FRENCH REVOLUTION

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FRENCH REVOLUTION CHAPTER 23 SECTION 1 & 2

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FRENCH REVOLUTION. CHAPTER 23 SECTION 1 & 2. The Old Order. France was the richest and most powerful monarchy in Europe. Working men and women wanted a better life (more rights) Influenced by American Revolution. French Society Divided. The Estates General - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Transcript of FRENCH REVOLUTION

The Old Order• France was the richest and most

powerful monarchy in Europe.• Working men and women wanted

a better life (more rights) • Influenced by American

Revolution

French Society DividedThe Estates General

France’s caste (social) system

1. First Estate – Clergy

2. Second Estate - Nobility

3. Third Estate – Everyone else

97% of population

French Society Divided (cont)

• The Second and Third Estate began having grievances with each other

• The quality of life for the Third Estate was horrible

• Many nobles felt that they belonged living in a palace

Growing Unrest• Third Estate began to call for

change–A growing population raised the

cost of living• The government was also in a

financial crisis

Calling The Estates Together1789

–The King called the Estates together–which had not been called since 1614

• Representatives from each estate met with the King.

• Third Estate wanted to be equal with other Estates.

Calling The Estates (cont)

• The King would eventually lock the third estate out of the meeting

• The Third Estate would form the national Assembly and take the Tennis Court Oath

Constitutional Government• Violence swept the countryside

– the National Assembly worked to form a new government.

• Peasant unrest and violence forced the National Assembly to make reforms

Constitutional Government (cont)

1. Nobles voted to end their privileges

2. Inspired by the American Revolution, The French wrote their own Declaration of Rights

3. Constitutional Government in France led to unrest and violence

A Call For Revolt• National Assembly

–wanted to change French social order• The kings planed to dissolve the

National Assembly

Storming the Bastille• The king refused to accept any new reforms

and the declaration of rights.• Oct. 1789

– thousands of women demanded bread– marched on the kings palace at Versailles

• The king agreed to move to Paris at the demands of French women.

Call For Revolt (cont)• Violence also erupted in the

countryside after the fall of the Bastille

• Peasants rebelled against feudal lords.

• This was called the Great Fear

The Declaration of Rights• Influenced by Locke, Montesquieu, and

Rousseau• All people are equal before the law• It guaranteed freedom of speech, press,

and religion• It did not grant equal rights to women

The Constitution of 1791• Kept the monarchy • Limited royal powers.• Unicameral house

–its members were chosen by voters.• The right to vote was limited to males

who paid a minimum tax.• Some the reforms went too far

–for others not far enough.

Decline of the Monarchy• Constitutional Government limited the

kings power• The king was caught fleeing France

during the “Great Fear”• France fell into a war, social upheaval

was the result

The French Republic

• France was now a republic instead of a Monarchy.

• Political power in a legislature based on universal male suffrage.

• This begins a new era of freedom

Death of A King• December 1792

–Louis XVI was tried and convicted of conspiring against the liberty of a nation.

• In January 1793, Louis XVI was beheaded by the guillotine.

Louis XVI

Spreading the Revolution• European Monarchs feared the French

Revolution.• It influenced many monarchs to make

changes.• France’s leaders were determined to

overthrow royalty everywhere.

Spreading the Revolution (cont)

• To spread revolution, the National Convention adopted conscription.

• Jacobins and Girondists began to fight in the National Convention.

• Jacobins took over the Convention and accused Girondists of being royalists.

The Reign of Terror• The Jacobins set out to crush all opposition

within France.• The Committee of Public Safety

–under Maximilian Robespierre• Neighborhood watch committees

–hunted down suspected traitors

The Reign of Terror (cont)• Marie-Antoinette

–Louis XVI’s wife was taken to the guillotine

• Innocent people were put to death• Robespierre was killed

–others feared he would have them killed

Robespierre

The Directory• After Robespierre’s death

–a new constitution was written.–Brought control of the government under

the middle class.• Directors

–Executive committee of five men–Ruled with two-house legislature

Review

1. Who was Robespierre?

2. What was the Reign of Terror?

3. What was the Committee of Public Safety?