THE FRENCH THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONREVOLUTION

HOPE FEAR TERROR HOPE FEAR TERROR RECOVERYRECOVERY

“ “ Viva La Revolution “Viva La Revolution “

The most significant Revolution in history The most significant Revolution in history over the last 300 years was the French over the last 300 years was the French Revolution of 1789-1800.Revolution of 1789-1800.

The events resulted in widespread social The events resulted in widespread social and political changeand political change

The peoples fight for Liberty, Equality and The peoples fight for Liberty, Equality and Fraternity came at a great costFraternity came at a great cost

In the period known as The ‘Terror’, some In the period known as The ‘Terror’, some 2,600 people and over 14,000 in all of 2,600 people and over 14,000 in all of France were executedFrance were executed

HOPEHOPE1788-17891788-1789

Liberty Equality FraternityLiberty Equality Fraternity

The The Age of EnlightenmentAge of Enlightenment refers to the refers to the 18th century18th century in in European philosophyEuropean philosophy, and is often thought of as part of a larger period which , and is often thought of as part of a larger period which

includes the includes the Age of ReasonAge of Reason. The term also more specifically refers to a . The term also more specifically refers to a historical intellectual movement, "The Enlightenment." This movement historical intellectual movement, "The Enlightenment." This movement

advocated advocated rationalityrationality as a means to establish an authoritative system of as a means to establish an authoritative system of ethicsethics

, , aestheticsaesthetics, and , and knowledgeknowledge

The EnlightenmentPeriod of time when world’s greatest thinkers/“philosophers” were

sharing ideas and changing the way ordinary people viewed world.

Examples: CHURCH NOBILITY • Should church be rich? -Share power/privilege! •Must do everything priest says? -Abuse of position

GOVERNMENT •Should kings have complete control? •Are kings directly associated with God?

As these new thoughts and teachings spread, the poor peasant class realize that perhaps it’s time for a change...

Example of a quote by one of these famous enlightened philosophers, Voltaire:

“The art of government consists of taking as much money as possible from one class of citizens to give to another.”

Historians ViewHistorians View

““18th century philosophy taught the 18th century philosophy taught the Frenchman to find his condition wretched, Frenchman to find his condition wretched, unjust and illogical and made him unjust and illogical and made him disinclined to the patient resignation to his disinclined to the patient resignation to his troubles that had long characterized his troubles that had long characterized his ancestors . . . . The propaganda of the ancestors . . . . The propaganda of the philosophes perhaps more than any other philosophes perhaps more than any other factor accounted for the fulfillment of the factor accounted for the fulfillment of the preliminary condition of the French preliminary condition of the French Revolution, namely discontent with the Revolution, namely discontent with the existing state of things. “existing state of things. “

PROBLEMS- Fiscal and PROBLEMS- Fiscal and femalefemale

FranceFrance Considered to be the most advanced country in Considered to be the most advanced country in

Europe at the time (early 1700’s)Europe at the time (early 1700’s) Problems emerging… Problems emerging… High taxes, high inflation, low interest shown by High taxes, high inflation, low interest shown by

king...king... Aided by the legacy of Louis X1V & Louis xv the Aided by the legacy of Louis X1V & Louis xv the

french monarchy had been successful in running french monarchy had been successful in running deficit budgets constantly. Louis XV1 did not want deficit budgets constantly. Louis XV1 did not want to ruffles the frills of the nobility. He therefore to ruffles the frills of the nobility. He therefore borrowed the difference in expenditure. These saw borrowed the difference in expenditure. These saw the cycle of loans develop.When Turgot tried to the cycle of loans develop.When Turgot tried to stop this he was overthrown by Marie Antoinette’s stop this he was overthrown by Marie Antoinette’s hatred of him. The more complacent Necker was hatred of him. The more complacent Necker was appointed as Minister of Finances.appointed as Minister of Finances.

