French revolution

EvEnts and EvEnts and procEssEsprocEssEs

thE FrEnch rEvolution

EvEnts and procEssEsEvEnts and procEssEs The instances---occur only once---lifetime---person---impact forever. They are termed---EVENTSEVENTS A series actions---occurring---before and after the events---termed---

PROCESSESPROCESSES Events and processes---interrelated. Eg. Marriage---fix date, time, month, year---Event Preparations for the marriage and changes in the life after marriage---

Processes

thE FrEnch thE FrEnch rEvolutiorEvolutionn

thE FrEnch rEvolutiothE FrEnch rEvolutionnQ. What is Q. What is

revolution?revolution? A revolution is a fundamental

change in power or organizational structures that takes place in a relatively short period of time.

A forcible overthrow of a government or social order, in favor of a new system.

Any fundamental change or reversal of condition.

Q. What are the Q. What are the causes for the causes for the French revolution?French revolution?

Political cause---poor leadership Economic cause---financial crisis Social causes---inequalities in

society Immediate cause---record cold

and widespread hunger Intellectual cause---enlightenment

ideas

thE FrEnch rEvolutiothE FrEnch rEvolutionn On the morning---14th July 1789—city of Paris—alarm The king---commanded---move into the city Rumours---command---army—open fire---citizens 7000---men and women---gathered---in front of---town hall---to form

peoples’ militia. They broke into---govt. buildings---in search---arms

Questns: (1mk each)

1) When was the city of Paris in the state of alarm?

2) What was the reason for alarming? or what rumours were spreading in the city?

3) How many people had gathered? where? why?

4) What did the people do?

Or

1)Explain what happened on the morning of 14 t h July 1789? (4mks)

thE FortrEss prison---thE FortrEss prison---BastillEBastillE

Several people---marched---eastern part of the city---stormed---the fortress prison---Bastille

People hoped---to find---hoarded ammunition

The commander---killed There were only 7 inmates---

freed Bastille---demolished---stone

fragments—sold in markets---souvenir---destruction

Questn:1 mk each)1) Which was the fortress

prison that was stormed?2) How many inmates were

there?

thE FrEnch rEvolutiothE FrEnch rEvolutionn Rioting in Paris and countryside---increased Protests---against---high price of bread These protests---beginning of a chain of events---led to---execution

on the king in France Such outcomes----not anticipated

Questions?(1mk each)

1) Why did the people protest?

2) What was the result of such protests?

3) Were these protests the end of the revolution?

Or

1) What happened after the storming of the fortress prison , the Basti l le ? (2mks)

What led to the French revolution???? orWhat were the reasons that led to such events in France????????

Why was the Bastille prison stormed????Why did the price of bread hike????Why did the people react so violently???

Let’s understand it one by one.

FrEnch sociEty during thE FrEnch sociEty during thE latE EightEEnth cEnturylatE EightEEnth cEntury

In 1774---Louis XVI---Bourbon family---ascended---throne---France

He was 20yrs---married---Austrian princess---Marie Antoinette

She ---fond---lavish lifestyle She later became known as Madame

Deficit The royal family was subsequently

imprisoned at the Temple Prison. Louis XVI was deposed and the

monarchy abolished Marie Antoinette, after her husband's

execution was convicted by the Revolutionary Tribunal of treason, and executed by guillotine.

thE palacE oF thE palacE oF vErsaillEsvErsaillEs

Versailles was a country village when the palace was built.

Today it is a wealthy suburb of Paris, some 20 kilometers southwest of the French capital.

The court of Versailles was the center of political power in France from 1682

The royal family was forced to return to the capital after the beginning of the French Revolution.

Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy.

FrEnch sociEty during thE FrEnch sociEty during thE latE EightEEnth cEnturylatE EightEEnth cEntury

France---supported 13 American colonies---7 yr war with Britain---independence.

