robespierre. These Jacobins came to be known as the Robespierre. These Jacobins came to be known as the sans-culottes, literally meaning .those without knee sans-culottes, literally meaning .those without knee breeches.. Sans culottes men wore in addition the red cap breeches.. Sans culottes men wore in addition the red cap that symbolised liberty. Women however were not that symbolised liberty. Women however were not allowed to do so. allowed to do so.


On the morning of August 10 they stormed the Palace of the On the morning of August 10 they stormed the Palace of the Tuileries, massacred the king’s guards and held the king himself Tuileries, massacred the king’s guards and held the king himself as hostage for several hours. Later the Assembly voted to as hostage for several hours. Later the Assembly voted to imprison the royal family. Elections were held. From now on all imprison the royal family. Elections were held. From now on all men of 21 years and above, regardless of wealth, got the right to men of 21 years and above, regardless of wealth, got the right to vote. The newly elected assembly was called the Convention. On vote. The newly elected assembly was called the Convention. On 21 September 1792 it abolished the monarchy and declared 21 September 1792 it abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on France a republic. Louis XVI was sentenced to death by a court on the charge of the charge of treasontreason. On 21 January 1793 he was executed . On 21 January 1793 he was executed publicly at the Place de la Concorde. The queen Marie Antoinette publicly at the Place de la Concorde. The queen Marie Antoinette met with the same fate shortly after. The period from 1793 to met with the same fate shortly after. The period from 1793 to 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror. Robespierre followed a 1794 is referred to as the Reign of Terror. Robespierre followed a policy of severe control and punishment. If the court found policy of severe control and punishment. If the court found them .guilty. they were guillotined. The guillotine is a device them .guilty. they were guillotined. The guillotine is a device consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is consisting of two poles and a blade with which a person is beheaded. It was named after Dr Guillotin who invented it. beheaded. It was named after Dr Guillotin who invented it. Robespierre.s government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling Robespierre.s government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants on wages and prices. Meat and bread were rationed. Peasants were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at were forced to transport their grain to the cities and sell it at prices fixed by the government. all citizens were required to eat prices fixed by the government. all citizens were required to eat the the pain d.égalité pain d.égalité (equality bread), a loaf made of wholewheat. (equality bread), a loaf made of wholewheat. Churches were shut down and their buildings converted into Churches were shut down and their buildings converted into barracks or offices Robespierre pursued his policies so relentlessly barracks or offices Robespierre pursued his policies so relentlessly that even his supporters began to demand moderation. Finally, he that even his supporters began to demand moderation. Finally, he was convicted by a court in July 1794, arrested and on the next was convicted by a court in July 1794, arrested and on the next day sent to the guillotine.day sent to the guillotine.

Women hoped that their involvement would pressurize the Women hoped that their involvement would pressurize the revolutionary government to introduce measures to improve their revolutionary government to introduce measures to improve their lives. Most women of the third estate had to work or a living. Most lives. Most women of the third estate had to work or a living. Most women did not have access to education or job training. Only women did not have access to education or job training. Only daughters of nobles or wealthier members of the third estate daughters of nobles or wealthier members of the third estate could study at a convent, after which their families arranged a could study at a convent, after which their families arranged a marriage for them. Their wages were lower than those of men. In marriage for them. Their wages were lower than those of men. In order to discuss and voice their interests women started their own order to discuss and voice their interests women started their own political clubs and newspapers. About sixty women’s clubs came political clubs and newspapers. About sixty women’s clubs came up in different French cities. The Society of Revolutionary and up in different French cities. The Society of Revolutionary and Republican Women was the most famous of them. One of their Republican Women was the most famous of them. One of their main demands was that women enjoy the same political rights as main demands was that women enjoy the same political rights as men. Women were disappointed that the Constitution of 1791 men. Women were disappointed that the Constitution of 1791 reduced them to passive citizens. In the early years, the reduced them to passive citizens. In the early years, the revolutionary government did introduce laws that helped improve revolutionary government did introduce laws that helped improve the lives of women. Together with the creation of state schools, the lives of women. Together with the creation of state schools, schooling was made compulsory for all girls. Their fathers could no schooling was made compulsory for all girls. Their fathers could no longer force them into marriage against their will. Women could longer force them into marriage against their will. Women could now train for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses. now train for jobs, could become artists or run small businesses. During the Reign of Terror, the new government issued laws During the Reign of Terror, the new government issued laws ordering closure of women’s clubs and banning their political ordering closure of women’s clubs and banning their political activities. Many prominent women were arrested and a number of activities. Many prominent women were arrested and a number of them executed. The fight for the vote was carried out through an them executed. The fight for the vote was carried out through an international suffrage movement during the late nineteenth and international suffrage movement during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. It was finally in 1946 that women in early twentieth centuries. It was finally in 1946 that women in France won the right to vote. France won the right to vote.

