THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The Revolution Begins

The Impact of the French Revolution Lasted from 1789 to 1799 Introduced democratic ideals to France, but did not make the nation a democracy. Ended supreme rule by French kings and strengthened the Middle Class

Divisions of French Law According to French Law, society was divided into three groups called “estates”. The first estate was the clergy Second was the nobles Third consisted of everyone else – both poor workers and the middle class, largely made up of lawyers, merchants, and government officials. This estate held the majority of the populace

Fallout of the Estates The third estate deeply resented certain advantages of the first two estates, because the first two did not have to pay any taxes The majority of the tax burden fell to the peasants… Middle class also resented their status, since they were important to society but not recognized as such officially.

Governmental Structure Absolute Monarchy – the king had almost unlimited authority and governed by “Divine Right” – his power was believed to have come from God. Any checks on the king’s power were minimal at best.

Financial Crisis Seven Years’ War ( ) Revolutionary War in America ( ) By 1788, France was nearly bankrupt from financial commitments to both of these wars. The Parlement of Paris insisted the King either borrow money or raise taxes. Unwillingly, the king called a meeting of the three estates, which had last met in 1614.

The Revolution Begins The Estates General opened on May 5 th, 1789 in the palace of Versailles outside of Paris.

The Revolution Begins The first two estates wanted each estate to vote on the issue of taxation separately, and then reconvene with each estate’s vote counting equally. Third estate, whose population vastly outnumbered the first two combined, said something to the effect of “Say what now?!” They also wanted a Constitution, guaranteeing rights to all citizens.

Storming the Bastille

July 14 th, 1789 – A huge crowd of Parisians rushed the Bastille, an infamous prison known for its brutal treatment of inmates regardless of crime… At the same time, leaders in Paris formed a revolutionary city government. Massive peasant uprisings against nobles in the countryside – few nobles fled France, followed by many more over the next several years. They were called émigrés.

The story unfolds…  three hundred guards had left their posts earlier that day in fear  The Bastille was governed by a man named Marquis de Launay  The crowds shouted for him to lower the bridges. De Launay sent a note to a mob leader named Hulin, claiming that he had 20,000 pounds of gunpowder and if the besiegers did not accept his offer, he would annihilate the entire fortress, the garrison, and everyone in it! Yet, they still refused. The bridges were finally lowered on de Launay's command, and he and his soldiers were captured by the crowds and dragged through the filthy streets of Paris.

National Assembly August 1789 – Assembly adopted The Decrees of August 4 and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. Decrees abolished feudal dues and tax advantages of nobles and clergy, and regional privileges. Declaration guaranteed the same basic rights to all citizens, including “liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression” along with representative government. Seized Property of the Roman Catholic Church, using the money to settle some of France’s massive debt.

Legislative Assembly October 1 st, 1791 – New assembly consisted mainly of middle class. Governmental stability depended on cooperation between king and legislature. King wasn’t really into the whole “cooperation” thing. Public opinion became divided – Revolution’s religious policies angered many Catholics.

“Let them Eat Cake”

Fed up with the excesses and lack of sensitivity from the monarchy, people of Paris took custody of King Louis XVI and his family, ending the constitutional monarchy. French army suffered multiple military defeats, and the citizens no longer felt that their military could protect them.

National Convention – Liberty, Equality, Fraternity September 21 st, 1792 – National Convention declares France a Republic. Louis XVI placed on trial for betraying the country and found guilty of treason. A slim majority voted for the death penalty. King was executed by guillotine January 21 st, 1793.

Jacobin Government Result of a power struggle Suspended civil rights and political freedom under martial law New government was more brutal than any before it Policy of terror against rebels or royal sympathizers

Reign of Terror Hundreds of thousands of suspects filled nation’s jails Courts handed down approximately 18,000 death sentences Paris became accustomed to “the tumbrels”, two- wheeled carts carrying condemned to the guillotine Included amongst the victims was Marie Antoinette, widow of the king.

Marie Tussad Wax Figures Wax Figures of Guillotine Victims