The French Revolution
Introduction
French Revolution (1789-1799) was a political and social upheaval. The
revolution resulted in the overthrow of the Bourbon monarchy and in
the foundation of the First French Republic. It was generated by lots of
causes, and the most important of which were the social inequality,
corrupt government, the influence of the Enlightenment and the
American Revolution. Recent scholarship tends to downplay the social
class struggle and emphasize political, cultural, ideological, and
personality factors in the advent and unfolding of the conflict.
Index
- Historical reasons for the Revolution - Open Rebellion - From monarchy to Republic - The Reign of Terror - The Napoleonic Regime - The Significance of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Era - Revision Exercise-
Historical reasons for the Revolution
There were a vast complex of reasons causing the
French Revolution, including internal problems, such
as the
and the
social inequality
inefficient
and the outside influence,
the
government and the
Enlightenment idea
. These were
success
theofmain
factors
for theRevolution
outbreak of the Revolution.
the
American
Social Inequality
Social Class of French Society before the Revolution
Social Inequality
Social Class of French Society before the Revolution
The Second Estate-- Nobility
Held the best positions in
the gover nm w nt and
ar m y. Exem pt fr om most
taxes. Pr ivileged Class.
Enjoy a luxur ious life.
Social Inequality
Social Class of French Society before the Revolution
The Third Estate– City
Workers and Peasants
Suffer ed the m ost fr om
Heavy Taxation
W or ker s w er e poor ly
pr id. Peasants suffer ed
m ost. They had a har d
lives.
Social Inequality
Social Class of French Society before the Revolution
King, the Bourbon Monarchy
Social Inequality
Social Class of French Society before the Revolution
The Third Estate -Bourgeoisie
Held no Political Pow er
though ver y w ealthy.
W ell- educated. Deeply
influenced by the
Enlightenment. W ant a
shar e in the r unning of
gover nment.
Social Inequality
Social Class of French Society before the Revolution
Th First Estate --Clergy
Unlimited r ights, lar gest
landow ner , exem pt fr om
m ost taxex. Pr ivileged
Class.
Inefficient Government
In the 17th century, France was the most
powerful country in Europe.
ruled as an absolute monarch.
Louis XIV
But his successors, Louis XV and Louis XVI,
were not capable rulers. Louis XVI was very
weak. He had no interest in politics. His
government was corrupt and inefficient.
- Louis XVI -
The financial situation in France was also extremely bad. Louis XIV and his
successors spent too much money on
. The luxurious life of
the kings
foreign
warsand
nobles made the country poorer. By 1789, the French Government was nearly
bankrupt.
Inefficient Government
In the 17th century, France was the most
powerful country in Europe. Louis XIV ruled as
an absolute monarch. But his successors,
Louis XV and Louis XVI, were not capable ruler
rulers. Louis XVI was very weak. He had no
interest in politics. His government was
corrupt and inefficient.
- Louis XVI -
The financial situation in France was also extremely bad. Louis XIV and his
successors spent too much money on foreign wars. The luxurious life of the kings
and nobles made the country poorer. By 1789, the French Government was nearly
bankrupt.
Inefficient Government
In the 17th century, France was the most
powerful country in Europe. Louis XIV ruled as
an absolute monarch. But his successors,
Louis XV and Louis XVI, were not capable ruler
rulers. Louis XVI was very weak. He had no
interest in politics. His government was
corrupt and inefficient.
- Louis XVI -
The financial situation in France was also extremely bad. Louis XIV and his
successors spent too much money on foreign wars. The luxurious life of the kings
and nobles made the country poorer. By 1789, the French Government was nearly
bankrupt.
Inefficient Government
In the 17th century, France was the most
powerful country in Europe. Louis XIV ruled as
an absolute monarch. But his successors,
Louis XV and Louis XVI, were not capable ruler
rulers. Louis XVI was very weak. He had no
interest in politics. His government was
corrupt and inefficient.
