1. 23.2: Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
KEY IDEA The revolutionary government of France made reforms but also used terror and violence to retain power.
Supporting Question Document: Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

2. IV. Great Fear Sweeps the Nation
Rebellion
Great Fear—wave of violent attacks
peasants burn nobles’ houses  destroy tax and feudal documents
women storm Palace - demand king move to Paris to force change

3. I. Nat’l Assembly First Steps abolished feudalism
“Declaration of the Rights of Man”  all French men equal rights (women excluded)
cut power of the Church
- sell all land  pay off debt
- Church under state control  Cath peasants oppose
king and queen scared  try to escape
- caught and placed under house arrest [popularity decreases]

5. II. Limited Monarchy Legislative Assembly
new constitution  king very little power
given lawmaking power
divisions w/in lead to opposing groups
- conservatives  “British style” monarchy
- radicals  no monarchy
- center  some gov’t changes

6. WAR AND EXTREME MEASURES
War with Austria
French [spread rev to other countries] vs. Austria and Prussia [keep abs monarchs]
war starts  rumors Fr. may lose
National Convention formed
- replaced Leg. Assembly

7. Radicals Execute the King
mobs made up of the poor form
Jacobins (most radical club) promote violence
Nat’l Conv abolished monarchy  Fr gov’t a republic
- sentenced to death [traitor]  beheaded by guillotine [efficient and humane]

9. “I am innocent and shall die without fear
“I am innocent and shall die without fear. I would that my death might bring happiness to the French, and ward off the dangers which I foresee.” -Louis XVI

10. II. Robespierre Assumes Control
Reign of Terror (Sept – July 1794)
goal: build gov’t of virtue  erase past
leader of the Committee of Public Safety
- pseudo-dictator
- executed Marie Antoinette
executes rival groups
- ~ 40,000 (70-85% peasants  not “radical” enough)

11. “Don’t forget to show my head to the people. It’s well worth seeing”
“Don’t forget to show my head to the people. It’s well worth seeing” Georges Danton

12. End of the Terror
public opinion shifted
- too many killed
- bread prices still too high
public turned on Robes.
- Nat’l Conv and people feared him
- guillotined along w/ 103 followers
moderate members of Nat’l Convention draft new constitution
- favored upper-middle class (bourgeoisie)
- 2 house legislature
- 5 person executive branch (The Directory)
…Napoleon Bonaparte