1. THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

2. ESSENTIAL QUESTION
In what ways did the Enlightenment and American Revolution influence the course of the French Revolution?

3. Causes of the Revolution
 Louis’ Financial Problems
 Food Shortage in France
Tax increase to help pay off debt from the American Revolution
The lavish lives of Royalty & the nobility

4. Louis XVI & Marie Antoinette
Inherited debt from predecessors
Borrowed money to help finance the American Revolution
Marie was a foreigner and was hated from the time she set foot in France.
Both are executed during the revolution
King of France during revolution
Considered a weak leader
Ill prepared for his role as king of France
Extravagant spending for personal use
Inherited debt from predecessors
Borrowed money to help finance the American Revolution
Louis was easily bored with affairs of state
Critics accused him of being detached from the plight of 3rd estate

5. Calling of The Estates General
Louis calls the Estates General (representative body) to raise taxes in order to alleviate debt
3rd Estate always outvoted by 1st & 2nd
3rd Estate locked out of the meeting when they suggest reforms
They break from the 1st & 2nd estate and create: The National Assembly

6. Tennis Court Oath
“National Assembly” declares that they would continue their meeting until they had a new Constitution on June 20th 1789
Reformers from other estates join the cause.

7. The Tennis Court Oath

8. Revolution Begins: The Storming of the Bastille
July 14th, 1789 citizens of Paris storm the medieval castle/prison called the Bastille.
Symbolic act of Revolution as it destroyed an image of the old regime and Divine Right Ideology
Gave birth to a revolutionary spirit of equality and brotherhood

9. Bastille Day July 14th, 1789

10. The Declaration of Rights of Man
August 27, 1789—created by the National Assembly
Influenced by Enlightenment and American Declaration of Independence
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

11. The Declaration stated:
1. All people are equal before the law.
2. All people are guaranteed freedom of
speech, press ,and religion.
3. All people are protected from unfair
arrest and punishment.

12. Revolution Explodes
Two major groups of revolutionaries: Girondists & Jacobins
Jacobins were radicals and wanted MAJOR revolutionary changes
Girondists were more moderate and wanted change, just not by any means necessary
Louis

13. The Reign of Terror Brought on by Robespierre & Jacobins
Executed those against the revolution or those who had counter revolutionary ideas
Thousands of counter revolutionaries are executed by the “National Razor” from September 1793—July 1794
Louis

14. "Show my head to the people, it is worth seeing."
Robespierre was killed in 1794 ending the Reign of Terror

15. The Directory
A new government was established after Robespierre called “The Directory”
A “representative” council that ruled France from Paris
It was very corrupt and had many enemies
In 1799 it was overthrown by a powerful French General named Napoleon Bonaparte

16. Napoleon and the Rise of Nationalism