Revolution Begins and the Reign of Terror!

Storming the Bastille Rumors began to swirl around that King Louis was going to dismantle the National Assembly and he would send in the Foreign troops to massacre the citizens of france They began gathering their weapons and on July 14th they stormed the Paris prison Hacked prison commander and guards Became the symbol (and start) of the French Revolution

The Great Fear Wave of Senseless panic during the beginning of the Revolution (started b/c of rumors) Peasants broke into their lord’s manors to destroy contracts 1789 women rioted over the price of bread

The Assembly Reforms France In 1789 the National Assembly created the “declaration of the rights of man and citizen” This Document was influenced by our Declaration of independence. It stressed that “men are born and remain free and equal in rights” Liberty, Equality and Fraternity became the revolution’s slogan

Equality for all? The Declaration did not give rights to everyone!? Olympe de gouges wrote a version of the declaration for women It was rejected she was later seen as an enemy of the revolution and executed

The Assembly Reforms France cont. The assembly took over church lands and the priests were to be elected and paid as state officials This Action upset many peasants who were devout Catholics; many peasants opposed most of the reforms after this Louis tried to escape but was apprehended at the border In 1791 the legislative assembly was created; it had the power to create laws and declare war Government decisions were still split Emigres and sans-culottes

War and Execution Many neighboring countries were afraid of similar revolutionary outbreaks and demanded Louis be returned to the thrown- The legislative Assembly declared war in April 1792

War an execution cont. Foreign soldiers began marching to France and many believed the King and Queen would help them. The royal family was imprisoned and their supporters were killed. A new gov’t was formed (national convention) and the jacobins became the leaders of this new gov’t. They made louis a common citizen and tried him for treason, on Jan. 21, 1793 he was executed