The French Revolution

Causes of the French Revolution “LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITY”

Long Term Causes  Heavy tax burdens on the Third Estate (E)  Inequality between the estates (S)  Enlightenment Ideas about liberty, popular sovereignty and equality (I)

Short Term Causes  Demand for political rights by the middle class (P)  Weak Monarchs ; Louis XVI (P)  Debt due to recent wars (E)  Bread Shortages (E)  Examples of the success of Enlightenment ideas in gov’t (I)

“ ” What causes a revolution? Revolution occurs when the people no longer recognize monarchy’s legitimacy (loss of loyalty and obedience.) This causes a state in which there is dual sovereignty or loyalty. Revolution will continue until one group is able to gain legitimacy.

Phases of the French Revolution i. MODERATE / IDEALISTIC ii. RADICAL iii. REACTIONARY

Phase 1: Idealistic/Moderate ( )  Estates General is called – this gives the bourgeoisie an opportunity for change  Bourgeoisie form the National Assembly and take an oath ( Tennis Court Oath ) to write a Constitution for France  The Parisian mob fears for the safety of the National Assembly and storms the Bastille – first (not only) example of the mob’s ability to shape the Revolution

Phase 1: Idealistic/Moderate ( )  Fear spreads to the countryside = Great Fear  National Assembly articulates their goals for equality and basic rights in the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen (compare to American Declaration or English Bill of Rights)  The first two estates and the monarchy agree to the demands of the National Assembly – and the Constitution of 1791 is written  Creates a moderate Limited/ Constitutional Monarchy in France

Phase 2: Radical ( )  France goes to war with the First Coalition (European monarchs horrified and fearful of course of events in France)  What changed in 1792? More radical groups took control of the National Assembly – those who rely on the support of the urban population  Sans-culottes : shopkeepers, artisans, factory workers who sought government regulation who were anti-monarchy and favored republican government  Desire universal male suffrage

Phase 2: Radical ( )  King Louis XVI tries to flee France but is caught - put on trial for treason and executed, creating a Republic  New Government is known as the National Convention

Phase 2: Radical ( )  Fear of Anti-Revolutionary forces leads to the Reign of Terror ( ), led by Maximilian Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety  People of all classes are executed  Attempt to de-Christianize France (ex: create new calendar)  Goes too far and Robespierre himself is executed  The Reign of Terror ends with the Thermadorian Reaction

Phase 3: Reactionary ( )  Desire to return stability to France, led by middle class professionals  Create a new constitution that restores voting qualifications (no more universal male suffrage)  Called the Directory – executive branch is made up of five directors  The government suffers from corruption, internal quarrels, and financial woes

Revolution Ends!! REVOLUTION ENDS IN 1799 WHEN NAPOLEON TAKES POWER IN A MILITARY COUP

Outcomes of the Revolution Political Two models of government a.representative (Const. of 1791, Directory) b.authoritarian (Napoleon) Stronger, more centralized French State Social Abolition of special privileges Creation of new civil rights, such as equality before the law Belief that revolution was a means for bringing about change Economic Established a uniform tax system Increased land ownership by wealthier peasants and bourgeoisie Ideological “liberty, equality, fraternity” Nationalism Religious Decline in religiosity and the influence of the Church