Paris 1780’s

Palace of Versailles

Who was King Louis XIV (14th?) When did he reign over France? What was the Palace of Versailles? How did Louis XIV use the palace to increase his power?

Enter King Louis XVI Who was King Louis XVI? When did he reign? Who was the Queen of France (Louis XVI’s wife?) Where was she from?

Marie Antoinette, later known as “Madame Deficit” for her lavish spending. Louis XVI was the great grandson of Louis XIV. Most of that time he was an absolute monarch like his grandfather. 1774-1792 Born an Archduchess in Austria

France in 1780s In severe debt Budget was a mess 50% spent on loan interest 25% military (helping American Revolution) 6% lifestyle at Versailles So, an increase in taxes needed Who’s gonna pay? Commoners? Clergy? On top of that, recent bad crops created out of control bread prices

So, how bad was the situation in France on the poor? Let’s find out… Read your role card Peasants begin to produce food. Done? Time to pay taxes… Noble Lord goes first, collect all from peasants… 10% to Church Clergy 50% of what’s left to Controller-General 50% Noble/Lords keep for themselves - Peasants get back what’s left What do peasants end up with? A special message from the Controller-General…

So, The taxes Were not enough. France is in a Debt Crisis! What to do?

The Meeting of the Estates General

The Meeting of the Estates General To solve $ crisis, King Louis XVI called for a meeting of the “Estates General” Medieval representative group Voting based on what estate you’re in, not on population Hadn’t met since 1614 Clergy = 1st estate Less than 1% of population, not taxed Nobility = 2nd estate (Royalty, Nobles/Lords) 1-2% of population, almost not taxed Commoners = 3rd estate 95-98% of population, peasants + workers + bourgeoisie (French “middle” class; big Enlightenment thinkers) Conclusion: 1st and 2nd estates voted and agreed the 3rd estate will just have to pay more.

The Tennis Court Oath

The Tennis Court Oath 3rd Estate refuses to meet chooses new name: National Assembly June 19th, 1789 clergy joins June 20th, oath to write a new constitution King accepts with his veto power takes church land to solve crisis

Tennis Court Oath “I swear an oath to God and nation never to be separated until we have formed a solid and equitable Constitution as our constituents have asked us to.”

The Storming of the Bastille

The Storming of the Bastille In 1789, 25% people of Paris starving, unemployed Rumor of King’s troops in Paris Mob seizes arms for defense from prison July 14, 1789 invade Bastille (fort and prison) Guard fires, kills 98 Crowd takes Bastille * Symbolic beginning of revolution

The March on Versailles

The March on Versailles Conditions worsen – unemployment and hunger October 5th, 1789, 7000 women march to Versailles for bread Invade palace, kill guards King promises bread Royal family never returns to Versailles

France 1792-93 Financial crisis continues No noble privileges National Assembly makes laws Constitutional Monarchy drawn up

The Execution

The Execution June 1791, royal family caught escaping to Austria King signs a constitution, then vetoes it National Convention elected Jan. 1793 King sentenced to death King must die for new government

Reforms Declaration of Rights of Man and the Citizens Guaranteed equal justice freedom of speech and religion Influenced by the Declaration of Independence “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” State Controlled Church

Reign of Terror 1793-94

Reign of Terror Imposed by the new gov’t Revolutionary Maximillian Robespierre calls for saving France from “enemies of the nation” Attempted to erase France’s royal past Later claimed all power and briefly rules as dictator 2 years, 40,000 killed France at war w/ European kingdoms July 1794, Robespierre executed by own revolutionaries

The Coronation of Napoleon Bonaparte 5 yrs. of disastrous rule by 5 man Directory Napoleon rules as emperor/dictator for 15 yrs. Armies took Europe until Russia 1814 1799-1814 Centrally controlled police state Freedom of speech and press violated But moderate reforms kept (no priveleges, mid class advances)

Summary

Impact of French Revolution