The French Revolution Begins Motto of the French Revolution: “United in a Republic: Liberty, Equality, Fraternity or Death”

King Louis XVI had a Problem... NO MONEY!!! NO MONEY!!! No taxes on peasants because they‘d revolt No taxes on peasants because they‘d revolt Besides, they didn’t have more money! Besides, they didn’t have more money! Called Estates General to meet Called Estates General to meet Convention of 3 estates, to advise king Convention of 3 estates, to advise king Last called in 1614 Last called in 1614 King told estates what to talk about King told estates what to talk about Majority of estates vote = binding Majority of estates vote = binding Louis XVI

Meeting of the Estates-General Since 1614, bourgeoisie had gained power, $$$ Since 1614, bourgeoisie had gained power, $$$ Instead of considering new tax demand of king, the 3 rd Estate challenged way decisions were made at meeting Instead of considering new tax demand of king, the 3 rd Estate challenged way decisions were made at meeting Wanted one big meeting, each delegate with 1 vote Wanted one big meeting, each delegate with 1 vote King rejected idea King rejected idea Third estate declared itself the National Assembly, took Tennis Court Oath Third estate declared itself the National Assembly, took Tennis Court Oath 1 st and 2 nd Estates riding On the back Of the 3 rd Estate

Storming of the Bastille, July 14, 1789 Louis XVI sent troops to disperse National Assembly Louis XVI sent troops to disperse National Assembly Parisian poor reacted by attacking Bastille prison Parisian poor reacted by attacking Bastille prison Prison a symbol of king’s authority Prison a symbol of king’s authority 7 prisoners released 7 prisoners released Nobles across the country FLED!!! Nobles across the country FLED!!!

National Assembly Reforms August 1789: NA abolished feudalism August 1789: NA abolished feudalism Published Declaration of Rights of Man Published Declaration of Rights of Man Defined rights of all estates Defined rights of all estates Transition to constitutional monarchy Transition to constitutional monarchy 1790: Confiscated church lands 1790: Confiscated church lands 1790: Introduced paper money 1790: Introduced paper money Caused high inflation Caused high inflation

Establishment of Constitutional Monarchy King Louis XVI, family attempted to escape France King Louis XVI, family attempted to escape France Captured at eastern border of France Captured at eastern border of France Returned to Paris and forced to sign a new Constitution in Sept. 1791, sharing power with Nat’l Assembly Returned to Paris and forced to sign a new Constitution in Sept. 1791, sharing power with Nat’l Assembly Louis XVI and family are returned to Paris

Wars of Revolution Jacobins (radical revolutionaries) began taking over NA Jacobins (radical revolutionaries) began taking over NA King, moderate NA declared war on Austria and Prussia King, moderate NA declared war on Austria and Prussia King figured war would make him popular, get rid of power sharing King figured war would make him popular, get rid of power sharing NA wanted to export revolution NA wanted to export revolution

End of Monarchy (and Louis XVI) French forces got beat, badly (lost parts of France!) French forces got beat, badly (lost parts of France!) August 1792: Jacobins arrest king August 1792: Jacobins arrest king Sept. 21, 1792 – monarchy abolished, republic declared Sept. 21, 1792 – monarchy abolished, republic declared Legislative power to NA Legislative power to NA Executive power to Committee of Public Safety Executive power to Committee of Public Safety January 21, 1793: King Louis XVI sentenced to death ( ) January 21, 1793: King Louis XVI sentenced to death ( ) King’s execution led to more wars with European countries, appalled at execution of King

The Revolution Goes Radical France, on the brink France, on the brink Execution of Louis XVI led to war between France and Austria, HRE, Great Britain, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, French Royalists, Italian states Execution of Louis XVI led to war between France and Austria, HRE, Great Britain, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, French Royalists, Italian states Inflation Inflation Sans culottes (poor laborers), Jacobins riot Sans culottes (poor laborers), Jacobins riot Anti-revolution movements start Anti-revolution movements start

Robespierre and the Committee of Public Safety Jacobins seize power, led by Robespierre Follower of Rousseau Bourgeoisie lawyer Head of CPS Unleashed “the Terror” About 40,000 people were executed under the guillotine for “counter-revolutionary activities” Effort by Jacobins to replace French traditions w/ revolutionary ones CPS saved revolution (levee en masse, internal repression)

Rise of the Directoire Eventually, Robespierre ordered most radical and moderate Jacobins executed (no legislative, popular support) Eventually, Robespierre ordered most radical and moderate Jacobins executed (no legislative, popular support) July 27, 1794: Robespierre arrested by moderates, tried, and executed July 28 July 27, 1794: Robespierre arrested by moderates, tried, and executed July : New constitution written (Directory – 5 person executive) 1795: New constitution written (Directory – 5 person executive)

Rise of Napoleon Army suppressed serious royalist coup attempt, 1795 Army suppressed serious royalist coup attempt, 1795 Napoleon led troops vs. royalists, in Paris Napoleon led troops vs. royalists, in Paris “Whiff of grapeshot” dispersed royalists (1400 dead) “Whiff of grapeshot” dispersed royalists (1400 dead) Napoleon promoted, hailed as hero of Rev. Napoleon promoted, hailed as hero of Rev.

Successes of the Directory 1795: French armies conquered Netherlands 1795: French armies conquered Netherlands : Napoleon conquered Italy, the Papal States : Napoleon conquered Italy, the Papal States 1798: Imprisoned pope Confiscated church lands in Italy Attempted invasion of Ireland Attempted invasion of Ireland 1799: Napoleon’s coup to take over government 1799: Napoleon’s coup to take over government