The French Revolution

The Great Fear• From Bastille, violence spread• The Great Fear–Rumors of hit-men hired to to murder

peasants. –Untrue, the rumor flamed fear & led

peasants to rise up.–Peasants broke into houses, killed

nobles, & took their properties.

The DeclarationThe Declaration of the Rights of Men &

Citizens–This Declaration of Rights included

freedom of speech, press & religion. –It also protected citizens from false

arrest.

Constitution• By 1791, the constitution

was ready.

• Constitution of 1791–Constitutional Monarchy–Equal rights to all men, as long as

they paid a tax

Check for Understanding • Turn to your shoulder

partner and explain to them the events that lead to the creation of the Constitution

of 1791.

Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette• Mob of angry women

whose children were starving force the royal family to go to Paris.

• Held captive for 3 years.• They tried to escape, but

were caught & returned.• In 1793, placed on trial

&beheaded.

Republic• From 1792 through 1795 a National

Convention met in Paris to define the new form the French Government would take.

• French Republic–Did away with the monarchy–Established a republic. –Granted the right to vote to all men.

Maximilien Robespierre

• The radical political party- the Jacobins- were determined to crush any

resistance within their new nation.• Maximilien Robespierre–Leader of the Jacobins’ Committee of

Public Safety –Organized the Reign of Terror

Reign of Terror• Committee on Public Safety sought out anyone

who was not loyal. • These people were often put to death. • 40,000 people killed

• In reaction to the terror, a third constitution was written.

Women in the Revolution• Women of all classes participated• Excluded from Declaration of Rights of

Man• No equality, but some rights…–Divorce, Inherit Property

• Many women were victims of the Reign of Terror

Reign of Terror Writing Reign of Terror Writing • Pretend that you are a peasant living in

Paris during the Reign of Terror. Please write a letter to a friend who lives somewhere else in France explaining to them the horrors you are experiencing.

• Use page 206 of the book for more information

Check for Understanding • Turn to your shoulder

partner and explain to them how you would have felt as a women or if you were a

women about how women were treated in France.

Nationalism• After a bitter, 10-year-old revolution, France

had been dramatically changed. It was not over by 1799, but a new France emerged.• Nationalism–Strong sense of national identity–Aggressive feeling of pride in & devotion to

one’s country