The French Revolution
Chapter 7 sec. 1 & 2
Learning targets:
I can: Explain the causes of the French Revolution
I can: Draw connections between the enlightenment thinkers and their ideas and
the French Revolution.
I can: Describe the government of France after the French Revolution.
The French Revolution Begins
Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime help cause the French
Revolution.
____________________ – social and political system in France during the 1770s.
____________________ – three social classes of France’s Old Regime
 ____________________________
Catholic Clergy
-
Owned 10% of land
-
Paid few taxes
 ____________________________
Rich Nobles
2% of the population
Owned 20% of the land
 ______________________________
- 97% of the people are peasants, urban workers, middle class
- Have few privileges, pay ________________________, want change
- Forces of Change
Enlightenment Ideas
-
Individual Rights, Democracy
-
Voltaire - _____________________________________
-
Rousseau – ____________________________________
Economic Troubles
-
High Taxes and rising costs damage the economy
-
King Louis XVI and his wife Marie Antoinette known for extravagance,
gambling, and overspending.
-
Louis doubles Nation’s debt, banks refuse to lend more money.
 Forces of Change
A Weak Leader
-
Louis’s poor decision and lack of patience add to France’s problems
-
He calls Estates-General – meeting of representatives from all three estates.
 Dawn of the Revolution
The National Assembly
-
Third Estate has little power under old rules
-
Third Estate sets up __________________________ – new legislature to make
reforms.
-
________________________ – delegates decide to write new constitution for
France.
Tennis Court Oath
A pledge made by the National Assembly vowing to continue meeting until they had
drawn up a new constitution.
Storming the Bastille
Rumors fly in Paris that Louis wants to destroy the national assembly.
Mob attacks and seizes the Bastille, killing guards on July 14, 1789.
 Storming the Bastille
 A Great Fear Sweeps France
Rebellion
-
rumors and panic spread through France
-
_____________________ – attacks by peasants taking place across France
-
October 1789, Bread Revolts – women revolt over rising price of bread.
-
They demand action, forcing Louis to return from Versailles to Paris
 Revolution Brings Reform and Terror
 The revolutionary government of France makes reforms makes reforms but also
uses terror and violence to retain power
 The Assembly Reforms France
Declaration of The Rights of Man
-
National Assembly adopts Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen
-
Revolutionary leaders use the slogan “_______________________,
____________________, __________________________”
A State-controlled Church
-
Assembly seizes church lands, turns clergy into public officials
-
This action concerns many peasants who are devout Catholics
Louis tries to escape
- Worried for his life Louis tries to escape but the royal family is captured by the
Netherlands border.
 Divisions Develop in Government
Factions Split France
-
Major problems including debt, food shortages remain
-
Assembly splits into Radicals, Conservatives, and Moderates
-
__________________– nobles who flee country, want Old Regime back in power
-
____________________ – lower class who want more changes from the
Revolution
Problems with Other Countries
-
Austria and Prussia support Louis, France declares war.
-
Prussian forces soon threaten Paris
-
Parisian mod jails royal family and kill guards
-
Mob breaks into prisons, killing over 1000, including many who support Louis
-
Pressured by mob Legislative assembly dissolves monarchy
-
National Convention takes office forming French republic.
 Jacobins take Control
__________________________ – radical political organization behind governmental
changes
After a close vote Louis XVI is found guilty of treason and beheaded
_________________________ – machine designed during the Revolution to behead
people.
 The War Continues
 The French Army wins great victories over Prussia and Austria
 In 1793 Britain, Spain, and Holland join forces against France
 National Convention orders draft of 300,000 to reinforce army
 Robespierre Assumes Control
____________________________ – Jacobin leader rule France for a year
Become leader of the Committee for Public Safety, a dictator
_____________________ – Robespierre’s rule, which includes killing many opponents
Thousands die during the terror, including former allies and Marie Antoinette
85% of those who die during the terror are middle or lower class.
 Maximilien Robespierre
 End of the Terror
 Another change in government
 Robespierre arrested and executed
 Terror results in public opinion shifting away from Radicals
 Moderate leaders write a new constitution
 Two-house legislature and Five-man Directory restore order
 New Government makes Napoleon Bonaparte commander of armies