The French The French RevolutionRevolution

The Old Regime (The Old Regime (Ancien Ancien RegimeRegime))

Old RegimeOld Regime – socio-political system which – socio-political system which existed in most of Europe during the 18existed in most of Europe during the 18thth centurycentury

Countries were ruled by Countries were ruled by absolutismabsolutism – the – the monarch had absolute control over the monarch had absolute control over the governmentgovernment

Classes of people – privileged and unprivilegedClasses of people – privileged and unprivileged– Unprivileged people Unprivileged people – paid taxes and treated – paid taxes and treated

badlybadly– Privileged people Privileged people – did not pay taxes and treated – did not pay taxes and treated

wellwell

Society under the Old Society under the Old RegimeRegime

In France, people were divided into three In France, people were divided into three estatesestates– First EstateFirst Estate

High-ranking members of the ChurchHigh-ranking members of the Church Privileged classPrivileged class

– Second EstateSecond Estate NobilityNobility Privileged classPrivileged class

– Third EstateThird Estate Everyone else – from peasants in the countryside to Everyone else – from peasants in the countryside to

wealthy bourgeoisie merchants in the citieswealthy bourgeoisie merchants in the cities Unprivileged classUnprivileged class

The Three EstatesThe Three EstatesEstateEstate PopulatioPopulatio

nnPrivilegesPrivileges ExemptionExemption

ssBurdensBurdens

First First Circa 130,000Circa 130,000

High-ranking High-ranking clergyclergy

Collected the titheCollected the titheCensorship of the pressCensorship of the pressControl of educationControl of educationKept records of births, Kept records of births, deaths, marriages, etc.deaths, marriages, etc.Catholic faith held Catholic faith held honored position of being honored position of being the state religion (practiced the state religion (practiced by monarch and nobility)by monarch and nobility)Owned 20% of the landOwned 20% of the land

Paid no taxesPaid no taxesSubject to Subject to Church law Church law rather than civil rather than civil lawlaw

Moral obligation (rather than Moral obligation (rather than legal obligation) to assist the legal obligation) to assist the poor and needypoor and needySupport the monarchy and Support the monarchy and Old RegimeOld Regime

SeconSecondd

Circa 110,000Circa 110,000

NoblesNobles

Collected taxes in the Collected taxes in the form of feudal duesform of feudal duesMonopolized military and Monopolized military and state appointmentsstate appointmentsOwned 20% of the landOwned 20% of the land

Paid no taxesPaid no taxes Support the monarchy and Support the monarchy and Old RegimeOld Regime

Third Third Circa Circa 27,000,00027,000,000

Everyone Everyone else: artisans, else: artisans, bourgeoisie, bourgeoisie, city workers, city workers, merchants, merchants, peasants, etc., peasants, etc., along with along with many parish many parish priestspriests

NoneNone NoneNone Paid all taxesPaid all taxesTithe (Church tax)Tithe (Church tax)OctrotOctrot (tax on goods brought (tax on goods brought into cities)into cities)CorvéeCorvée (forced road work) (forced road work)CapitationCapitation (poll tax) (poll tax)VingtiémeVingtiéme (income tax) (income tax)GabelleGabelle (salt tax) (salt tax)TailleTaille (land tax) (land tax)Feudal dues for use of local Feudal dues for use of local manor’s winepress, oven, etc.manor’s winepress, oven, etc.

What does this contemporary political cartoon say about conditions in France under the Old Regime?

Government under the Old Government under the Old Regime:Regime:

The Divine Right of KingsThe Divine Right of Kings Monarch ruled by Monarch ruled by divine rightdivine right

– God put the world in motionGod put the world in motion– God put some people in positions of powerGod put some people in positions of power– Power is given by GodPower is given by God– No one can question GodNo one can question God– No one can question someone put in No one can question someone put in

power by Godpower by God– Questioning the monarchy was blasphemy Questioning the monarchy was blasphemy

because it meant questioning Godbecause it meant questioning God

What the King DidWhat the King Did

Economic Conditions under Economic Conditions under thethe

Old RegimeOld Regime France’s economy was based primarily on France’s economy was based primarily on

agricultureagriculture Peasant farmers of France bore the Peasant farmers of France bore the

burden of taxationburden of taxation Poor harvests meant that peasants had Poor harvests meant that peasants had

trouble paying their regular taxestrouble paying their regular taxes– Certainly could not afford to have their taxes Certainly could not afford to have their taxes

raisedraised Bourgeoisie often managed to gather Bourgeoisie often managed to gather

wealthwealth– But were upset that they paid taxes while But were upset that they paid taxes while

nobles did notnobles did not

France Is BankruptFrance Is Bankrupt The king (Louis XVI) lavished money on The king (Louis XVI) lavished money on

himself and residences like Versailleshimself and residences like Versailles Queen Marie Antoinette was seen as a Queen Marie Antoinette was seen as a

wasteful spenderwasteful spender Government found its funds depleted as a Government found its funds depleted as a

result of warsresult of wars– Including the funding of the American Including the funding of the American

