Vocabulary

• Bourgeoisie• Deficit spending• Émigré• Republic• Suffrage

• Nationalism• Plebiscite• Annex• Abdicate• legitimacy

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, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of it was the epoch of incredulity…incredulity…

-- 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 Marie AntoineAntoine

tte tte and the and the Royal Royal

ChildrenChildren

Marie Antoinette’sMarie Antoinette’s“Peasant Cottage”“Peasant Cottage”

Marie Antoinette’sMarie Antoinette’s“Peasant Cottage”“Peasant Cottage”

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

a Urban Urban Commoner’sCommoner’sBudget:Budget:

– Food 80%Food 80%– Rent 25%Rent 25%– Tithe 10%Tithe 10%– Taxes 35%Taxes 35%– Clothing 20%Clothing 20%– TOTAL 170%TOTAL 170%

a King’s King’s Budget:Budget:

– Interest 50%Interest 50%– Army 25%Army 25%– Versailles 25%Versailles 25%– Coronation 10%Coronation 10%– Loans 25%Loans 25%– Admin. 25%Admin. 25%– TOTAL 160%TOTAL 160%

Financial ProblemsFinancial Problemsin France, 1789in France, 1789

Where is the tax Where is the tax money?money?

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

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 Awakens”Awakens”Y The commoners finally presented their The commoners finally presented their

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

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

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

by Jacques Louis Davidby Jacques Louis David

June 20, 1789June 20, 1789

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

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

Y 18 died.18 died.

Y 73 wounded.73 wounded.

Y 7 guards 7 guards killed.killed.

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

The Great Fear: The Great Fear: Peasant RevoltPeasant Revolt

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

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

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 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!

V 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 baker’s wife We want the baker, the baker’s wife and the baker’s boy!and the baker’s boy!

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

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]

ClergyClergyThe oath of allegiance The oath of allegiance permanently divided the Catholic permanently divided the Catholic

population!population!

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

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.

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

Chappaqua, NYChappaqua, NY

The “Second” The “Second” French RevolutionFrench Revolution

The National Convention:The National Convention:

Girondin Rule: 1792-1793Girondin Rule: 1792-1793

Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794[“Reign of Terror”][“Reign of Terror”]

Thermidorian Reaction: Thermidorian Reaction: 1794-17951794-1795

The Directory The Directory 1795-1799 1795-1799

The JacobinsThe JacobinsJacobin Meeting HouseJacobin Meeting House

They held their meetings in They held their meetings in the library of a former the library of a former

Jacobin monastery in Paris.Jacobin monastery in Paris.

Started as a debating Started as a debating society.society.

Membership mostly middle Membership mostly middle class.class.

Created a vast network of Created a vast network of clubs.clubs.

The The Sans-Culottes:Sans-Culottes:The Parisian Working The Parisian Working

ClassClass Small Small

shopkeepers.shopkeepers.

Tradesmen.Tradesmen.

Artisans.Artisans.

They shared many of They shared many of the ideals of their the ideals of their

middle class middle class representatives in representatives in

government!government!

The Storming of the The Storming of the Tuilieres:Tuilieres:

August 9-10, 1792August 9-10, 1792

This was triggered in part by the This was triggered in part by the publication in Paris of the August 3 publication in Paris of the August 3

Brunswick Manifesto, which confirmed Brunswick Manifesto, which confirmed popular suspicions concerning the popular suspicions concerning the

king’s treason.king’s treason.

The September The September Massacres, Massacres, 17921792

(The dark side of the (The dark side of the Revolution!)Revolution!)

Rumors that the anti-revolutionary political Rumors that the anti-revolutionary political prisoners were plotting to break out & attack prisoners were plotting to break out & attack from the rear the armies defending France, from the rear the armies defending France, while the Prussians attacked from the front.while the Prussians attacked from the front.

Buveurs de sangBuveurs de sang [“drinkers of blood.”] [“drinkers of blood.”] over over 1000 killed!1000 killed!

It discredited the Revolution among its It discredited the Revolution among its remaining sympathizers abroad.remaining sympathizers abroad.

The National The National ConventionConvention

(September, 1792)(September, 1792) Its first act was the formal Its first act was the formal abolition of the monarchy on abolition of the monarchy on

September 22, 1792.September 22, 1792.

The The Year IYear I of the French of the French Republic.Republic.

The Decree of FraternityThe Decree of Fraternity

it offered French assistance to it offered French assistance to any subject peoples who any subject peoples who

wished to overthrow their wished to overthrow their governments.governments.When France sneezes, When France sneezes,

all of Europe catches all of Europe catches cold!cold!

When France sneezes, When France sneezes, all of Europe catches all of Europe catches

cold!cold!

The Political The Political SpectrumSpectrum

JacobinJacobinss

MontagnarMontagnardsds

(“The (“The Mountain”)Mountain”)

GirondistsGirondistsMonarchíeMonarchíe

nn

(Royal(Royalists)ists)

1790s:1790s:The PlainThe Plain

(swing (swing votes)votes)

TODAY:TODAY:

The Politics of the The Politics of the National Convention National Convention

(1792-1795)(1792-1795)MontagnardsMontagnards Girondist

sGirondist

s Power base in Paris.Power base in Paris.

Main support from the Main support from the sans-culottessans-culottes..

Would adopt extreme Would adopt extreme measures to achieve measures to achieve

their goals.their goals.