This led---billion livers---debt Lavish life style of the royal family. Maintenance---court---palace of Versailles The royal treasury---empty Lenders---began charging---10%interest on loans So the French govt---spend increasing %---budget---interest payments To meet expenses---cost of maintaining army, court, running govt

offices or universities---govt increased taxes. Livers-unit of currency used before 1794. Q.1 For what did the govt spend its maximum budget? (1 mk) Why did the govt increase taxes?(1 mk)

social causEsocial causE French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three

estates. The society of the estates was part of the feudal system. Thus the society and institutions of France before 1789 is usually

termed as Old or Ancient Regime. King at the top and the estates under him. Only members of the third estate paid taxes. This also became one of the major cause that led to French Revolution

A Society of eStAteSA Society of eStAteS1st estate

2nd estate

3rd estate

Clergy

Nobil ity

Big businessmen, merchants, court off icials,

lawyers, etc.

Peasants and artisans

Small peasants, landless labor, servants

Q. In what ways did the three estates vary widely?Ans-In terms of work and taxes that they contributed.

the three eStAteS

three eStAteS three eStAteS

three eStAteS three eStAteS The nobles enjoyed feudal privileges---extracting feudal dues---

peasants Peasants---render services to lord---work in his house & field---also

serve army---build roads, etc. The Church---extracted taxes---peasants called tithes.---10% of total

agricultural produce All members of third estate---direct taxes to the state---called tai l le &

indirect taxes---salt or tobacco. Thus third estate alone---bear---burden of financing---state---taxes

Questions(1mk each)

1. What is t ithe?

2. What is tai l le?

3. Which estate borne the burden of f inancing activit ies of the state?

the Struggle to the Struggle to SurviveSurvive

The population---rose---23million in 1715---28 million in 1789 This led---increase in demand---grains Production of grains---slow---could not keep pace with the demand In the 1780s, a strong El Nino had formed over the Americas causing

several bitterly cold winters in Europe. Reports in the winter of 1788 were of hail so large that it could kill a

man unfortunate enough to be caught in the storm. The bitter cold spell damaged the wheat harvest, which led to a

shortage of wheat. As a result---price of bread—staple diet of the majority---rose rapidly This jump in prices hurt the poorest of the citizens.

the Struggle to the Struggle to SurviveSurvive

Workers(laborers)---workshops---fixed wages---did not---increase Thus gap between---poor & rich---widened Things worsened---drought or hail---as harvest reduced This led---subsistence crisis- --an extreme situation where

basic means of livelihood are endangered. This occurred frequently in Old Regime

Questions:

1. What was the staple food of the majority of the people in France?

2. What is subsistence crisis?

3. What was the cause of increase in the price of the bread?

SubSiStence criSiSSubSiStence criSiS

Bad harvest

Scarcity of grains

Rising food

prices

The poorest can no longer buy

bread

Food riots

Weaker bodies

Diseases and

epidemics

Increased number of

deaths

A growing middle clASS A growing middle clASS enviSAgeS An end to privilegeSenviSAgeS An end to privilegeS

In the past---peasants & workers---revolted---increasing taxes and food scarcity

But they lacked---means & program---bring change---social & economic People---third estate---prosperous & access---education & new ideas---

take up---responsibility---bring the change The eighteenth century---witnessed---emergence---social groups---

termed middle class This class---earned wealth---expanding overseas trade & manufacture

of goods---woollen & silk textiles---sold to richer members of the society or exported


The professionals---lawyers or administrative officers---third estate---believed---no group in society---any privileges by birth

A person’s social position---depend---merit These ideas envisaging a society based---freedom, equal laws &

opportunities for all---put forward---philosophers---John Locke & Jean Jacques Rousseau.

Locke—his book---Two Treaties of Govt .---refuted the doctrine---divine & absolute right of the monarch.

Rousseau---proposed---form of govt---based---social contract between---people & their representatives

Montesquieu---The Spirit of Law—-political theory--- proposed---division of power----within the govt---btw—legislative, executive & judiciary

John locke

monteSquieu

JeAn JAcqueS rouSSeAu


America---after the independence---thirteen colonies---put into force---model of govt

American constitution & its individual rights guarantee---inspired political thinkers in France

The ideas---discussed---salons & coffee houses & spread thru books & newspapers

These ideas---read aloud---illiterates to understand The news---Louis XVI---planning---impose further taxes---meet expenses

