THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The causes of:

FRANCE IN THE 1700’S

Center of the Enlightenment A large population Prosperous trading nation

High Prices High Taxes Extreme poverty among the lower

classes Crop Failure, starvation

THE OLD REGIME

The 1st and 2nd Estates The Clergy

Owned 10% of the land

Provided relief services to the poor

2% of government income

The Nobility 2% of the

population Owned 20% of the

land Paid almost no

taxes Against

Enlightenment ideas

The 3rd Estate Bourgeoisie

Merchants/Artisans

Strongly believed in the Enlightenment

Paid high taxes Rich but no

privileges Workers

Low wages Often out of work Often hungry

Peasants 80% of the

population

THE THREE ESTATES

1st Estate

2nd Estate

3rd Estate

The Law

FORCES OF CHANGE

Liberty, Equality, Democracy People began to question the

structure of society The American Revolution inspired

them. Economic Woes

High Taxes Food shortages

A Weak Leader Louis was preoccupied with his

hobbies Marie Antoinette (Madame Deficit)

(“let them eat cake”) was not liked by the French people.

ADDITIONAL CAUSES Estates-General

An assembly of representatives from all three estates Had not met in over 175 years Need to approve a tax reform bill One vote per estate (clergy and nobles often sided against the 3rd

estate)

3rd Estate wanted a vote per representative The National Assembly

Abbe Sieyes – suggest the formation of a National Assembly

Would pass laws in the name of the French people. Tennis Court Oath

A pledge to create a new constitution This was the first deliberate act of revolution

(end of absolute monarchy and the start of representative government)

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The Process of :

REVOLUTION BEGINS

Storming of the Bastille July 14, 1789 Thought foreign troops were

invading France Wanted gunpowder and arms

to defend themselves

The Great Fear Revolution spreads to the

countryside. Thought nobles were hiring

outlaws Peasants attacked and burnt

manors

6000 women attacked Versailles Angered by a raise in the

price of bread

Declaration of the Rights of Man Men are born and remain

free and equal in rights. The aim of political

association is the preservation of the natural… rights of man.

Liberty Property Security Resistance to oppression Equal justice Freedom of speech Freedom of religion

Liberty, Equality, Fraternity

REVOLUTIONARY REFORMS

A State-Controlled Church Took over church lands Priests were to be elected by landowners Paid by the state

Limited Monarchy King had executive powers to enforce laws

Legislative Assembly The lawmakers May over-rule the king’s decisions. Radicals/Moderates/ Conservatives

TERROR

War with Austria Wanted to restore the monarchy Other monarchs feared it would

spread to their nations

Jacobins Jean Paul Marat/George Danton Arrested the king, queen, and other

nobles Began beheading thousands of

people Formed the Citizen’s Army

The Guillotine Method of execution for the

revolution.

MAXIMILIEN ROBESPIERRE

Revolutionary leader who many changes in France Family names, calendar, playing cards Closed churches

Became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety Over 3,000 people killed in Paris, 40,000 all together About 85% were Peasants and middle-class Tried in the morning guillotined in the afternoon George Danton a well

Robespierre was guillotined, ending the reign of terror