The French Revolution From Estates to a Constitution

The French Urban Poor

Weak Monarchy Louie XVI –Father was a weak ruler, had not known a strong monarch –Not interested in politics –Incapable of decisive action –Ignored economic problems –Strongly influenced by wife Marie Antoniette (Austrian) Louie XVI –Father was a weak ruler, had not known a strong monarch –Not interested in politics –Incapable of decisive action –Ignored economic problems –Strongly influenced by wife Marie Antoniette (Austrian) Marie Antoinette & Louis XVI

Marie Antoinette’s “Peasant Cottage”

Convening the Estates General May, 1789 Last time it was called into session was 1614! (175 years before!) Why now? - Louis XIV had left France in deep debt. Under Louis XV, the government had borrowed just to pay their debt. - Poor Harvests led to bread shortages and riots - 1st and 2 nd estates DEMANDED it before they would accept changes to France.

Commoners 3rd Estate Aristocracy 2nd Estate Clergy 1st Estate The Suggested Voting Pattern: Voting by Estates Louis XIV insisted that the ancient distinction of the three orders (estates) be conserved in its entirety.

Commoners 3rd Estate Aristocracy 2nd Estate Clergy 1st Estate The Number of Representatives in the Estates General: Vote by Head!

“The Third Estate Awakens” The members of the Third Estate call themselves the “representatives of the nation.”The members of the Third Estate call themselves the “representatives of the nation.” Each estate was asked to prepare cahiers, a notebook listing the issues they want addressed.Each estate was asked to prepare cahiers, a notebook listing the issues they want addressed. They proclaimed themselves the “National Assembly” of France. They are all middle class men who own property.They proclaimed themselves the “National Assembly” of France. They are all middle class men who own property. They invite any member of the other estates to join them in creating a new constitution for France.They invite any member of the other estates to join them in creating a new constitution for France. When they find their meeting hall locked, they move to a nearby tennis court.When they find their meeting hall locked, they move to a nearby tennis court.

“The Tennis Court Oath” by Jacques Louis David June 20, 1789 The Third Estate representatives swore “never to separate” until they had created a just constitution. Some clergy and nobles DID join the National Assembly, which forced the king to accept it, for now. Rumors, however, began to fly around that the king intended to use troops to shut down the National Assembly.

Europe on the Eve of the French Revolution

Storming the Bastille, July 14, 1789 A rumor that the king was planning a military coup against the National Assembly.A rumor that the king was planning a military coup against the National Assembly. 18 died.18 died. 73 wounded.73 wounded. 7 guards killed.7 guards killed. It held 7 prisoners [5 ordinary criminals & 2 madmen].It held 7 prisoners [5 ordinary criminals & 2 madmen].

The Great Fear: Peasant Revolt (July 20, 1789) Rumors that the nobles were sending hired brigands to attack peasants and pillage their land sparked a serious of riots by peasants all over France.Rumors that the nobles were sending hired brigands to attack peasants and pillage their land sparked a serious of riots by peasants all over France.

The Path of the “Great Fear”

Reforms or Revolution? The National Assembly did pass some reforms The National Assembly did pass some reforms The feudal system of privileges was abolished. The feudal system of privileges was abolished. All people were technically equal before the law. All people were technically equal before the law. But the nobility didn’t give up anything it didn’t already lose. But the nobility didn’t give up anything it didn’t already lose. MODERATE REFORM

National Constituent Assembly August Decrees August 4-11, 1789 (A renunciation of aristocratic privileges!) Liberté! Egalité! Fraternité!

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

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen August 26, 1789 Liberty!Liberty! Property!Property! Resistance to oppression!Resistance to oppression! Thomas Jefferson was in Paris at this time.Thomas Jefferson was in Paris at this time.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen Posed New Dilemmas 1.Did women have equal rights with men? 2.What about free blacks in the colonies? 3.How could slavery be justified if all men were born free? 4.Did religious toleration of Protestants and Jews include equal political rights?

The Royal Family Attempts to Flee June, 1791 June, 1791 Helped by the Swedish Count Hans Axel von Fusen [Marie Antoinette’s lover]. Helped by the Swedish Count Hans Axel von Fusen [Marie Antoinette’s lover]. Headed toward the Luxembourg border. Headed toward the Luxembourg border. The King was recognized at Varennes, near the border The King was recognized at Varennes, near the border

Olympe de Gouges ( ) Declaration of the Rights of Woman and of the Citizen (1791) Women played a vital role in the Revolution.Women played a vital role in the Revolution. But, The Declaration of the Rights of Man did NOT extend the rights and protections of citizenship to women.But, The Declaration of the Rights of Man did NOT extend the rights and protections of citizenship to women.