The French Revolution Phase1: "Liberal" 1789-1791

Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities (1859) It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity… Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities (1859) What was Dickens referring to in each of these lines?

The Setup 3 Estates: First – Church Second – Nobility Third – everybody else

Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI The French Monarchy: 1775 - 1793 Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

Tensions Between and Among the Estates First Estate – Cardinals, bishops were members of aristocracy. Parish priests were like the third estate. Second estate – Nobles of the sword V Nobles of the Robe (those who shed blood V those who were King’s favorites) Third Estate – A) Bourgeoisie educated and wealthy. Followers of the enlightenment B) Sans Culottes poor artisans , traders. Poor. C) Peasants subsistence farmers taxation issues, bourgeoisie aware of enlightenment ideas, no influence despite wealth

The Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates Clergy 1st Estate 1 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 1 1 Commoners 3rd Estate

Socio-Economic Data, 1789

Financial Problems in France, 1789 Urban Commoner’s Budget: Food 80% Rent 25% Tithe 10% Taxes 35% Clothing 20% TOTAL 170% King’s Budget: Interest 50% Army 25% Versailles 25% Coronation 10% Loans 25% Admin. 25% TOTAL 160%

Where is the tax money? The tax collectors were 2nd estate and no one knew how much was being collected

July 1788 hailstorm destroys French crops What happens? (in economic terms)

Financial “solutions” Various finance ministers tried to address the debt situation. Turgot – end corvee, ease guild monopoly and cut monarchial expenditure. Necker published analysis to show how dire the situation was and proposed reforms – Parlements vetoed Calonne proposed a plan that mixed his predecessors and tried to gain Parlement support, but they refused to believe the situation was that bad!!! Brienne (member of the Parlement) realizes Calonne was right but even he cannot convince his peers

Convening the Estates General May, 1789 Last time it was called into session was 1614!

The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head! Abbe Seyes Proposal The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head! Clergy 1st Estate 300 300 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 648 Commoners 3rd Estate

“The Third Estate Awakens”

Cahiers De Doleance PERSONAL LIBERTY Art. I. In order to assure the exercise of this first and most sacred of the rights of man, we ask that no citizen may be exiled, arrested or held prisoner except in cases contemplated by the law and in accordance with a decree originating in the regular courts of justice. SPECIAL MATTERS Throughout the whole kingdom there should be but one code of laws, one system of weights and measures. That a commission be established composed of the most eminent, men of letters of the capital and provinces, and citizens of all orders, to formulate a plan of national education for the benefit of all classes of society; and for the purpose of revising elementary text-book. That all customs duties collected in the interior of the kingdom be abolished, and all custom-houses, offices and customs barriers be removed to the frontier.

“The Tennis Court Oath” by Jacques Louis David June 20, 1789

Lettres de Cachet The French king could warrant imprisonment or death in a signed letter under his seal. A carte-blanche warrant. Anyone could be arrested at anytime for anything. Cardinal Fleury issued 80,000 during the reign of Louis XV! Will be eliminated in 1790.

Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789

The Great Fear: Peasant Revolt July 20, 1789

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen August 26, 1789

Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité! National Constituent Assembly 1789 - 1791 Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité! August Decrees August 4-11, 1789 (A renunciation of aristocratic privileges!) Equality & Meritocracy

The WHITE of the Bourbons + the RED & BLUE of Paris. The Tricolor (1789) The WHITE of the Bourbons + the RED & BLUE of Paris. Citizen!

The Tricolor is the Fashion!

The “Liberty Cap”: Bonne Rouge

March of the Women, October 5-6, 1789 We want the baker, the baker’s wife and the baker’s boy!

83 Revolutionary Departments February 26, 1790

The French Constitution of 1791: A Bourgeois Government The king got the “suspensive” veto [which prevented the passage of laws for 4 years]. * he could not pass laws. * his ministers were responsible for their own actions. A permanent, elected, single chamber National Assembly. * had the power to grant taxation. An independent judiciary. “Active” Citizen [who pays taxes amounting to 3 days labor] vs. “Passive” Citizen. A newly elected LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY.

Planting the Tree of Liberty 1790

The Confiscation of Church Lands 1790

Jurying vs. Non-Jurying [refractory] Clergy The Civil Constitution of the Clergy July 12, 1790 Jurying vs. Non-Jurying [refractory] Clergy

Assignats Issued by the National Constituent Assembly.

Depreciation of the Assignat They were backed by the sale of Church lands.

“Must” Reads: Important Books & Pamphlets of the French Revolution