RevolutionRevolution Deficit spendingDeficit spending – a government spending – a government spending

more money than it takes in from tax more money than it takes in from tax revenuesrevenues

Privileged classes would not submit to being Privileged classes would not submit to being taxed taxed

Philosophy of the French Philosophy of the French Revolution: The Enlightenment Revolution: The Enlightenment

(Age of Reason)(Age of Reason) Scientists during the Renaissance had Scientists during the Renaissance had

discovered laws that govern the natural worlddiscovered laws that govern the natural world Intellectuals (Intellectuals (philosophes)philosophes) began to ask if began to ask if

natural laws might also apply to human beingsnatural laws might also apply to human beings– Particularly to human institutions such as Particularly to human institutions such as

governmentsgovernments– PhilosophesPhilosophes were were secularsecular in thinking – they used in thinking – they used

reason and logic, rather than faith, religion, and reason and logic, rather than faith, religion, and superstition, to answer important questionssuperstition, to answer important questions

– Used reason and logic to determine how Used reason and logic to determine how governments are formedgovernments are formed Tried to figure out what logical, rational principles work Tried to figure out what logical, rational principles work

to tie people to their governmentsto tie people to their governments– Questioned the divine right of kingsQuestioned the divine right of kings

Long- and Short-term Long- and Short-term CausesCauses

Long-term causesLong-term causes– Also known as Also known as underlying causesunderlying causes– Causes which can stem back many yearsCauses which can stem back many years

Short-term causesShort-term causes– Also known as Also known as immediate causesimmediate causes– Causes which happen close to the moment the Causes which happen close to the moment the

change or action happenschange or action happens

Key: One typically does not happen without Key: One typically does not happen without the other. Events which bring important the other. Events which bring important change, or action need both long-term and change, or action need both long-term and short-term causes. short-term causes.

Long-term Causes of the Long-term Causes of the French RevolutionFrench Revolution

AbsolutismAbsolutism Unjust socio-political system (Ancien Unjust socio-political system (Ancien

Regime)Regime) Poor harvests left peasant farmers with little Poor harvests left peasant farmers with little

money for taxesmoney for taxes Influence of Enlightenment Influence of Enlightenment philosophesphilosophes

System of mercantilism restricted tradeSystem of mercantilism restricted trade Influence of other successful revolutionsInfluence of other successful revolutions -England’s Glorious Revolution (1688--England’s Glorious Revolution (1688-

1689)1689) -American Revolution-American Revolution

Short-term Causes of the Short-term Causes of the French RevolutionFrench Revolution

Preparing for the Preparing for the Estates-Estates-GeneralGeneral

Winter of 1788-1789Winter of 1788-1789– Members of the estates elected Members of the estates elected

representativesrepresentatives

CahiersCahiers– Traditional lists of grievances written Traditional lists of grievances written

by the peopleby the people– Nothing out of the ordinary Nothing out of the ordinary

Asked for only moderate changesAsked for only moderate changes

Meeting of the Meeting of the Estates-Estates-GeneralGeneral::

May 5, 1789May 5, 1789 Voting was conducted by estateVoting was conducted by estate

– Each estate had one voteEach estate had one vote– First and Second Estates could operate as a First and Second Estates could operate as a

blocbloc to stop the Third Estate from having its to stop the Third Estate from having its wayway

First Estate + Second Estate First Estate + Second Estate vsvs. Third . Third EstateEstate

Representatives from the Third Estate Representatives from the Third Estate demanded that voting be by populationdemanded that voting be by population– This would give the Third Estate a great This would give the Third Estate a great

advantageadvantage Deadlock resultedDeadlock resulted

Tennis Court OathTennis Court Oath

The Tennis Court OathThe Tennis Court Oath““The National Assembly, considering that it has been The National Assembly, considering that it has been

summoned to establish the constitution of the summoned to establish the constitution of the kingdom, to effect the regeneration of the public kingdom, to effect the regeneration of the public

order, and to maintain the true principles of order, and to maintain the true principles of monarchy; that nothing can prevent it from monarchy; that nothing can prevent it from

continuing its deliberations in whatever place it may continuing its deliberations in whatever place it may be forced to establish itself; and, finally, that be forced to establish itself; and, finally, that

wheresoever its members are assembled, there is the wheresoever its members are assembled, there is the National Assembly;National Assembly;

““Decrees that all members of this Assembly shall Decrees that all members of this Assembly shall immediately take a solemn oath not to separate, and immediately take a solemn oath not to separate, and to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until to reassemble wherever circumstances require, until the constitution of the kingdom is established and the constitution of the kingdom is established and

consolidated upon firm foundations; and that, the said consolidated upon firm foundations; and that, the said oath taken, all members and each one of them oath taken, all members and each one of them

individually shall ratify this steadfast resolution by individually shall ratify this steadfast resolution by signature.”signature.”

