French Revolution

Entry Task Today is December 9, 1787 and you live in France on the eve of the revolution and you are part of the Third Estate. Write an account of your daily life based on what you currently know about your role in French society. Make specific reference to the Financial Crisis and how it has or has not impacted your life.

Louis XVI

Marie Antoinette Married Louis XVI when she was 14 She was a member of the royal family of Austria, France’s enemy. Became known as Madame Deficit because of her spending habits

Estates-General Louis XVI’s government was bankrupt because he failed to do anything. When he tried to raise taxes, the second estate called a meeting of the estates- general. The first in 175 years. The estates-general includes representatives from all three estates Each Estate got one vote (this meant the Third Estate was always out-voted 2-1)

The national assembly Members of the Third Estate believed each delegate should have a vote. This would give the third estate an advantage. The third estate voted to establish the national assembly, ending the absolute monarchy and the beginning of a representative government (democracy).

Tennis Court Oath After the third estate created the National Assembly they were locked out of the meeting with the estates-general. They broke down the door of a tennis court and drew up a new constitution there.

Storming the Bastille Louis XVI tried to make piece with the third estate and yield to the National Assembly’s demands. Rumors flew that foreign troops were coming to massacre French citizens The people stormed the Bastille in order to get gunpowder Became a symbol of the French revolution.

Louis XVI’s last words I die innocent of all crimes with which I am charged. I forgive those that are guilty of my death, and I pray God that the blood you are about to shed will never be required of France. (The kings last words were drowned out by the drummers.)

Account of Louis XVI’s death Accounts of Louis’s beheading indicate that the blade did not sever his neck entirely the first time. There are also accounts of a blood-curdling scream issuing from Louis after the blade fell but this is unlikely as the blade severed Louis’s spine. It is agreed however that, as Louis's blood dripped to the ground, many in the crowd ran forward to dip their handkerchiefs in it.

A Radical Path In 1789 Robespierre won election to the estates-general and became a member of the radical Jacobins. As leader of the Jacobins he demanded the execution of King Louis XVI. After the execution of the King Robespierre forced his radical beliefs on the French population, even if he had to kill opponents to do so.

The Soul of Terror On July 27, 1793 Robespierre was elected to the committee of Public Safety. The committee got rid of all governments but its own. As leader of the committee of public safety Robespierre’s job was to get rid of any opponents to the Jacobins’ radical revolutionary views Nobles and clergy were sacrificed to ensure France and the ideals of equality for all men could be achieved