AN UNPOPULAR AN UNPOPULAR MONARCHY-MONARCHY- LOUIS XVI AND LOUIS XVI AND

MARIE ANTOINETTEMARIE ANTOINETTE

Queen Marie-Antoinette

http://www.ralphmag.org/CG/french-revolution.html

http://www.myrrhine.net/antoinette/

•Austrian by birth, married to King Louis XVI @ 14 •Became very unpopular very quickly •Spoke French with strong accent, always considered a “foreigner” •Enjoyed high class jewelry, parties, clothes, etc. •Accused of purchasing $1,600,000 diamond necklace •Nickname “Madame “Deficit” “Austrian Dog” •Many French citizens blamed her for country’s problems • • •

King Louis XVI (16th)• Weak Ruler • Poor Decision Maker • Had no true idea of how “normal” people lived. • At age of 15 was married to 14 year old girl from Austria to improve relations between the 2 countries. Had no idea how poor his government/country was becoming (past wars & USA indpce help = $4Billion debt!) • Most people liked him, but not his government.

Louis should have been able to force tax reform on the nobility but he lacked the ability to take strong decisive action

THE THREE ESTATESTHE THREE ESTATES

King Louis XVI (16th)

(Absolute Monarch - Right to rule by God

The 3 Estates

CLERGY (0.004%)

•Very wealthy.

•Paid no taxes.

•Owned land

•Charged “tithes”

NOBILITY (0.02 %)

•Owned land

•Very wealthy

•Paid no taxes

PEASANTS (98%)

•Few owned land

•Paid a LOT of taxes. (1/2 $)

•Most extremely poor.

•Not allowed to hunt

•FRUSTRATED!

Add the numbers. 1 Extremely wealthy king with great power

1 Group of rich clergy members

1 Group of rich nobles, doing as they wish

1 Huge group of poor, frustrated, starving peasants/workers

1 REVOLUTION WAITING TO HAPPEN :-(

+

Estates Determine rights, obligations, status. Difficult to move up

FEARFEAR1789-17911789-1791

What is the Third Estate?What is the Third Estate?“The Third Estate is “The Third Estate is

everything”- Abby Sieyeseverything”- Abby Sieyes

CLERGY NOBILITY PEASANTS

MEETING OF THE ESTATES GENERAL

King - Hopes they meet & agree on a few small tax changes

Clergy - Divided - Upper agree with nobility Lower believe peasants need help

Nobility - Divided - Upper want more power from king Lower want changes to allow for mobility.

Peasants - United - Major changes necessary!!

Traditionally 3 estates divided 2 vs 1 = Peasants always lose:-(This time 3 estates divided 3 vs 2 = Peasants win:-)...1st time ever!

THE TENNIS COURT OATHTHE TENNIS COURT OATH

STORMING OF THE BASTILLESTORMING OF THE BASTILLE

Aftermath Peasants rise in arms around country, refuse to pay taxes until Nat’l Assembly makes changes and prepare to fight in case nobility tries to resist. Nobles in fear for their lives. Surely this will just pass? Meanwhile, France’s economy continues to slide as world watches to see what’ll happen.

National Assembly make decisions… • Abolish church tithes • Abolish noble priviliges • DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN AND CITIZENS

(= Everyone free and equal!!) • CONSTITUTIONAL MONARCHY agreed upon (not easy)

(Possibilities were numerous…) King veto power? Nobility power? Size of assembly?

No king? (Republic) No Nobles? Taxation/Debt? King

National Assembly

$

THE RIGHTS OF MANTHE RIGHTS OF MAN

Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of ManMan

Men are born and remain free and Men are born and remain free and Equal in RightsEqual in Rights

These rights are liberty, property, These rights are liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.security and resistance to oppression.

Law is the expression of the general Law is the expression of the general willwill

The free communication of ideas and The free communication of ideas and opinions is a basic rightopinions is a basic right

TERRORTERROR1791-17941791-1794

A PERSPECTIVE ON TERRORA PERSPECTIVE ON TERROR

REACTIONS

•Nobles leave the country (Emigres) Hoping to restore power from abroad •Church forced to give up property, $, land AND swear oath of loyalty to Assembly priests & pope are furious! •Peasants divided…Keep king? Kill king? Share power? Now what? •King tries to sneak out of France with family. Caught at border Peasants furious, but keep him as “symbol” •Foreign Rulers sympathetic & concerned. (who’s next?)

and…...

See the difference?