Four government phases Four government phases (Periods) of the French (Periods) of the French

RevolutionRevolutionNational Assembly (1789-1791)

Legislative Assembly (1791-1792)

Convention (1792 – 1795)

Directory (1795 -1799)

National Assembly (1789-1791)National Assembly (1789-1791)

Louis XVI did not actually want a Louis XVI did not actually want a written constitutionwritten constitution

When news of his plan to use military When news of his plan to use military force against the National Assembly force against the National Assembly reached Paris on reached Paris on July 14, 1789July 14, 1789, , people stormed the people stormed the BastilleBastille

Uprising in ParisUprising in Paris July 14, 1789July 14, 1789 -Parisians organized their own government -Parisians organized their own government

which they called the Commune.which they called the Commune. -Small factions competed to control the city of -Small factions competed to control the city of

Paris.Paris. The uprising spread throughout FranceThe uprising spread throughout France -Nobles were attacked-Nobles were attacked -Records of feudal dues and owed taxes were -Records of feudal dues and owed taxes were

destroyed.destroyed. -Many nobles fled the country and became -Many nobles fled the country and became

known as émigrésknown as émigrés -Louis XVI was forced to fly the new tricolour -Louis XVI was forced to fly the new tricolour

flagflag

Goodbye, Versailles! Goodbye, Versailles! Adieu, Adieu, Versailles!Versailles!

Parisian Commune feared that Louis Parisian Commune feared that Louis XVI would have foreign troops invade XVI would have foreign troops invade France to put down the rebellionFrance to put down the rebellion– Louis XVI’s wife, Marie Antoinette, was the Louis XVI’s wife, Marie Antoinette, was the

sister of the Austrian emperorsister of the Austrian emperor A group of women attacked Versailles A group of women attacked Versailles

on October 5, 1789on October 5, 1789– Forced royal family to relocate to Paris Forced royal family to relocate to Paris

along with National Assemblyalong with National Assembly– Royal family spent next several years in Royal family spent next several years in

the Tuileries Palace, essentially as the Tuileries Palace, essentially as prisoners.prisoners.

Tuileries Palace (Paris, Tuileries Palace (Paris, France)France)

Changes under the National Changes under the National AssemblyAssembly

Abolishment of guilds and labour unionsAbolishment of guilds and labour unions Abolition of special priveleges for nobilityAbolition of special priveleges for nobility Constitution of 1791Constitution of 1791 Equality before the law (for men)Equality before the law (for men) Many nobles left France and became Many nobles left France and became

known as known as emigresemigres Reforms in local governmentsReforms in local governments Taxes levied based on the ability to payTaxes levied based on the ability to pay Declaration of the Rights of ManDeclaration of the Rights of Man

Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of ManMan

Freedom of ReligionFreedom of Religion Freedom of SpeechFreedom of Speech Freedom of the PressFreedom of the Press Right of the people to create lawsRight of the people to create laws Guaranteed property rightsGuaranteed property rights Right to a fair trialRight to a fair trial Liberty, Equality, FraternityLiberty, Equality, Fraternity

Declaration of the Rights of Declaration of the Rights of WomanWoman

Olympe de Gouges was a journalist in Paris who Olympe de Gouges was a journalist in Paris who released this document as a sort of protest.released this document as a sort of protest.

She argued that women are equal citizens and She argued that women are equal citizens and that they should benefit from reforms just as men that they should benefit from reforms just as men did.did.

Women did gain SOME rights during the Women did gain SOME rights during the revolution, but they were designed for other revolution, but they were designed for other purposes than liberating womenpurposes than liberating women

-Women could inherit property, but only -Women could inherit property, but only because doing because doing so would weaken feudalism and so would weaken feudalism and reduced wealth among reduced wealth among the upper classes.the upper classes.

-Divorce became easier, but this was only to -Divorce became easier, but this was only to weaken the weaken the Church’s control over marriage.Church’s control over marriage.