Saw Paris as the center Saw Paris as the center of the Revolution.of the Revolution.

More centralized [in More centralized [in Paris] approach to Paris] approach to

government.government.

Power base in the Power base in the provinces.provinces.

Feared the Feared the influence of the influence of the sans-culottessans-culottes..

Feared the Feared the dominance of dominance of

Paris in national Paris in national politics.politics.

Supported more Supported more national national

government government centralization centralization [federalism].[federalism].

Louis XVI’s Head Louis XVI’s Head (January (January 21, 1793)21, 1793)c The trial of the The trial of the

king was hastened king was hastened by the discovery by the discovery

in a secret in a secret cupboard in the cupboard in the

Tuilieres of a Tuilieres of a cache of cache of

documents.documents.

c They proved They proved conclusively Louis’ conclusively Louis’

knowledge and knowledge and encouragement of encouragement of

foreign foreign intervention.intervention.

c The National The National Convention votedConvention voted

387 to 334387 to 334 to to execute the execute the monarchs.monarchs.

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette on the Way to the on the Way to the

GuillotineGuillotine

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Died in October, Died in October,

17931793

The The Levee en Masse:Levee en Masse:An Entire Nation at Arms! – 500,000 SoldiersAn Entire Nation at Arms! – 500,000 Soldiers

An army based on merit, not An army based on merit, not birth!birth!

The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror

Terror is nothing other than Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.

-- Robespierre-- RobespierreLet terror be Let terror be the order of the order of

the day!the day!c The Revolutionary The Revolutionary

Tribunal of Paris Tribunal of Paris alone executed alone executed

2,639 victims in 15 2,639 victims in 15 months.months.

c The total number of The total number of victims nationwide victims nationwide was over 20,000!was over 20,000!

The Guillotine:The Guillotine:An “Enlightenment An “Enlightenment

Tool”Tool”??Oh, thou charming guillotine, Oh, thou charming guillotine, You shorten kings and queens;You shorten kings and queens;

By your influence divine,By your influence divine,We have re-conquered our We have re-conquered our

rights.rights.Come to aid of the CountryCome to aid of the Country

And let your superb instrumentAnd let your superb instrumentBecome forever permanentBecome forever permanentTo destroy the impious sect.To destroy the impious sect.

Sharpen your razor for Pitt and Sharpen your razor for Pitt and his agentshis agents

Fill your divine sack with heads Fill your divine sack with heads of tyrants. of tyrants.

Different Social Different Social Classes Executed Classes Executed

28%

31%

25%

8%

7%

The “Monster” The “Monster” GuillotineGuillotine

The last guillotine execution in France was in The last guillotine execution in France was in 19391939!!

War of Resistance to the War of Resistance to the Revolution:Revolution:

The Vendee Revolt, 1793The Vendee Revolt, 1793

VendeeVendee Revolt, Revolt, 17931793

Drowning the Traitors!Drowning the Traitors!

Vendee Vendee Symbol:Symbol:For God For God & the & the King!King!

Why was there a Why was there a RevoltRevolt

in the in the VendeeVendee??1.1. The need for 300,000 French troopsThe need for 300,000 French troops

for the war effort.for the war effort.2.2. Rural peasantry still highly taxed.Rural peasantry still highly taxed.

3.3. Resentment of the Civil Constitution Resentment of the Civil Constitution the Clergy.the Clergy.

4.4. Peasants had failed to benefit fromPeasants had failed to benefit fromthe sale of church lands.the sale of church lands.

TARGETS:TARGETS:Local government Local government

officialsofficialsNational GuardsmenNational Guardsmen

Jurying priestsJurying priests

French Victory at French Victory at FleurusFleurus

June 26, 1794.June 26, 1794. France defeated France defeated

Austria.Austria. This opened the way to This opened the way to

the reoccupation of the reoccupation of Belgium!Belgium!

The “Thermidorean The “Thermidorean Reaction,” 1794Reaction,” 1794P July 26 July 26 Robespierre gives a Robespierre gives a

speech illustrating speech illustrating newnew

plots & plots & conspiracies.conspiracies.

he alienated members of the he alienated members of the CPS CPS

& CGS. & CGS. many felt threatened by his many felt threatened by his

implications.implications.

P July 27 July 27 the Convention the Convention arrestsarrests

Robespierre. Robespierre.

P July 28 July 28 Robespierre is tried Robespierre is tried &&

guillotined! guillotined!

The “Cultural The “Cultural Revolution”Brought About Revolution”Brought About

by the Conventionby the Convention It was premised upon Enlightenment It was premised upon Enlightenment principles of rationality.principles of rationality.

The metric system of weights and The metric system of weights and measuresmeasures

Was defined by the French Academy Was defined by the French Academy of Sciences in 1791 and enforced in of Sciences in 1791 and enforced in

1793.1793. It replaced weights and measures It replaced weights and measures

that had their origins in the Middle that had their origins in the Middle Ages.Ages.

The abolition of slavery within The abolition of slavery within France in 1791 and throughout the France in 1791 and throughout the

French colonies in 1794.French colonies in 1794. The Convention legalized divorce and The Convention legalized divorce and

enacted shared inheritance laws enacted shared inheritance laws [even for illegitimate offspring] in an [even for illegitimate offspring] in an

attempt to eradicate inequalities.attempt to eradicate inequalities.