French Revolution Modern World History

Background France – richest and most powerful nation in Europe France – richest and most powerful nation in Europe Minority had all the wealth (nobles and clergy) Minority had all the wealth (nobles and clergy) Working men and women w/ few rights want a better life Working men and women w/ few rights want a better life Class system – everyone belonged to one of the three “estates” Class system – everyone belonged to one of the three “estates”

Causes Enlightenment Ideas Enlightenment Ideas –New views about power and authority –American Revolution is a sign of hope – ideas put into action Economic failure Economic failure –Increase in population = decrease in resources/food = starvation –Kings put France in debt – wars and extravagant lifestyles –Crop failure = bread shortages –Supported the American Revolution Weak Leader Weak Leader –Louis XVI is indecisive –People resent King’s power – everyone wants more political power Social Structure - unfair Social Structure - unfair

Major Events Estates-General called (1 st time in 175 yrs) Estates-General called (1 st time in 175 yrs) –King needs $, wants to tax other classes, 1 st and 2 nd estates refuse –Estates called together to pass new taxes  Made up of delegates representing each estate  One estate-one vote = 1 st estate and 2 nd estates usually overrule 3 rd estate  3 rd estate refuses plan – should have more say –Want “one man – one vote”  Estates-General deadlocked

Major Events Tennis Court Oath Tennis Court Oath –3 rd estate renames itself “National Assembly” and decides to draw up a new constitution –3 rd estate arrives at EG – locked out –Gathered at nearby indoor tennis court – take oath  Won’t disband until a new constitution is written for France

Major Events A Call to Revolt A Call to Revolt –King senses danger of new constitution –Orders 1 st and 2 nd estates to join National Assembly – make them come to their senses –King called troops to concentrate around Paris –People are afraid the new reforms would stop and that the King would dissolve the National Assembly

Major Events Fall of the Bastille (infamous prison and royal armory) Fall of the Bastille (infamous prison and royal armory) –Symbolizes injustices of the monarchy –Mob surrounds prison on July 14, 1789 to steal weapons to defend themselves –Overtake the prison and kill the guards –Celebration begins but not for long…

Major Events Great Fear Great Fear –Rumors that nobles had hired criminals to kill peasants and take property –Fear turns to violence –Peasants break in to houses – rob and destroy

Major Events March to Versailles March to Versailles –October 1789 – Parisian women riot over rising prices of bread –Broke into Palace of Versailles –Demand Louis and Marie Antoinette return to Paris

Reform and Terror

The Rights of Man Declaration of the Rights of Man Declaration of the Rights of Man –Modeled after the D of I –“Men are born free and equal in rights.” –“Liberty, property, security and resistance to oppression.” –Equal justice, freedom of speech, freedom of religion freedom of religion

The Church National Assembly takes the Church National Assembly takes the Church –Loses both land and political power –Money from selling Church land pays French debts

Escape! Louis makes a move to escape Louis makes a move to escape 1791: Caught at the Austrian Netherlands boarder 1791: Caught at the Austrian Netherlands boarder –In BIG trouble with the National Assembly Limiting the Monarchy Limiting the Monarchy –New Legislative Assembly –Takes power away from King

The War Prussians side with France Prussians side with France French are upset with this alliance French are upset with this alliance 20,000 men and women take the Royal family as prisoners 20,000 men and women take the Royal family as prisoners Paris spirals out of control with chaos and murder Paris spirals out of control with chaos and murder

Divisions 1792: Jacobins take control –Louis is reduced to a prisoner –National Assembly orders his execution –Robespierre takes power—Extremist using terror and bloodshed More countries band against France More countries band against France –The French army grows to 800,000 people

Congress of Vienna Putting Europe Together Again…

The Congress of Vienna Purpose: Create security and stability in Europe Purpose: Create security and stability in Europe Supposed to last 4 weeks Supposed to last 4 weeks Lasted for 8 months! Lasted for 8 months!

Prince Klemens von Metterich Austrian Prince Austrian Prince 3 point plan 3 point plan –Contain France—Strong countries surround France –Balance of Power—France is punished, but not destroyed –Restore the Royal Families

Added Protection Holy Alliance—Russia, Austria and Prussia Holy Alliance—Russia, Austria and Prussia –Band together to stop European revolts –Use Christian values as diplomacy Concert of Europe—Other countries help each other out in case revolutions start Concert of Europe—Other countries help each other out in case revolutions start

French Revolution Effects Monarch is restored—Lower class still want a change (hold on to Enlightenment ideals) Monarch is restored—Lower class still want a change (hold on to Enlightenment ideals) –Constitutional Monarchy Inspires revolutions in Latin America Inspires revolutions in Latin America Nationalism spreads throughout Europe Nationalism spreads throughout Europe Many people see Democracy as the only way to ensure civil rights Many people see Democracy as the only way to ensure civil rights