End of Special PrivilegesEnd of Special Privileges Church lands were seized, divided, and Church lands were seized, divided, and

sold to peasantssold to peasants The The Civil Constitution of the ClergyCivil Constitution of the Clergy

required that Church officials be elected required that Church officials be elected by the people, with salaries paid by the by the people, with salaries paid by the governmentgovernment– 2/3 of Church officials fled the country rather 2/3 of Church officials fled the country rather

than swear allegiance to thisthan swear allegiance to this All feudal dues and tithes were eradicatedAll feudal dues and tithes were eradicated All special privileges of the First and All special privileges of the First and

Second Estates were abolishedSecond Estates were abolished

Reforms in Local Reforms in Local GovernmentGovernment

The 30 provinces and their king-The 30 provinces and their king-appointed appointed IntendantsIntendants were replaced were replaced with 83 new departmentswith 83 new departments– Ruled by elected governorsRuled by elected governors

New courts, with judges elected by New courts, with judges elected by the people, were establishedthe people, were established

Constitution of 1791Constitution of 1791

Democratic featuresDemocratic features– France became a France became a limited monarchylimited monarchy

-King became merely the head of state-King became merely the head of state

– All laws were created by the All laws were created by the Legislative Legislative AssemblyAssembly

– Feudalism was abolishedFeudalism was abolished Undemocratic featuresUndemocratic features

– Voting was limited to taxpayersVoting was limited to taxpayers– Offices were reserved for property ownersOffices were reserved for property owners

This new government became known as This new government became known as the the Legislative AssemblyLegislative Assembly

Legislative Assembly (1791-Legislative Assembly (1791-1792)1792)

Royal family sought help from AustriaRoyal family sought help from Austria– In June, 1791, the Royal Family snuck out of the palace by In June, 1791, the Royal Family snuck out of the palace by

dressing as commoners and took a carriage out of the city. dressing as commoners and took a carriage out of the city. At Varennes, they were caught by someone who At Varennes, they were caught by someone who recognized them and they were arrested and brought back.recognized them and they were arrested and brought back.

Nobles who fled the revolution lived abroad as Nobles who fled the revolution lived abroad as émigrésémigrés– They hoped that, with foreign help, the Old Regime could They hoped that, with foreign help, the Old Regime could

be restored in Francebe restored in France Church officials wanted Church lands, rights, and Church officials wanted Church lands, rights, and

privileges restoredprivileges restored– Some devout Catholic peasants also supported the ChurchSome devout Catholic peasants also supported the Church

Political parties, representing different interests, Political parties, representing different interests, emergedemerged– GirondistsGirondists– JacobinsJacobins

Opposition to the New Opposition to the New GovernmentGovernment

European monarchs feared that revolution European monarchs feared that revolution would spread to their own countrieswould spread to their own countries– France was invaded by Austrian and Prussian France was invaded by Austrian and Prussian

troopstroops In the uproar, the Commune took control of In the uproar, the Commune took control of

ParisParis– Commune was led by Commune was led by DantonDanton, a member of the , a member of the

Jacobin political partyJacobin political party Voters began electing representatives for a new Voters began electing representatives for a new

convention which would write a republican convention which would write a republican constitution for Franceconstitution for France– A A republicrepublic is a government in which the people is a government in which the people

elect representatives who will create laws and rule elect representatives who will create laws and rule on their behalfon their behalf

– Meanwhile, thousands of nobles were executed Meanwhile, thousands of nobles were executed under the suspicion that they were conspirators in under the suspicion that they were conspirators in the foreign invasionthe foreign invasion

Convention (1792-1795)Convention (1792-1795)

On September 22, 1792, the On September 22, 1792, the ConventionConvention met for the first timemet for the first time

Established the First French RepublicEstablished the First French Republic Faced domestic opposition and strifeFaced domestic opposition and strife

– GirondistsGirondists were moderates who represented were moderates who represented the rich middle class of the provincesthe rich middle class of the provinces

– JacobinsJacobins (led by (led by MaratMarat, , DantonDanton, and , and RobespierreRobespierre) represented workers) represented workers

Faced opposition from abroadFaced opposition from abroad– Austria, England, Holland, Prussia, Sardinia, Austria, England, Holland, Prussia, Sardinia,

and Spain formed a Coalition invading Franceand Spain formed a Coalition invading France

Abolishment of the Abolishment of the MonarchyMonarchy

The Convention abolished the monarchyThe Convention abolished the monarchy– As long as the royal family lived, the As long as the royal family lived, the

monarchy could be restored monarchy could be restored – Put the royal couple on trial for treasonPut the royal couple on trial for treason

Convictions were a foregone conclusionConvictions were a foregone conclusion– Louis XVI Louis XVI was guillotined on January 21, was guillotined on January 21,

