Post on 07-Nov-2014
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French Revolution
Long Range Reasons1. Fr still Feudal society2. Enlightenment3. Scientific Rev4. Cost of food5. American Rev
Short Range Reasons1. Louis’ spending2. Queens’ gambling 1 mil
a year3. Collapse of all govt.
finances
Roots of French revolution
The following slides describe the difficulties of “classes” in France.
There were 3 “Estates” (classes) in France.
Roots of French revolution
1st Estate aka ClergyLess than 1% of popExempt from natl. French tax
Roots of French revolution
2nd Estate aka Govt. officialsLess than 2% of popExempt from Fr natl tax
Roots of French revolution
3rd Estate aka Common Folk97% of pop
◦ 80% peasants; 17% middle class Includes BourgeoisiePaid almost 100% of Fr taxes
Roots of French revolution
3rd Estate the BourgeoisieDoctors; lawyers; merchantsNo voice in govtWanted higher social status
3rd Estate PeasantsPaid fees to use: mills, ovens,
wine press½ salary went to fees, tithes
Roots of the French Revolution
Roots of the French Revolution
Louis needs moneyWants to tax the 1st/2nd estatesCalls 3 estates to Versailles Called meeting of Estates
General◦ first time called in 175 years
Meeting of Estates General
May 5, 17891st/2nd estates have 300 each3rd have 600 totalBut only 1 vote for each estate
(total of 3 votes only)Basically 3rd estate screwed
Meeting of Estates General
3rd estate makes wavesWant all delegates to have 1
vote eachKing says no – stay with old
waysJune 17, 1789
◦ 3rd estate recreates itself into a “National Assembly”
◦ Own constitution◦ Tennis court oath
The Tennis Court Oath
National assembly◦ 3 days later find themselves
locked outThe Tennis Court Oath
◦ Pledge not to leave until all 3 estates draft new constitution
Storming of the Bastille
July 14, 1789Louis doesn’t trust his troops
◦ Swiss guards protect himMoves Swiss troops to
Versailles and Paris◦Mass fear that he is stopping
National Assembly and the RevRumors Rumors
◦ The Bastille holds 20,000 lbs of gun powder
◦Mobs “storm” it to protect the NA and Rev
A Great Fear
Peasants Becoming Outlaws◦ Break into nobles’ manors
Get Louis!!!◦ Peasants march on Versailles ◦ Louis “leaves” to Paris
Assembly Reforms France
The Rights of Man ◦ Like our DOI◦ “Men are born free and remain
free”National Assembly (NA)
◦ Creates constitution – forces Louis to sign
Louis Tries to Escape
Louis and Family ◦ Change clothes with servants◦Make break for Austria
Pictures Pictures◦ Apparently they recognize him
from the money pic◦ Oh and the royal seal on the
carriageLegislative Assembly (NA)
◦ King is no longer◦ Call for his execution (Marie also)
Poor Poor Louis
January 21, 1793◦ “Citizen” Louis is marched to
scaffoldCourage and dignity
◦ “I am innocent and shall die without fear. I would hope that my death might bring happiness to the French”
Blood Blood◦ His head is held up◦ Silence at first – then cheers◦ Dipping of handkerchiefs
Poor Poor Marie
October 16, 1793◦Marie’s untimely death
Fashion to the end◦Wore the same black dress she
wore at trial◦Wore it for 2 months◦ Not allowed to wear at execution –
fear of sympathy
The Guillotine
Humane?◦ Dr. Joseph Guillotine supported it
as being “humane”◦ Actually was compared to other
waysEquality
◦ Instead of nobles getting axed and the poor being hung
◦Made execution almost production line style
The Reign of Terror
September 1793 to 1794◦ 40,000 executed ◦ Radicals take over NA and want
reformsNot radical enough?
◦ 18 yo boy executed for cutting tree down
◦ Bartender executed for selling sour wine
Led by Robespierre
Robespierre
Wild Man◦ Tries to eliminate religion◦ Creates the Cult of the Supreme
Being◦ Calls for many more executions
Radicals fear the Radical◦ He is arrested and executed