The French Revolution: From Moderate to Radical

Convening the Estates General May, 1789

The suggested voting pattern: voting by estates Clergy 1st Estate 1 Nobles 2nd Estate 1 1 Commoners 3rd Estate Louis XIV insisted that the ancient distinction of the three orders be conserved in its entirety.

The number of representatives in the Estates General: vote by head! Clergy 1st Estate 300 Aristocracy 2nd Estate 300 648 Commoners 3rd Estate

II. Tennis Court Oath Group vowed not to leave Versailles until they had created a constitution for France Louis XVI made the 1st and 2nd Estates join the 3rd in the National Assembly

“The Tennis Court Oath” June 20, 1789

III. The Bastille Prison in Paris Torture Symbolized France’s injustices July 14, 1789 – a mob surrounds the Bastille to steal weapons they think they need to protect the National Assembly from the King’s troops

Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789 18 died. 73 wounded. 7 guards killed. 7 prisoners were freed [5 ordinary criminals & 2 madmen].

Phase 2 of the Revolution Begins The French Republic is Born! The old government system in France had been abolished. No more estates. All Frenchmen were, at least in principle, subject to the same laws and the same taxes and eligible for the same offices. Equality & Meritocracy!

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen August 26, 1789 Stated that French Citizens should the right to Liberty, Property, and Oppression (unfair treatment).

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

V. March to Versailles King refused the new reforms Paris mob forces him to go to Paris – radical mob gaining control

National Assembly The Convention

Maximilien Robespierre Jacobin Becomes the leader of the convention, and new face of the revolution.

Louis XVI “Accepts” the Constitution & the National Assembly. 1791

VI. Constitution of 1791 Kept monarchy, but limited royal powers Right to vote limited to males who paid a certain amount of taxes What about Women? -Olympe de Gouge- Vindication for the Rights of Women

VII. Problems with the Constitution Moderates = happy Paris mob = unhappy Conservatives = unhappy Divisions between groups were getting deeper . . .

The Royal Family Attempts to Flee June, 1791 The King was recognized at Varennes, near the border

VIII. France Invaded Outside powers want to weaken France & restore monarchy. King suspected of plots. King is guillotined Radicals take control of Paris &, by extension, the gov’t