2. The French Revolution 1789-1815

3. Causes Existence of class distinctions Existence of class distinctions Enlightenment- shouldn’t we all be equal? Enlightenment- shouldn’t we all be equal? Seven Years’ War – causes bankruptcy Seven Years’ War – causes bankruptcy Financial mismanagement by the King Financial mismanagement by the King Monarchy out of touch with most of French citizens Monarchy out of touch with most of French citizens Population growth Population growth Bad winter = high bread prices Bad winter = high bread prices

4. Events of the Revolution Old Regime- existence of three estates whose political and economic rights were based on birth and rank, rather than merit Old Regime- existence of three estates whose political and economic rights were based on birth and rank, rather than merit Louis XVI sought financial advice to help France’s poor economy; all the same – tax the first and second estates Louis XVI sought financial advice to help France’s poor economy; all the same – tax the first and second estates

5. Estates General Louis is forced to call a meeting of the Estates General in 1789 Louis is forced to call a meeting of the Estates General in 1789 King wanted the tax plan to pass King wanted the tax plan to pass Problem: Voting Problem: Voting Wanted to vote as individuals, not estates Wanted to vote as individuals, not estates

6. National Assembly Formed National Assembly- the third estate; replaced the Estates General and promised to write a new constitution for France National Assembly- the third estate; replaced the Estates General and promised to write a new constitution for France

7. King Reacts He brought in troops to Paris He brought in troops to Paris People react by storming the Bastille People react by storming the Bastille July 14, 1789 July 14, 1789

8. Great Fear Great Fear- reaction in country side by peasants to rumors nobles were coming to destroy them; peasants destroyed nobles’ homes and financial records of money the peasants owed Great Fear- reaction in country side by peasants to rumors nobles were coming to destroy them; peasants destroyed nobles’ homes and financial records of money the peasants owed

9. Changes August 1789, National Assembly voted: August 1789, National Assembly voted: 1. no more tithe 2. no more privileges to the 1 st and 2 nd Estates

10. Declaration of the Rights of Man Men are born equal and remain equal before the law. Also granted freedoms of speech, press, religion and a fair trial. This did not include women Men are born equal and remain equal before the law. Also granted freedoms of speech, press, religion and a fair trial. This did not include women

11. National Assembly: 1789- 1791 1. Divided France into 83 equal districts 2. Seized church land and sold it off to pay national debt 3. Civil Constitution of the Clergy- govt. controlled the church; people elect clergy and state would pay their salary – Pope said no!

12. Constitution of 1791 Created a constitutional monarchy Created a constitutional monarchy Three branches of government like in U.S.; executive, judicial and legislative Three branches of government like in U.S.; executive, judicial and legislative Legislative= unicameral Legislative= unicameral National Assembly is dissolved and the Legislative Assembly replaces it National Assembly is dissolved and the Legislative Assembly replaces it Reality: wealthy who have the most power in the L.A. Reality: wealthy who have the most power in the L.A.

13. Behind the Scenes The king plotted with the nobles who had fled France at the beginning of the Revolution to get help from foreign countries to overthrow the new government The king plotted with the nobles who had fled France at the beginning of the Revolution to get help from foreign countries to overthrow the new government After Louis tried to flee, French people no longer trust him and now want, and get a republic. After Louis tried to flee, French people no longer trust him and now want, and get a republic.

14. Foreign Problems Declaration of Pillnitz- issued by Austria and Prussia called European rulers to help restore Louis XVI back to power Declaration of Pillnitz- issued by Austria and Prussia called European rulers to help restore Louis XVI back to power Louis wanted war – hoped the foreign powers would win! Louis wanted war – hoped the foreign powers would win!

15. Government, part III 1792- the National Convention replaced the Legislative Assembly and they declared France an official republic 1792- the National Convention replaced the Legislative Assembly and they declared France an official republic

16. Girondins Political party in the National Convention that were mostly from the countryside, were middle class and feared a Paris dominated France Political party in the National Convention that were mostly from the countryside, were middle class and feared a Paris dominated France Opposed to so much violence Opposed to so much violence Pierre Brissot – leader of the Girondists

17. Jacobins More radical and extremists of the National Convention More radical and extremists of the National Convention Soon took power away from the Girondins Soon took power away from the Girondins

18. Committee of Public Safety (yup, a vocab word) Created by the National Convention Created by the National Convention Directed the army Directed the army Set up a revolutionary tribunal to try all “enemies of the Revolution” Set up a revolutionary tribunal to try all “enemies of the Revolution”

19. Results of the French Revolution Democracy Democracy Nationalism Nationalism Questioning the authority of kings, priests and nobles Questioning the authority of kings, priests and nobles Increased political power of ‘the people”= bourgeoisie Increased political power of ‘the people”= bourgeoisie Abolished the three estates Abolished the three estates Possible to reorganize a society if you want to Possible to reorganize a society if you want to Inspires other democratic revolutions throughout the world Inspires other democratic revolutions throughout the world