French Revolution
What do you think? How do you view protesting? Is it a useful tool in America? How do you view protesting? Is it a useful tool in America? Should burning the American flag be unconstitutional? Should burning the American flag be unconstitutional? How do people decide when a revolution is needed? How do rebels create stability? How do people decide when a revolution is needed? How do rebels create stability?
Old Regime (Social & Political System in France) Absolute Monarchy Absolute Monarchy Controlled richest & most powerful state Controlled richest & most powerful state French society divided into 3 estates (classes) French society divided into 3 estates (classes) Estates determined legal rights & status Estates determined legal rights & status
1 st Estate 2 nd Estate 3 rd Estate Who?CLERGYNOBILITY EVERYONE ELSE % OF POPULATION 1%2%97% % LAND OWNED 10%20%70% TAXES2%NONE Tithe & to the Government OTHER INFO - Higher Clergy & Lower Clergy - Received tithe High Posts in government & military High Posts in government & military - Main income: Feudal dues -Includes 3 subgroups: peasants, city workers & bourgeoisie
Causes of French Revolution 1. Growing unrest between classes -3 rd Estate angry…unfair situation! 2. Economic Troubles Tax burdens Tax burdens Crop failures: Food shortages Crop failures: Food shortages Government in debt Government in debt Extravagant spending by King & Queen Extravagant spending by King & Queen
Continued… 3. Enlightenment ideas 3 rd estate questioned society’s structure 3 rd estate questioned society’s structure Inspired by American Revolution Inspired by American Revolution 4. Weak Leader: Louis XVI Indecisive & allowed matters to drift Indecisive & allowed matters to drift Paid little attention to advisors Paid little attention to advisors Queen Marie Antoinette Queen Marie Antoinette Interfered & gave poor advice Interfered & gave poor advice Member of Austria’s royal family (France’s enemy) Member of Austria’s royal family (France’s enemy)
DAWN OF A REVOLUTION P ESTATES GENERAL (1) ESTATES GENERAL (1) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (2) NATIONAL ASSEMBLY (2) TENNIS COURT OATH (3) TENNIS COURT OATH (3) STORMING THE BASTILLE (4) STORMING THE BASTILLE (4) GREAT FEAR (5) GREAT FEAR (5) BREAD MARCH (6) BREAD MARCH (6)
ESTATES GENERAL ESTATES GENERAL -Delegates represented each estate -Rules: Estates meet separately & had 1 vote vote -Unfair to 3 rd Estate: always outvoted NATIONAL ASSEMBLY NATIONAL ASSEMBLY -Members of the 3rd Estate -Members of the 3rd Estate -Wanted to pass laws & make -Wanted to pass laws & make reforms (end of absolute monarchy) reforms (end of absolute monarchy)
TENNIS COURT OATH TENNIS COURT OATH -3rd Estate members locked out of their meeting room -3rd Estate members locked out of their meeting room -Met on tennis court -Met on tennis court -Took oath: Pledge to write a new Constitution -Took oath: Pledge to write a new Constitution -King ordered other 2 Estates to join the National Assembly -King ordered other 2 Estates to join the National Assembly STORMING OF THE BASTILLE STORMING OF THE BASTILLE -Wanted weapons to defend themselves -Entered the Bastille (prison) & took it over by killing guards -Event to start the French Revolution
GREAT FEAR GREAT FEAR -Wave of senseless panic caused by rumors & rebellion -Fear changed into violence -Peasants became outlaws BREAD MARCH BREAD MARCH -Riot by women over the price of bread -Marched to Versailles (King's residence) -Forced King & Queen to return to Paris -Forced King & Queen to return to Paris
Constitutional Government National Assembly created- Ends Old Regime Aug Reforms made: all citizens equal Wrote Declaration of Rights: citizens given equal justice, freedom of speech & freedom of religion (Women not included) June Failed Attempt by King’s family to escape Tried to escape to Austria
Divisions Develop: Constitution of 1791 Monarchy remains, but limited powers Power to enforce the laws Set up Legislative Assembly Power to create laws Problems in France led to division in Assembly (Political Spectrum)
Political Spectrum (French Revolution) Jacobins The Plain Girondists Royalists Radicals Liberal Moderate Conservative Reactionary (Today) Favors Favors Favors Keep as is Return to extreme some minor past change change change traditions
Jacobin Authority Louis is executed as a traitor after debate (January 1793) Marat (writer) calls for the head of royalists Robespierre surfaces as the revolutions voice and leader
Reign of Terror Robespierre was Head of Committee of Public Safety Thousands are executed as enemies of the revolution Even radicals fear being named Robespierre is brought down by colleagues: shot in the jaw & sent to the guillotine! People are still starving & unhappy
French Rev. Timeline: Who controlled France? Absolute Monarchy Estates General (1789) National Assembly (Summer 1789) National Convention: Began in 1792 (King Louis convicted of treason: Sent to Guillotine) Committee of Public Safety: Formed to direct the war effort (Leader: Robespierre) Reign of Terror: July 1793-July Victims: Marie Antoinette & 17,000—mostly commoners -Reign of Terror ends when Robespierre guillotined
New constitution written: Create the Directory = Executive council of 5 men Napoleon Bonaparte -Joined leaders in coup d’etat: Kicked out Directory -Info about Napoleon a. Great military skills: Became hero because won major battles for France b. Married to Josephine: leader of Paris society New constitution: Established a dictatorship Named himself “Emperor of the French”
5 Stages of the French Revolution 1. ? Status Quo: ? the Old Regime 2. Find Flaw: Inequalities unfair to 3 rd Estate 3. Movement to Reform: Bring changes by National Assembly & Declaration of Rights of Man & Citizen 4. Movement to Suppress: Monarchy of France & other countries try to keep monarchy 5. Change is realized: Monarchy ends