- Louis XVI -
The financial situation in France was also extremely bad. Louis XIV and his
successors spent too much money on foreign wars. The luxurious life of the kings
and nobles made the country poorer. By 1789, the French Government was nearly
bankrupt.
Inefficient Government
In the 17th century, France was the most
powerful country in Europe. Louis XIV ruled as
an absolute monarch. But his successors,
Louis XV and Louis XVI, were not capable ruler
rulers. Louis XVI was very weak. He had no
interest in politics. His government was
corrupt and inefficient.
- Louis XVI -
The financial situation in France was also extremely bad. Louis XIV and his
successors spent too much money on foreign wars. The luxurious life of the kings
and nobles made the country poorer. By 1789, the French Government was nearly
bankrupt.
The influence of the Enlightenment
During the 18th century, all major
European countries were influenced
by the Enlightenment. France was the
centre of the movement. The ideas of
French thinkers such as
,
and
were widespread.
Their writings
Rousseau
greatly influenced
Voltairethe
bourgeoisie
Montesquieu
and encouraged them to
rebel against tyranny.
- Voltaire -
The influence of the Enlightenment
During the 18th century, all major
European countries were influenced
by the Enlightenment. France was the
centre of the movement. The ideas of
French thinkers such as
,
and
were widespread.
Their writings greatly influenced
Voltaire the
bourgeoisie and encouraged
Rousseau
Montesquieu
them to
rebel against tyranny.
- Voltaire -
The influence of the Enlightenment
During the 18th century, all major
European countries were influenced
by the Enlightenment. France was the
centre of the movement. The ideas of
French thinkers such as
,
and
were widespread.
Their writings greatly influenced
Voltaire the
bourgeoisie and encouraged
Rousseau
Montesquieu
them to
rebel against tyranny.
- Voltaire -
The influence of the Enlightenment
During the 18th century, all major
European countries were influenced
by the Enlightenment. France was the
centre of the movement. The ideas of
French thinkers such as
,
and
were widespread.
Their writings greatly influenced
Voltaire the
bourgeoisie and encouraged
Rousseau
Montesquieu
them to
rebel against tyranny.
- Voltaire -
The Influence of the American Revolution
The success of the Americans in their War of
Independence set a good example for the French. It
showed that a government could actually be formed
by the people. It encouraged the French to fight for
their freedom. As a result, the French started their
revolution shortly after the birth of the United States.
Open Rebellion –The Estates General
Louis XVI wanted to raise money from his people. In May 1789, he called a
meeting of the Estates General which had not been held since 1614.
According to tradition, the three Estates were to meet in separated halls,
and each Estate could only have one vote. But the Third Estate demanded
that the three Estates should meet together and vote by head. The First and
Second Estates refused to do so. On 17 June, the Third Estate declared
National Assembly. The Estates General was destroyed.
The Tennis Court Oath
On 20 June, 1789, the members of the National
Assembly stood outside the meeting hall, soon after they
had found out that King Louis had cancelled the
royal session because his son died.Then after it started to
pour and drenched the Third Estate members, they
sought shelter in a nearby indoor tennis court .
Inside the tennis court, one of the main leaders Bailly,
voiced the ideas of Mounier, another leader that they
would not leave Versailles until there was a constitution
which they agreed on. Everyone accepted the oath. That
Oath was known as the Tennis Court Oath.
The Tennis Court Oath
On 20 June, 1789, the members of the National
Assembly stood outside the meeting hall, soon after they
had found out that King Louis had canceled the
royal session because his son died.Then after it started to
pour and drenching the Third Estate members, so they
sought shelter in a nearby indoor tennis court .
Inside the tennis court, one of the main leaders Bailly,
voiced the ideas of Mounier, another leader that they
would not leave Versailles until there was a constitution
which they agreed on. Everyone accepted the oath. That
Oath was known as the Tennis Court Oath.
The Storming of Bastille
At last, Louis XVI gave in and ordered the
other two Estates to join the National
Assembly. But he also planned to bring
in troops to dissolve it. Meanwhile, there
were many hungry and unemployed
people in Paris. When they heard about
the King’s intention, they attacked the
Bastille on 14 July. To the French, the fall
of Bastille marked the end of tyranny.