•Did women have a revolution?

One of the most revolutionary social reforms of the One of the most revolutionary social reforms of the Jacobin Regime was the abolition of slavery. The Jacobin Regime was the abolition of slavery. The reluctance of the Europeans to go to the work in distant reluctance of the Europeans to go to the work in distant lands had led to the shortage of the labour on the lands had led to the shortage of the labour on the plantations. So this was met by a triangular slave trade plantations. So this was met by a triangular slave trade between Europe, Africa and Americas. It began in the between Europe, Africa and Americas. It began in the seventeenth century. Many people protested this but the seventeenth century. Many people protested this but the national assembly did not pass any laws fearing national assembly did not pass any laws fearing opposition from big businessmen whose incomes opposition from big businessmen whose incomes depended on the slave trade. It was finally the Convention depended on the slave trade. It was finally the Convention which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in the French. which in 1794 legislated to free all slaves in the French. Ten years later napoleon reintroduced slavery. Slavery Ten years later napoleon reintroduced slavery. Slavery was finally abolished in French colonies in 1848. The was finally abolished in French colonies in 1848. The government passed many laws and one of the important government passed many laws and one of the important one was the abolition of censorship which helped the one was the abolition of censorship which helped the press to publish many newspapers and books without press to publish many newspapers and books without seeking the permission of the monarch in 1789.In 1804 seeking the permission of the monarch in 1789.In 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France. Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France. He introduced many laws such as the protection of He introduced many laws such as the protection of private property and a uniform system of weights and private property and a uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system. He was finally measures provided by the decimal system. He was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815.defeated at Waterloo in 1815.

The Abolition of SlaveryThe Abolition of Slavery


One important law that came into effect soon after the One important law that came into effect soon after the storming of the Bastille in the summer of 1789 was the storming of the Bastille in the summer of 1789 was the abolition of censorship. In the Old Regime all written material abolition of censorship. In the Old Regime all written material and cultural activities . books, newspapers, plays . could be and cultural activities . books, newspapers, plays . could be published or performed only after they had been approved by published or performed only after they had been approved by the censors of the king. Freedom of the press also meant that the censors of the king. Freedom of the press also meant that opposing views of events could be expressed. In 1804, opposing views of events could be expressed. In 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France. Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France. Napoleon saw his role as a moderniser of Europe. He Napoleon saw his role as a moderniser of Europe. He introduced many laws such as the protection of private introduced many laws such as the protection of private property and a uniform system of weights and measures property and a uniform system of weights and measures provided by the decimal system. Initially, many saw Napoleon provided by the decimal system. Initially, many saw Napoleon as a liberator who would bring freedom for the people. But soon as a liberator who would bring freedom for the people. But soon the Napoleonic armies came to be viewed everywhere as an the Napoleonic armies came to be viewed everywhere as an invading force. He was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815. invading force. He was finally defeated at Waterloo in 1815. Many of his measures that carried the revolutionary ideas of Many of his measures that carried the revolutionary ideas of liberty and modern laws to other parts of Europe had an impact liberty and modern laws to other parts of Europe had an impact on people long after Napoleon had left. Colonised peoples on people long after Napoleon had left. Colonised peoples reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into their reworked the idea of freedom from bondage into their movements to create a sovereign nation state. Tipu Sultan and movements to create a sovereign nation state. Tipu Sultan and Rammohan Roy are two examples of individuals who Rammohan Roy are two examples of individuals who responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France.responded to the ideas coming from revolutionary France.

•The revolution and The revolution and everyday lifeeveryday life


MERCMERCII(‘thank you’ in French)(‘thank you’ in French)AKHILESAKHILESHHSUSRUTSUSRUTHHVAMSI VAMSI RAMRAMRAHULSRAHULSAIAISUMANTSUMANTHH

French reovlution

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