Background and Beginnings -...
Transcript of Background and Beginnings -...
The French Revolution
Background and Beginnings
King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette
“The Old Regime”
The French Revolution Political Background
• The king ruled by Divine Right
• The king selected officials
based on social rank not ability.
• The king censored speech and
press
• The Estates General had not
met in 175 years.
First
Estate
Clergy
1%
Second
Estate
Nobles
2%
Third Estate
Bourgeoisie, Laborers, Artisans
Peasants
97%
The French Revolution Social Conditions
• The First Estate was exempt
from taxes military service
• The Second Estate owned most
of the land and was exempt
from taxes.
• The Third Estate paid most of
the taxes and did virtually all
the work. Burden of the Third Estate
The French Revolution Economic Conditions
The Economic conditions of France had been gradually growing
worse since the reign of Louis XIV. By 1787, the country was near
bankruptcy and faced financial disaster. This was due to:
• Extravagant lifestyle of the monarchy.
• Spending vast amounts on wars.
• Debt created by French support of the
American Revolution. • Exemption of the upper classes from
taxation.
Economic Discontentment
The French population began to grow rapidly in the 1700’s. While
families had more children to support poor economic conditions
caused great hardships:
• Prices rose dramatically in the 1700’s while
wages barely rose. This was especially true
of bread prices which were a staple of the
masses
• High taxes on peasants caused numerous
riots which were ruthlessly suppressed.
• Nobles and clergy raised rents and fees on
the lower classes
Basic Causes of the French Revolution
First
Estate
Second
Estate
Third
Estate
Taxed Owned
Land
Served
in Govt.
Subject to
Military
NO
YES
NO
NO NO
YES YES
YES YES
YES
YES
NO
Inequity of the French Estates
Influence of French Philosophers
Basic Causes of the French Revolution
Voltaire
Letters on the English
Advocated free speech,
praised England’s limited
monarchy and denounced
the French government.
“I may not agree with a word you say, but
I’ll defend to the death your right to say it”
Jean Jacques Rousseau
The Social Contract Government should be based on
popular sovereignty and people
have the right to change
government when they are
discontented
Montesquieu
Spirit of the Laws The perfect government
contained checks and balances
Influence of Foreign Revolutions
The Marquis de Lafayette in the American Revolution
Benjamin Franklin in the French court.
Thomas Jefferson author of The Declaration of Independence
Basic Causes of the French Revolution
Queen
Marie Antoinette Madame Deficit
• Austrian Princess unpopular
with people
• Didn’t understand French
customs
• Spent extravagant amounts
on jewelry, clothing, and
gambling.
“Let them eat cake”
Discontentment with the government Basic Causes of the French Revolution
1715
1789 17 Million
24.7 Million
Population Explosion in France
Reasons for Growth: •Greater Food Production
•Increased Prosperity
•Better Sanitation
•Lack of Wars & Invasion
Basic Causes of the French Revolution
Taxes
50%
Personal
Income
28%
Tithes
10%
Feudal
Dues
12%
Income Distribution of the Third Estate
First Estate 300 members 1 Vote
Second Estate 300 members 1 Vote
Third Estate 600 members 1 Vote
Convened for the first time
in 175 years
The Estates General of France May 5, 1789
The National Assembly
Created June 17, 1789
The Tennis Court Oath
June 20, 1789
Storming of the Bastille
July 14, 1789
Storming of the Bastille
July 14, 1789
The National Assembly
Abolished All Ancient Feudal Rights No more distinction of social classes
The August Decrees - August 5, 1789
Declaration of the Rights of Man August 27, 1789
“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”
Make-up of the National
Convention
Speaker
Moderates
1791-1792
Make-up of the National
Convention
Speaker
Moderates
1792-1795
Jean Paul Marat
Journalist who was an early
Jacobin leader. Outspoken critic
of the Old Regime
Advocated death for opponents
of the revolution
Because of a skin disease, he
was forced to work out of his
bathtub
Georges Danton
Powerful leader of the
Jacobins and a strong public
speaker.
Very popular with common
people.
Maximilien Robespierre
“The Apostle of Terror”
Became the most powerful
leader of the Jacobins and
the most feared man in
France.
Led the revolution to its
most radical stage, the
Reign of Terror
Seizure of the Royal Family – August, 1792
On September 22, 1792, the convention established
the First French Republic
All adult male citizens were given the right to vote
The monarchy was abolished and the royal family
imprisoned
The First French Republic
Trial of Louis XVI Dec. 12, 1792 - Jan. 21, 1793
Louis was charged for conspiring
against the revolution. Jacobins
dominated the trial
On Jan. 15, 1793, Louis was found
guilty by a 683 to 66 vote
The next day Louis was sentenced to
execution by a 361 to 360 vote
Execution of Louis XVI January 21, 1793
Louis must die, so
that the republic
may live -Robespierre
The First Coalition
March 1793 • France announced that it planned to export the
Revolution to all of Europe
• Several countries formed a coalition against
France.
The Netherlands Austria Prussia Spain
Great Britain
Became the first of four anti-French coalitions
from 1793-1815.
The Committee of Public Safety Formed March 10, 1793 Formed to combat outside enemies
Consisted of 12 members
Sought out enemies of the revolution
Total control over affairs of state
Made & carried out all laws
Jacobin Takeover of the Convention May 31, 1793
On May 31, 1793, Jacobins began
arresting and executing Girondins
Many Girondins escaped and became
émigrés
On July 31, 1793, a Girondin
supporter, Charlotte Corday,
assassinated Marat as he sat in his
bathtub. He became a martyr.
Assassination of Marat
July 31, 1793
Assassinated by a Girondin sympathizer Charlotte Corday as he
worked in his bathtub
The Reign of Terror Sept. 17, 1793 - July 28, 1794
Devised to stop any
opposition to the revolution.
Defendants were tried by the
Revolutionary Tribunal.
Trials were quick and
unfair.
More than 40,000 citizens,
mostly peasants, were
executed
Execution of Marie Antoinette October 16, 1793
Monsieur, I beg your
pardon Last Words of Marie Antoinette
The Revolution Devours its Own End of the Terror
In April 1794, Danton called for
an end to the terror. He and his
followers were executed.
Execution of Danton April 5, 1794
Execution of Robespierre July 28, 1794
By July, moderates had turned
against Robespierre. He was
executed on July 28, 1794
ending the Reign of Terror.
Moderate Control of the Convention
July 29, 1794 - October 26, 1795
Moderates regained control of the convention
All Jacobin clubs were closed
When the economy worsened mobs tried to break
up the convention.
They were stopped by a young unknown general
named Napoleon Bonaparte
The Constitution of 1795
The moderates who controlled the Convention
finished the new Constitution in the fall of 1795
A new government called The Directory was
created
The Directory consisted of an executive branch of
5 directors, and a weak legislature.
The Directory lasted until 1799 when Napoleon
staged a Coup d'état and formed a new
government.
Napoleon Bonaparte