--- state---generated anger & protest---against---system of privileges

Envisages– a desirable future event

the outbreAk of the the outbreAk of the revolutionrevolution

In France of Old Regime---monarch alone did not---power---impose taxes

He---call---meeting---Estates General---pass his proposals---new taxes Estates General---a political body to which the three estates sent their

representatives But monarch---alone---decide when to call a meeting The last meeting---1614 On 5th May 1789---Louis XVI---called---assembly---Estates General---

pass---proposal of new taxes The resplendent(attractive) hall in Versailles---prepared---host the

delegates The 1st & 2nd estates---300 representatives each---seated—facing each

other 600 members---third estate---prosperous & educated members---stood

back

The ouTbreak of The The ouTbreak of The revoluTionrevoluTion

Peasants, women & artisans---denied entry Their grievances & demands---listed---40,000 letters Voting in the assembly--- each estate---one vote But now---third estate---demanded---every member---one vote This democratic principle---put forward---philosophers---Rousseau---in

his book---The Social Contract When the king---rejected---members of 3rd estate---walked out---in

protest

Questions:

1. When was the meeting of Estates General called by Louis XVI?

2. How many members were represented from each estate?

3. What were the demand of the third estate?


The Tennis Court Oath was a pivotal event during the first days of the French Revolution.

This day---the 3rd estate representatives declared themselves---National Assembly---swore---not to disperse---till they drafted---Constitution for France

Mirabeau---born---noble family---convinced---need to do away with a society of feudal privileges---delivered powerful speeches

Abbe Sieyes---priest---wrote---influential pamphlet---what is the 3rd estate?

These two people led the members of 3rd estate on 20th June 1789


While the National Assembly---drafting Constitution---rest of France---seethed with turmoil

A severe winter---bad harvest---raising bread price---bakers exploited the situation---hoarding supplies

After hrs---waiting in queues---crowds of angry women---stormed---shops

The king---ordered---troops---move---Paris The agitated crowd---stormed & destroyed---Bastille---on 14 th July The rumors spread---lords of manor---hired---bands of brigands---

destroy---ripe crops Out of frenzy fear---peasants---attacked Chateaux They looted hoarded grain & burnt down documents---manorial dues Many nobles---fled or migrated---neighboring countries

Turmoil– uncertainty; frenzy– mad

Seethed—intense anger; Brigands- robbers


As a result of the revolt---Louis XVI---accorded recognition---National Assembly---accepted---principle---his powers---checked---constitution

On 4th August---Assembly passed---decree abolishing---feudal system of obligations & taxes like tithes

Members of clergy---forced---give up---privileges Lands owned---Churches---confiscated The govt acquired assets worth at least 2 billion livers

Questions:

1. What is manor?-- -an estate consisting of the lord’s lands and his mansion.

2. What is Chateaux?-- -castles or stately residences belonging to a king or a nobleman

3. What was decided on the night of 4 t h August 1789?

france becomes a france becomes a consTiTuTional monarchyconsTiTuTional monarchy

National Assembly completed---draft of constitution---1791 Its main object---

a. limit monarch’s power &

b. instead of concentrating all the powers in one person’s hand assign them to diff institutions-legislature, executive and judiciary

Thus France became a Constitutional Monarchy The Constitution---vested law making power---National Assembly Citizens voted---electors---who chose---Assembly Voting rights---not---all citizens Only men above 25 yrs---paid taxes equal---3 days of a laborer’s wage---

given status---active citizens---eligible of voting Remaining men & all women---passive citizens To qualify---elector & member of Assembly---a man---belong---highest

bracket---tax payers


The Constitution began---Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen Rights such---right to life, freedom of speech & opinion, equality before

law---established---natural & inalienable’ rights These rights belonged---each human being by birth---not taken away It---duty---state---protect---citizen’s natural rights

Questions:

1. What is meant by natural & inalienable rights?

2. Who were allowed to vote or become a member of the assembly?

3. When was the constitution drafted? What was its main objective?


Original manuscript of the Constitution written in Polish

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, or of August 1789 is a fundamental document of the French Revolution and in the history of human rights.

france abolishes monarchy france abolishes monarchy and becomes a republicand becomes a republic

The situation in France continued to be tense In spite of signing the Constitution Louis XVI entered into secret

negotiations with the king of Prussia Other neighboring countries also were worried with the developments

& were ready to support king Louis XVI But before they could plan anything, the National Assembly voted in

April 1792 to declare war against Prussia & Austria People sang patriotic songs like Marseillaise composed by Roget de

L’lsle. The Marseillaise is now the national anthem of France. This led to wars---brought losses & economic difficulties---people Men---busy---war---women---task---livelihood---convincing people---carry

revolution further


Constitution---1791---political rights---richer sections---society Thus political clubs---such as Jacobins---named after convent of St.

