Warm-UpWhat is something that would inspire you
to start a revolution??
Response must be in a complete sentence:“_______ would inspire me to start a revolution
because_______”
The French Revolution
The Old RegimeDuring the 1700’s France had three main issues:InsolvencyInjusticeInequality
InsolvencyFrance could not pay for it’s MANY wars. As a result, the country was bankrupt.
InjusticeThe law did not apply to everyone. Anyone could be imprisoned, with are without a trial.
InequalityThere were three Estates (classes): First Estate: Clergy Second Estate: Nobles Third Estate: Everyone Else
1st Estate2nd Estate
3rd Estate
Paid almost NO taxes
Paid the most taxes
Think Fast! Why are the members of the 3rd Estate angry?
What do they want?
60 sec!
Beginning of the Revolution 1789 - meeting of the Estates General legislative body
of France (Loius VXI needed MONEY) Members of the 3rd Estate are angry The members of the 3rd Estate demanded more power
and formed the National Assembly June 17, 1789- delegates of 3rd estate vote to establish
National Assembly- this is the first act of the revolution
The Storming of the Bastille Louis XVI tries to make peace with the 3rd estate by ordering the
other 2 estates to join them in the National Assembly rumors began of foreign troops coming to kill French citizens
July 14, 1789 - a mob overtakes the Bastille - a French prison- to get gunpowder
The Bastille falls to the control of the citizens and the revolution has begun
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fNfE9szC3Q
Reforms of the Assembly August 27th, 1789- the Assembly adopts the
Declaration on the Rights of Man and Citizen
The Assembly also looks at the relationship between the Church and the government Church land is taken by the state and priests/clergy must be
elected by the people
Changes made by the Assembly
A limited constitutional monarchy is created stripping the king of most of his power
September, 1791, the National Assembly finishes a constitution and gives power to the new Legislative Assembly
The National Convention Sept. 1792 – (a newer more radical gov’t) the National
Convention abolishes the monarchy and declares France a republic
All male citizens are given the right to vote and hold office
Death of Louis XVI 1793 - Louis XVI is tried and
convicted of treason He is sentenced to death at
the guillotine
Think Fast!
What Enlightenment philosopher would side with the 3rd Estate? Why?
Hint: He said that people have the right to overthrow a bad government!
120 sec!
EXIT TICKET1) What Enlightenment ideas do you see in the
French Revolution
2) How did the ideas of Enlightenment philosophers affect the French Revolution?”
3) Which philosopher most influenced the French Revolution? Why?
Struggle for Power Because of threats from foreign
armies and domestic mobs there is a struggle for power
Maximillien Robespierre gains power- establishes the republic of virtue
Robespierre as leader Robespierre wipes out all traces of the monarchy and
religion For example, Sunday was removed from the calendar
because it was religious, and religion was now thought to be old fashioned
All churches closed Begins the…
Reign of Terror Summer 1793- Robespierre becomes the leader of the
Committee of Public Safety The committee would decide who was an enemy of the state Enemies were put to death People could be tried for “their conduct, their relations, their
remarks or their writings” (little evidence) View clip from A Tale of Two Cities
Dictator Robespierre becomes dictator and his rule becomes
known as the Reign of Terror
Victims of the Terror 20-40 thousand killed Most were commoners The most famous was Marie
Antoinette - widow of the king Even those who helped
establish the revolution were put to death for not being “radical enough”
End of the Reign of Terror By July 1794 - no one was safe from Robespierre The National Convention turns on Robespierre and he is
sentenced to death (beheading) - July 28, 1794
Ouch!
New Government 1795 - a new government is formed A two house legislative body and a five man executive
called The Directory Napoleon Bonaparte is put in charge of France’s
armies
Meanwhile in Santo Domingo….
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