King and Queen Controller General National Assembl y

The French Revolution Stage 3

The Execution of Louis XVI June 21, 1791 –Royal family attempted to flee France, –Was caught and returned to Paris

The Execution of Louis XVI King agreed to sign the Constitution of 1791 Then proceeded to veto key revolutionary decrees

The Execution of Louis XVI National Convention was elected in September 1792 –Very radical France also attacked by its neighbors –“a war of people against kings” against Austria and Prussia. November 1792 –royal documents found that showed the king was negotiating secretly to restore his authority and overturn the Constitution

The Execution of Louis XVI National Convention overwhelmingly voted to convict Louis XVI of treason and then voted to sentence him to death in January 1793

The Execution of Louis XVI “I die innocent of all the crimes of which I have been charged.” The Queen was executed in October 1793

Robespierre and the Reign of Terror National Convention was now at war with all major European powers Led by Maximilien Robespierre, it called for drastic measures to save France from “enemies of the nation.”

Robespierre and the Reign of Terror 1794 –Conscripted nationalist army of 1 million defeated the united European armies on all fronts –The French people were being “taught” the “virtues” of the new French Republic

Robespierre and the Reign of Terror Revolutionary courts that report only to Robespierre are set up –tried citizens for treason against the revolution –40,000 French are killed in 2 years When Robespierre begins to execute some of those close to him, they in turn have him beheaded.

Napoleon Bonaparte After multiple governments, including the disastrous Directory, Napoleon Bonaparte took control in a coup in 1799.

Napoleon Bonaparte He turned France into a centrally controlled police state –freedom of speech and press were restricted –Abolished feudal privileges –Established Napoleonic Code – a code of laws still in use in part in Europe today –Centralized education

Napoleon Bonaparte Napoleon’s armies took most of continental Europe until losing in Russia in 1812 After a brief exile on the island of Elba, Napoleon returned and was finally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo He abdicated in 1814 and died in exile in Helena

King Louis XVI recognizes the National Assembly The Controller-General describes the financial crisis - The C-G reads role card Have the National-Assembly come up with proposals to solve the financial crisis - remind students that taxing the Third Estate was a significant problem (The proposals themselves are not that important [historically inaccurate]) They should select a spokes persons to come before the king with the proposals. The spokes person should come and kneel before the king to present the proposal The king will veto all proposals. Robespierre announce a revolutionary plan. Robespierre reads the secret documents handed to him by teacher Vote for trial Trial of the King Robespierre asks for those who would defend the king, noting who ever does so. Anyone who wishes to defend the king should stand and plead their case Vote on whether or not to convict the king. Guillotine him and escort him to the cemetery Robespierre leads the radical republic Students are asked to come up with a plan to make France a Republic of Virtue. The plan itself is not important; this is time for Rob. to execute people Robespierre begins executing people. They should be promptly escorted to the cemetery and asked to sit on the ground quietly. Reign of Terror Ends Tell students that Rob. has lead for 2 years and in that time many people have been executed, sometimes merely for the crime of owning a book with the King’s seal on it. Ask students if they wish to try Rob. for treason. Students should vote to execute Robespierre