By: Susan M. Pojer and Elizabeth Atchison The French Revolution 1789-1791 By: Susan M. Pojer and Elizabeth Atchison
Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI The French Monarchy: 1775 - 1793 Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI
Marie Antoinette and the Royal Children
Let Them Eat Cake! Marie Antoinette NEVER said that, but it was somewhat her attitude “Madame Deficit” “The Austrian Whore”
Problems leading to the Revolution #1- MONEY
Socio-Economic Data, 1789
The French Urban Poor
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?
Which estates are represented?
Problems leading to the Revolution #2- Voting
The Suggested Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates Clergy 1st Estate 1 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 1 1 Commoners 3rd Estate
The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head! Clergy 1st Estate 300 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 300 648 Commoners 3rd Estate
Convening the Estates General May, 1789 Last time it was called into session was 1614!
“The Third Estate Awakens”
Problems leading to the Revolution # 3- The quest for equality
The National Assembly and the Tennis Court Oath The 3rd Estate renamed itself and decided to pass laws for the people (ignoring the 1st and 2nd Estate) Tennis Court Oath The National Assembly was locked out of their meeting room (a tennis court). They broke down the door and vowed to stay until they had a new constitution for the people.
“The Tennis Court Oath” by Jacques Louis David June 20, 1789
Problems leading to the Revolution #4- Absolute power for the King
Lettres de Cachet The French king could warrant imprisonment or death in a signed letter under his seal. A carte-blanche warrant. Cardinal Fleury issued 80,000 during the reign of Louis XV! Eliminated in 1790.
The People Take Action July 14 The Storming of the Bastille- Rumors started that the King was trying to get rid of the National Assembly People gathered weapons to defend themselves Charged into the Bastille, a prison Killed guards and released political prisoners This event is remembered like our July 4th
Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789
The Great Fear: Peasant Revolt July 20, 1789 As the poor around France heard about the turmoil in Paris, attacks started in other areas against the rich Louis 16th was called for by the people to leave Versailles and come to Paris DOOM!
March of the Women, October 5-6, 1789 Anger over BREAD We want the baker, the baker’s wife and the baker’s boy!
Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité! National Constituent Assembly 1789 - 1791 Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité! August Decrees August 4-11, 1789 The Battle Cry of the Poor 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
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen August 26, 1789
Planting the Tree of Liberty 1790
The Confiscation of Church Lands Church lands were taken and sold to pay off French debts 1790
Assignats New Money Issued by the National Constituent Assembly.
Louis XVI and His Family Try to Escape When Louis was called for to Paris, he was advised his family was in danger They tried to make a run for it to the Netherlands They are captured and brought to France, and now are HATED even more!
Louis XVI “Accepts” the Constitution & the National Assembly. 1791 He is forced to accept the new rules to how he will govern Many of his rights are taken away Much money and power is taken away This is the beginning of the end for Louis
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 actions. A permanent, elected, single chamber National Assembly. * had the power to grant taxation. AND Represented more of the people!