LOSING HEADSLOSING HEADS

Facts and Figures

Total weight of a Guillotine was about 580 kilos (1278lb)

The blade weighed over 40 kilos (88.2lb)

Height of side posts was just over 4m (14ft)

The blade drop was 2.3m (88 inches)

It fell at 7m a second (21ft) and took 1/70 of a second

It took 2/100 of a second for the head to be cut off

Power at impact was 400 kilos (888lb) per square inch.

So many killings that one doctor invents a new device to minimize pain & suffering. His name was

Dr Joseph ……...Guillotine.

The Guillotine

TRIAL/ DEATH OF LOUIS XVITRIAL/ DEATH OF LOUIS XVI

EXECUTION OF MARIE EXECUTION OF MARIE ANTOINETTEANTOINETTE

France is weak. France is vulnerable. France is “easy pickings” Austria (Mar.Antoin brother)Declares war on France Prussia declares war on France Warn… “Don’t hurt king!” King & Nobles are happy war is coming. (France loss = return of king & old system) Assembly responds:

•“Butt out!” •“Our Rules!” •“Our Country!” •“Can’t tell US what to do!” •= NATIONALISM

External Wars

England,PrussiaAustria

External Wars

England,PrussiaAustria

Failure ofConstitutional

Monarchy

Failure ofConstitutional

Monarchy

EconomyNew noteAssignats lost value

EconomyNew noteAssignats lost value

CounterRevolution

CounterRevolution

Internal FactionsJacobins

GirondinsSans Cullottes

Internal FactionsJacobins

GirondinsSans Cullottes

EmigresEmigres

InfluenceOf

Individuals& groups

InfluenceOf

Individuals& groups

FactorsInfluencing the Reign

OfTerror

FactorsInfluencing the Reign

OfTerror

Depreciation of the AssignatDepreciation of the Assignat

f They were backed by the sale of They were backed by the sale of Church lands.Church lands.

The National ConventionThe National Convention The The National ConventionNational Convention superseded the Legislative Assembly as France's primary superseded the Legislative Assembly as France's primary

constitutional and legislative body, and was also the first assembly to elect its members using constitutional and legislative body, and was also the first assembly to elect its members using universal suffrage (votes for universal suffrage (votes for allall men without distinctions of income or class ... though not for men without distinctions of income or class ... though not for all women). Best known as the body which through its powerful sub-committees (the all women). Best known as the body which through its powerful sub-committees (the Committee for Public Safety and the Committee for General Security) implemented the Committee for Public Safety and the Committee for General Security) implemented the arbitrary violence of the Terror, it should also be remembered that the Convention also arbitrary violence of the Terror, it should also be remembered that the Convention also protected France against invasion, civil war, economic collapse and anarchy. Some of its more protected France against invasion, civil war, economic collapse and anarchy. Some of its more notable achievements included the abolition of monarchy and the establishment of a republic notable achievements included the abolition of monarchy and the establishment of a republic (on its second day of sitting) and the creation of a system of public education.(on its second day of sitting) and the creation of a system of public education.

. For most historians,, the Terror began with the centralization of power in the Committee of . For most historians,, the Terror began with the centralization of power in the Committee of Public Safety (CPS), a body initially started in April 1793 as an oversight committee for Public Safety (CPS), a body initially started in April 1793 as an oversight committee for keeping an eye on the revolution's enemies ... however its influence quickly grew, mainly keeping an eye on the revolution's enemies ... however its influence quickly grew, mainly because of who came to be because of who came to be in in the CPS, rather than the committee itself. The members of the the CPS, rather than the committee itself. The members of the CPS were initially moderates, members of the Plain, but by July the members included CPS were initially moderates, members of the Plain, but by July the members included Robespierre and the radical Saint-Just. Robespierre, never that popular in the Convention Robespierre and the radical Saint-Just. Robespierre, never that popular in the Convention itself, found the CPS an ideal way to shape the revolution according to his own "incorruptible" itself, found the CPS an ideal way to shape the revolution according to his own "incorruptible" virtues.virtues.