Jacob of Paris emerged---discuss govt. policies Women too---active participant Jacobin club---included---small shopkeepers, servants, daily-wage

earners & artisans---shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers

Questions: (1 mk each)

1) Against whom was the war declared? Who declared it?

2) What happened due to wars?

3) Who took up the task of earning l ivel ihood?

4) Why were the polit ical clubs formed?

5) Who were the members of Jacobin club?


Their leader- Maximilian Robespierre

They decided---wear---long stripped trousers---dock workers---different from---nobles---wore---knee breeches

Thus were called---sans-culottes---means---those without knee breeches

They also wore red cap symbolizing liberty Q. Who was the leader?

Q. Who were sans-culottes?


In the summer 1792---Jacobin---planned---insurrection

This was against---short supplies & high prices of food.

On the morning of 10th Aug---stormed---palace of Tuileries, massacred king’s guards--- held king--- hostage.

Assembly voted--- imprisoning royal family

Elections--- now allowed--- men above 21---to vote.

Newly elected assembly--- called---Convention.

Insurrection--a violent uprising against an authority or government.

Questions:1)What happened on 10 th August 1792?

france abolishes monarchy and france abolishes monarchy and becomes a republicbecomes a republic

This governing body declared the abolition of the monarchy and established France as a republic.

21September 1792---- Monarchy abolished--- France--- declared Republic--- a form of Govt--- people elect--- Govt including its head---- no hereditary Monarchy.

Louis XVI--- executed publicly--- 21st Jan 1793 at Place de la Concorde. Queen Marie Antoinette--- same fate shortly.

1) When was Monarchy abolished in France?

2) When was Louis XVI executed?

3) What happened to Marie Antoinette?

The reign of TerrorThe reign of Terror Period from 1793- 94--- Reign

of Terror Robespierre--- Policy of severe

control and punishment. Enemies of Republic--- Ex-

nobles, clergy, members of other political parties, his own party members who disagreed--- imprisoned and tried--- Revolutionary Tribunal.

Guilty were--- guillotined---behead with a device consisting---two poles & a blade---named---Dr.Guillotine---invented it

Questions:

1) Which period was termed as Reign of Terror?(1 mk)

2) How did Robespierre govt punish its enemies?(1 mk)

The reign of TerrorThe reign of Terror Robespierre govt---issued laws---placing max---ceiling---wages & prices Meat & bread---rationed Peasants forced---transport their grains---cities & sell---prices fixed---

govt Use of expensive white flour forbidden---whole wheat to be used Equality practiced---speech & address All men & women---citoyen & citoyenne---citizen instead of Monsieur &

Madame Churches---shut down & turned---barracks or offices Robespierre---pursued---policies---relentlessly His supporters---demanded---moderation Finally he---convicted by court---27th July 1794---arrested---next day sent

to guillotine

Barracks—houses or convents

Relentlessly—strictly

Q.1) Explain the laws issued by Robespierre govt?(2 mks)

A direcTory rules frAnceA direcTory rules frAnce Fall of Jacobin govt---allowed---wealthier middle class seize power A new Constitution---denied---voting rights---non-propertied sections It provided---two elected legislative councils---appointed---Directory---an

executive made--- five members This meant---safeguarding against concentration of power in a one-

man executive as under Jacobins However, Directors clashed with legislatives councils The political instability---paved way---rise---military Dictator---Napoleon

Bonaparte Through---changes---form of govt---ideals of freedom, equality before

law, fraternity remained inspiring ideals---motivated political movements in France & rest of Europe---during---following century

Questions:

1) What were the inspiring ideals that motivated polit ical movements in France & rest of Europe? (1 mk)

2) How was the new Constitution?

did women hAve A revoluTion?did women hAve A revoluTion? From beginning--- women--- active participants--- events--- brought

changes---- French society. Most women--- third estate--- worked--- seamstress or laundresses,

domestic servant, sold flowers, fruits or vegetables--- for a living. Most women--- no access--- education or job training. Only daughters--- nobles or rich third estate--- studied at convent. Working women---complete daily household chores---cook, fetch water,

queue up for bread and look after the children. Their wages --- lower---men. So to discuss & voice their interest--- started---political clubs & news

papers.

