French Revolution

Revolutionary Eras Historians divide into different phases Moderate Phase of National Assembly Radical Phase-End of Monarchy and reign of Terror The Directory-Reaction against extremism Age of Napoleon

Happens at the same time as the worst famine ever. Starving peasants roamed the countryside or flocked to the towns. Even people with jobs had to spend most of their income on bread. A. Political Crisis Leads to Revolt –A. Rumors ran wild and set off what was later called the “Great Fear” 1. peasants roamed the countryside and attacked nobles causing fear on both sides.

B. Paris Commune Comes to Power –1. A variety of factions competed to gain power. –2. Moderates looked to Marquis de Lafayette for leadership. A. Headed the National Guard B. First group to wear the tricolor-(later adopted as national flag).

C. Paris Commune Comes to power –1. Radical group –2. Replaced the royalist govt. in Paris –3. Radical groups sprang up everywhere.

D. National Assembly Acts –1. August 4, 1789 Nobles voted to end own privileges. –2. National Assembly turns into law-key goal was equality for all males before the law.

E. Declaration of the Rights of Man –1. Modeled on American Declaration of Independence –2. Males had “natural rights” & equal before the law. –3. Established that governments exist to protect the rights of citizens –Established freedom of religion & taxes according to ability to pay.

Passed the Declaration of the Rights of Man Document that limited the French monarchy and declared all citizens equal before the law

5.Established French Slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” 6. Women angered they were left out. –1. Olympe de Gouges demanded equal rights for women. –2. Later imprisoned with other women protestors.

F. Louis XVI Resists –1. Did not accept reforms of National Assembly –2. Continued with galas while people starved.

G. Women march on Versailles –1. Oct. 5, 6,000 women marched to Versailles demanding to see the king. –2. Anger directed at Marie Antoinette. –3. King and family forced to return to Paris. –4. Louis was virtual prisoner for next 3 years.

H. Church put under State Control – bishops and priests became elected officials. –2. Ended papal authority –3. Many peasants rejected the changes

I. Constitution of 1791 –1. Established limited monarchy –2. Established legislative body –3. Males 25 and over could vote. –4. Reformed many laws. –5. Louis XVI attempted escape but was apprehended. A. Looked on as a traitor to revolution.

J. Radicals take over –1. Rulers feared the “French Plague” –2. Nobles and clergy fled France. –K. Declaration of Pilnitz –1. Issued by emperor of Austria. –2. Threatened intervention if King and family were harmed –3. France prepared for war.

L. Radicals Fight for Power –1. Economic problems continued –2. Sans-culottes pushed revolution to more radical action. A Demanded a Republic B. Jacobins-middle class clube pushed republican cause.

K. Declaration of War –1. April Assembly declared war on Austria, Prussia, Britain and other states. –2. Fighting lasted until 1815.

I.French Republic A. Radicals took control of Assembly B. Called National Convention 1. Granted suffrage to all males 2. Declared France a republic 3. Jacobins seized lands of nobles, abolished titles. a. everyone called citizen

II. Louis XVI put on trial as a traitor. A. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette were beheaded as traitors January B. France became a Republic. C France at war with much of Europe. 1. Uprisings occurred against govt. 2. food shortages, rising prices. 3. convention was bitterly divided

III. Committee of Public Safety –A. Convention created 12 man group in charge of reign of terror. –B. Lasted from July 1793-July –C. Led by Maximilien Robespierre –D. 40,000 executed by guillotine. 1.15% nobles, 15% middle class, rest peasants and sancoulottes involved in riots and revolts against govt. 2. Many cases of mistaken identity and false accusations 3. Method of execution was guillotine.

IV. Moderates produced 3 rd constitution in –A. Installed a Five man directory and a two house legislature. 1. lasted from Dictatorial but weak 3. Failed to solve problems. 4. Some leaders looked to Napoleon Bonaparte for help

V. Women & Revolution –A. Women of all classes participated in revolution. –B. Declaration of the Rights of Man did not grant equal citizenship to women. C. Women did gain some rights. 1. could inherit property 2. divorce was easier D. rights did not last long after Napoleon gained power.

By 1799, the French Revolution had dramatically changed France. It had dislodged the old social order, overthrown the monarchy, and brought the Church under state control. Many changes occurred in everyday life: New symbols, such as the tricolor, emerged. Titles were eliminated. Elaborate fashions were replaced by practical clothes. People developed a strong sense of national identity. Nationalism, a strong feeling of pride and devotion to one’s country, spread throughout France.