Of all the legislation activated by the Convention ,the Levee en Masse, proved the most Of all the legislation activated by the Convention ,the Levee en Masse, proved the most damaging for the survival and stability of the governmentdamaging for the survival and stability of the government

The Civil The Civil Constitution Constitution

of the of the ClergyClergy

July 12,July 12,17901790

Analyses of counter revolution:Analyses of counter revolution:war radicalizes revolution and creates self-sustaining war radicalizes revolution and creates self-sustaining

pressurespressures

CentralizedPower

InParis

CentralizedPower

InParis

Assistance from

Emigres

Assistance from

Emigres

Sympathy For

Royal family

Sympathy For

Royal family

Levee enMasse300,00

conscripted

Levee enMasse300,00

conscripted

EconomyAssignats Lose value

EconomyAssignats Lose value

Civil Constitution

Of Clergy

Faith Vsrevolution

Civil Constitution

Of Clergy

Faith Vsrevolution

Region;Catholic

& agricultural

Region;Catholic

& agricultural

VendeeRevolt

VendeeRevolt

"Not one is to be left alive." "Women are reproductive furrows who must be ploughed under." "Only wolves must be left to roam that land." "Fire, blood, death are needed to preserve liberty." "Their instruments of fanaticism and superstition must be smashed." These were some of the words the Convention used in speaking of

Vendee

The Vendee: civil war or genocide?

The Legacy The Vendean rebellion was a climax in the history of the French Revolution. Because of the obstinate, determined resistance of the Vendeans the Jacobins escalated their policy of terror, not only sentencing individuals regarded enemies of the people, but pursuing a policy of genocide. This escalation of violence brought the downfall of Robespierre, the Jacobins, the Convention. Many reforms the Vendeans had revolted against were still in force; but the fight had been extremely costly in human lives (over 200,000 dead). The CONCORDATE Napoleon signed with the pope in 1801

restored the Catholic church in France

“Sans Culottes” (Extremist Group) •Attack royal palace, kill royal gurads •Drag king & family to jail •Too many wealthy in the National Assembly, so •Assembly dissolved and new ruling Executive Council •Force gov’t to allow ALL men to vote

Violence increases throughout city streets. Paris “mob” break into jails and murder 1200 + without trials. Leading military leader, General Lafayette leaves country and joins Austrians! France gov’t now divided between

Parties J acobins GirondinsLeaders Robespierre Brissot

Ideas Radical ModerateMonarchy? No! No!

King? Kill Don’t killResult? Jacobins take over…radical rule…

DANTON VS ROBESPIERREDANTON VS ROBESPIERRE

Jacobins + Robespierre = “Reign of Terror”

Jacobins now in charge.

“Radical Robispierre” creates “Committee of Public Safety” One of his quotes: "It is with regret that I pronounce the fatal truth: Louis ought to perish rather than a hundred thousand virtuous citizens; Louis must die that the country may live"

Thus, he starts his safety committee by killing any suspected enemies…including King Louis and his wife! France is no longer a “Constitutional Monarchy” It is now a REPUBLIC! Eventually kills 40,000 people to “maintain order” Quote: “Omelettes are not made without breaking eggs” France still being attacked by other countries, so starts conscription of 1,000,000

EXECUTION OF EXECUTION OF ROBESPIERREROBESPIERRE

NAPOLEON- SAVIOUR OF NAPOLEON- SAVIOUR OF FRANCEFRANCE ? ?

Eventually Robespierre removed from power. He was sentenced to death….by??? Yep. Guillotine:-) A new committee of 5 take over. Call themselves “The Directory”

The Directory •Pass many useful laws in education and justice, but •cannot control inflation. •Rely heavily on army to crush resistance from abroad and within. •Famous young general given control of army….

Napolean Bonaparte. •Encouraged to attack countries that had threatened France •Very successful. Seen as hero by French people. •Directory depend (too much) upon Napolean.. •Finally he takes over as “1st Consul of the Republic” •New constitution created basically giving him extreme powers •Plebiscite vote: 3,011,007 for, 1562 against…close call??!! •Napolean makes changes… •“Consul for life” and then “Emperor” as he plans a new monarchy. •Declares himself as responsible only to God and nothing else… •= Napolean more powerful than King Louis had been!?? •Circle is complete…France again has an absolute monarchy.

The Directory & Napolean

5

Alas, much more lies sick than poor Louis: not the French King only, but the French Kingship; this too, after long

rough tear and wear, is breaking down. The world is all so changed; so much that seemed vigorous has sunk decrepit,

so much that was not is beginning to be! Thomas Carlyle, The French Revolution (1837)

Quotes to Contemplate..