Questions:

1) Discuss the l ife of women of the third estate? (2 mks)

2) Why did women start polit ical clubs & newspapers? (1 mk)

did women hAve A revoluTion?did women hAve A revoluTion? Out of the 60 clubs the society of Revolutionary and Republic women---

most famous. Main demands---enjoy equal political rights, be elected to the Assembly

& hold political office. In the early years ---the Govt--- introduced laws---improve women's’

lives Schooling---compulsory---girls Marriage made---contract---entered---freely and registered under civil

Law. Divorce---legal---applied---men & women.

Questions:

1) Which was the most famous women polit ical club? (1 mk)

2) What laws were introduced by the govt in the early years? (1 mk)

3) How was the l ife of women after the introduction of new law?(1 mk)

did women hAve A revoluTion?did women hAve A revoluTion? The women---trained for jobs,

become artists or run small business.

Their struggle for equal political rights continued.

During the Reign of Terror---closure of women political clubs & activities---ordered

But the movements---contd---next 200 yrs---i.e. late 19th & 20th centuries

The eg of political activities---French women---kept alive---as inspiring memory

Many prominent women---Olympe de Gouges---arrested & executed

Finally in 1946---women---voting rights

Questions: When did women finally got

their voting rights?(1 mk)

The AboliTion of slAveryThe AboliTion of slAvery Most revolutionary social reforms---Jacobin govt---abolition of slavery The colonies---Caribbean---Martinique, Guadeloupe & San Domingo---

suppliers---tobacco, coffee, sugar & indigo But Europeans---reluctant to work in far of places---leading to

shortage of labor Thus triangular slave trade---Europe , Africa & Americas fixed this

problem---began in 17th century French traders---sailed from ports of Bordeaux or Nantes---African

coast---buy slaves---local chieftains Branded & shackled slaves packed tightly in ships---3 months voyage

---across Atlantic to Caribbean---sold to plantation owners

Questions: (1 mk each)

1) What did the colonies in the Caribbean supply?

2) Between whom did the slave trade begin?

3) How, why and from where were the slaves bought?

The AboliTion of slAveryThe AboliTion of slAvery The exploitation of slaves increased the demand for products in

markets Thus these ports become economically prosperous Throughout 18th century little criticism---slavery in France National Assembly---long debates---regarding rights of man---all French

---including colonies no law---passed---fearing opposition--businessmen In 1794---the Convention---legislated---free all slaves However 10 yrs later---Napoleon reintroduced slavery Finally slavery--- abolished in French colonies in 1848

Questions:(1 mk each)

1) What led to the prosperity of the ports?

2) When did the Convention legislate to free al l the slaves?

3) Who reintroduced slavery?

4) When was slavery f inally abolished in French colonies?

The revoluTion And everydAy The revoluTion And everydAy lifelife

The yrs following 1789 saw many changes in France The revolutionary govt---passed laws---translate ideals of liberty &

equality After storming of Bastille---one imp law came into effect---abolition of

censorship In Old Regime---publications were approved by the censors of the king Now the Declaration of the rights of Man & Citizen proclaimed freedom

to speech & expression as natural right All reading materials---books, newspapers & pamphlets---described &

discussed events & changes---France Freedom of press also meant that opposing views could be expressed Plays, songs & festive processions---spread the ideas of liberty &

justice that political philosophers wrote at length in texts---read by handful of educated men

conclusionconclusion In 1804---Napoleon Bonaparte crowned---Emperor of France He conquered neighboring countries---placed his family members there He saw himself as modernizer of Europe He introduced laws---protection of private property, uniform system of

weights & measures Initially Napoleon---seen as liberator but soon found him to be invading

force He was defeated at Waterloo in 1815 Many of his revolutionary ideas of liberty & modern laws had ever

lasting impact on people These ideas were most important legacy of French Revolution---spread

to rest of Europe---19th century---abolishing feudal system Colonized people reworked from bondage to sovereign nation state Indians---Tipu Sultan and Raja Ram Mohan Roy responded to the ideas

of French Revolution.

The end ThAnk you

French revolution

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