The French Revolution -Key Concepts-

-Ideological Foundation for Political Liberalism- Revolutionary Ideas -Ideological Foundation for Political Liberalism-

Roots of Liberalism Enlightenment Foundation Locke’s Notion of the Rights of Englishmen Rousseau’s Social Contract Voltaire’s Freedom of Speech

Liberty The notion of individual human rights A new type of government in which the people are sovereign The importance of a representative assembly The importance of a written constitution

Equality Equality of rights and civil liberties Equality before the law No special privileges for the rich Equality of opportunity

British North America “All Men are Created Equal” The significance of the American Declaration of Independence The influence of the American Revolution

The Events of the French Revolution

Origins France bankrupt due to expensive wars, aiding the Americans, expenses of the court. Only solution = tax reform and a direct tax on all property

The Estates-General The Estates General had to be called by law in order to pass a new tax. An old feudal assembly that had not met since 1614 Three Estates: Clergy, Nobility, All Others Each Estate had one vote, regardless of the number of people they represented

The Third Estate Who were they? Third Estate was dominated by the middle class Revolutionary goals of the middle class

An Agenda of Classical Liberalism Estates-General became the National Assembly in June of 1789 with the power to frame a constitution --Tennis Court Oath

“Revolutionaries in the Streets” Who were they? “Sans-culottes” (without knee britches) Picked up the ideas and slogans of the Revolution from the more educated leadership of lawyers and journalists

What were the Motivations of these Revolutionaries? Poverty and Hunger Low wages and fear of unemployment Strong dislike for and distrust of the wealthy Heightened expectations and the exposure to a political perspective

A Case Study: Storming the Bastille Reasons for the attack on the Bastille Celebrations on the night of July 14th Sparks tremendous popular revolution all over France

Declaration of the Rights of Man—August 27, 1789

The Court Returns to Paris Mounting unemployment and hunger in Paris in the fall of 1789 “October Days” -- “The point is that we want bread!” Women nearly killed the Queen The Royal Family removed from Versailles to Paris

CONSTITUTION OF 1791 Created a limited monarchy with a representative body

Growing Radicalism Reasons: --Unsatisfied Expectations --Outbreak of War with Austria over returning the King to power Results: --Increasing Violence --Change in Political Leadership to Jacobins

END OF THE KING Louis XVI and his family attempted to flee France Captured and placed under arrest Louis and Marie Antoinette were executed by guillotine Constitution of 1791 was thrown out

Robespierre’s Reign of Terror The Committee of Public Safety Charged with keeping France “safe” from counter-revolutionaries until a new government could be agreed upon.

The Reign of Terror (cont) Execution of 40,000 “Enemies of the Nation” Stress on radical definition of equality Wanted a legal maximum on personal wealth End of Robespierre’s dictatorship on July 28, 1794

1794-1799 The Directory was established This form of government had a 5 man executive branch which had to agree before any actions could be taken This proved to be a disaster!