French Revolution Timeline

Background to Revolution Social inequality & economic problems contributed to the French Revolution This struggle for rights has shaped the modern world

Background to Revolution Main idea: 1. The Third Estate, made up the majority of the French people, were heavily taxed and unhappy

Background to Revolution Long & immediate problems caused the French Revolution. Long term: French society based on inequality (like feudalism) France was divided into 3 orders (estates) First, Second and Third

Background to Revolution B. First Estate – clergy exempted from the taille C. Second Estate- nobility held leading positions, had privileges wanted to increase power

Background to Revolution D. Third Estate- commoners 98% of population divided by (occupation, edu., wealth) peasants- 75-80% total population other part of estate- artisans, shopkeepers hurt economically (rise in prices, no increase in wages)

Background to Revolution E. The bourgeoisie- other part of the Third Estate owned about 20-25% of the land merchants, teachers, other professional people unhappy w/ privileges given to nobles

Background to Revolution F. Immediate cause for French Rev. – collapse of gov’ts finances French economy suffered crises for 50 yrs bad harvest 1787 & 1788 slowdown in manufacturing- food shortages, food prices rise, unemployment 1/3 population was poor

Background to Revolution G. French gov’t continued to spend lavishly on wars and luxuries Marie Antoinette, known for extravagance King Louis XVI was forced to call a meeting Estates-General

Learning Goals: Determine the central ideas or information of a primary source (Grievances of the 3rd Estate) Be able to summarize correctly the complaints the Third Estate made to King Louis XVI before the meeting of the Estates General. What strategies can you use to translate difficult text?

Learning goals: Understand the complaints of the 3rd Estate Understand the events that led to the local revolts throughout France

Estates-General to National Assembly Main idea: By meeting as a separate assembly, the Third Estate claimed the right to have their votes count as much as those of the clergy and nobles

Estates-General to National Assembly Each order of French society had reps. @ the Estates- General. goal: to fix France’s economic situation Third Estate- constitutional gov’t, get rid of tax exemptions of clergy and nobles wanted system where each member votes- king held one vote per estate reaction: 3rd Estate called itself a National Assembly & decided to draft a constitution

Estates-General to National Assembly Locked out of meeting place moved to nearby tennis court swore to draft a constitution known as the Tennis Court Oath

Estates-General to National Assembly B. King Louis XVI threatens to use force against 3rd Estate commoners saved them w/ the storming of the Bastille king’s authority collapsed local revolutions broke out

Estates-General to National Assembly C. Peasant Rebellions part of the Great Fear panic hit France 1789 people formed militias

Learning goals: Understand how the revolts destroyed and changed the old government in France

Learning goals: Understand what caused some people to turn to radicalism in the French Revolution Understand the goals of the French Revolution Be able to identify major events over the course of the revolution

Changes in France from the Revolution Destruction of feudalism Destruction of aristocratic privileges Declaration of Rights of Man claimed freedom & equal rights for all men access to public office based on talent end of taxation exemptions freedom of speech & press all citizens have right to law making

4. Changes to the Church bishops and priests now elected by the people controlled by French gov’t Catholics become enemies of Revolution church lands taken away

5. New Constitution 1791 limited monarchy had a king & legislative assembly (w/ power to make laws)

6. Power went to the Paris Commune members – sans culottes working people & the poor merchants & artisans

After Robespierre’s death: New Constitution 1795 legislative assembly w/ 2 chambers The period of the Directory (1795-1799) gov’t corruption couldn’t solve country’s economic problems Relied on military to stay in power

1799 – sudden overthrow of the gov’t led by Napoleon Bonaparte overthrew the directory Napoleon took power

Learning goals: Identify how Napoleon rose to power in France Understand Napoleon’s domestic policies Identify how Napoleon lost power Analyze whether Napoleon kept or destroyed the ideas of the Revolution