17931793– Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette was guillotined on October was guillotined on October

16, 179316, 1793– Daughter Daughter Marie-ThérèseMarie-Thérèse was allowed to go was allowed to go

to Vienna in 1795 to Vienna in 1795 She could not become queen because of Salic law, She could not become queen because of Salic law,

which did not allow females to succeed to the which did not allow females to succeed to the thronethrone

– Son Son Louis-CharlesLouis-Charles, a.k.a. Louis XVII (lived , a.k.a. Louis XVII (lived 1785-1795) was beaten and mistreated until 1785-1795) was beaten and mistreated until he died in prisonhe died in prison

The three most memorable Jacobins were Georges Danton, Maximilien Robespierre, and Jean-Paul Marat.

Because of a debilitating illness, Marat was eventually forced to work from home. He was assassinated (in the tub while taking a medicinal bath) by Charlotte Corday, a Girondist sympathizer, in July, 1793.

The Death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David

Growing Coalition against the Growing Coalition against the FrenchFrench

Convention drafted Frenchmen into the army Convention drafted Frenchmen into the army to defeat the foreign Coalitionto defeat the foreign Coalition– These troops were led by These troops were led by General CarnotGeneral Carnot– The people supported military operations The people supported military operations

because they did not want the country back because they did not want the country back under the Old Regimeunder the Old Regime

Rouget de LisleRouget de Lisle wrote the “ wrote the “MarseillaiseMarseillaise””– Became the French national anthemBecame the French national anthem– Inspired troops as they were led into battleInspired troops as they were led into battle

After two yearsAfter two years– Coalition was defeatedCoalition was defeated– France had gained, rather than lost, territoryFrance had gained, rather than lost, territory

Reign of Terror:Reign of Terror:September 5, 1793-July 27, September 5, 1793-July 27,

17941794 Despite military successes, the Despite military successes, the

Convention continued to face problems Convention continued to face problems domesticallydomestically

DantonDanton and his and his JacobinJacobin political party political party came to dominate French politicscame to dominate French politics

Committee of Public SafetyCommittee of Public Safety– Headed by Headed by DantonDanton (and later (and later RobespierreRobespierre))– Those accused of treason were tried by the Those accused of treason were tried by the

Committee’s Committee’s Revolutionary TribunalRevolutionary Tribunal– Approximately 15,000 people died on theApproximately 15,000 people died on the

guillotineguillotine GuillotineGuillotine became known as the “ became known as the “National RazorNational Razor”” Including innovative thinkers like Including innovative thinkers like Olympe de Olympe de

GougesGouges and and Madame Jeanne RolandMadame Jeanne Roland

Committee of Public SafetyCommittee of Public Safety

End of the Reign of TerrorEnd of the Reign of Terror Some Some GirondistGirondist members tried to end the members tried to end the Reign Reign

of Terrorof Terror initiated by the initiated by the JacobinJacobin political party political party– This opposition to the This opposition to the Committee of Public SafetyCommittee of Public Safety

caused many Girondists to be tried and executed for caused many Girondists to be tried and executed for treasontreason

Eventually, even Eventually, even DantonDanton wanted to end the wanted to end the executionsexecutions– This resulted in him being tried and executed for This resulted in him being tried and executed for

treasontreason RobespierreRobespierre became leader of the Committee of became leader of the Committee of

Public SafetyPublic Safety– He continued the executionsHe continued the executions– Convention came to blame Robespierre for the Reign Convention came to blame Robespierre for the Reign

of Terrorof Terror

Thermidorean ReactionThermidorean Reaction– July 27, 1794 – ended the Reign of TerrorJuly 27, 1794 – ended the Reign of Terror– Convention sent Robespierre and other members Convention sent Robespierre and other members

of the Committee of Public Safety to the guillotine of the Committee of Public Safety to the guillotine Robespierre was guillotined on July 28, 1794Robespierre was guillotined on July 28, 1794

Constitution of the Year III of Constitution of the Year III of the Republic (1795)the Republic (1795)

With the foreign invaders vanquished With the foreign invaders vanquished and the Reign of Terror at an end, the and the Reign of Terror at an end, the Convention was finally able to Convention was finally able to inaugurate its new constitutioninaugurate its new constitution

Constitution of the Year III of the Constitution of the Year III of the Republic (1795) created the Republic (1795) created the DirectoryDirectory

Government under the Government under the DirectoryDirectory

Other Parting ReformsOther Parting ReformsPassed by the ConventionPassed by the Convention

Directory (1795-1799)Directory (1795-1799)

Review QuestionsReview Questions