The French Revolution began.
People Marching to the
Bastille
The Storming of the
Bastille
The Storming of Bastille
At last, Louis XVI gave in ordered the
other two Estates to join the National
Assembly. But he also planning to bring
in troops to dissolve it. Meanwhile, there
were many hungry and unemployed
people in Paris. When they heard about
the King’s intention, they attacked the
on 14 July. To the French, the fall of
Bastille marked the end of tyranny. The
French Revolution began.
People Marching to the
Bastille
Bastille
The Storming of the
Bastille
The Declaration of the Rights of Man
The revolution soon spread throughout France. The National Assembly
passed laws to remove all the privileges of the clergy and the nobility. In
August 1789, they approved the ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man’. It
emphasized liberty, equality and fraternity. These inalienable rights
included participation, through chosen representatives, in the making of
laws; equality of all persons before the law; equitable taxation and the
freedom of religion, speech, and the press. It clearly reflected the ideas of
the Enlightenment thinkers.
From Monarchy to Republic
In September 1791, the National Assembly drew up a
constitution for France. It set out how the country was
to be ruled. It allowed Louis XVI to continue to be the
king, but not as an absolute monarch . Power would be
held by an assembly that was to be elected by the
people. France became a constitutional monarchy .
The National Assembly
The First French Republic
The Tricolour Revolutionary Flag was made up
of the blue, white and red colours which
represent liberty, equality and fraternity .
“ Can you hear the
shouts of the soldiers ?
Citizens, get your
weapons ! March
onwards, onwards ! Let
the poisoned blood of
our enemies soak into
our field. ”
In April 1792, France declared war on Austria and Prussia. Revolutionary Wars
Began. In September, a new assembly called the National Convention was elected.
It ended the monarchy in France. France was declared a republic. It was called the
First French Republic (1792-1804).
The First French Republic
“ Can you hear the shouts
of the soldiers ? Citizens,
get your weapons ! March
onwards, onwards ! Let the
poisoned blood of our
enemies soak into our
field. ”
The Tricolour Revolutionary Flag was made up
of the blue, white and red colours which
represent liberty, equality and fraternity .
During the Revolutionary Wars,
volunteers from Marseilles in the
south of France marched north to
fightand
thePrussia.
foreign Revolutionary
enemies. They sang
In April 1792, France declared war on Austria
above song on the way. Now, it
Wars Began. In September, a new assemblythe
called
the National Convention
has became the National song of
was elected. It ended the monarchy in France. France was declared a republic.
France.
It was called the First French Republic (1792-1804).
The Reign of Terror
- The cause of the Reign of Terror - What was the Reign of Terror ? -
- How did the Reign of Terror end ? -
The cause of the Reign of Terror
In 1793, Louis XVI was executed.
Almost all European countries
joined together to form the First
Coalition against France.As a result
of foreign invasion and internal
rebellion, the National Convention
set up the Committee of Public
Safety and the Revolutionary
Tribunal.
The execution of Louis
XVI
What was the Reign of Terror ?
In all of France, revolutionary tribunals and
commissions were responsible for the execution
of almost 17,000 individuals. All elements of the
opposition suffered from the terror. Of those
condemned by the revolutionary tribunals,
approximately 8 percent were nobles, 6 percent
were members of the clergy, 14 percent belonged
to the middle class, and 70 percent were workers
or peasants charged with draft dodging, desertion,
hoarding, rebellion, and various other crimes.
Guillotine, a machine used to behead
people who were suspected of being
against the revolution.
How did the Reign of Terror end ?
The radical revolutionary leader
of the Committee of Public Safety
Robespierre was executed in
1794.
The Directory was set up in
1795
The Reign of
Terror ended.
Robespierre
The cause of the Reign of Terror
In 1793, Louis XVI was executed.
Almost all European countries
joined together to form the First
Coalition against France.As a result
of foreign invasion and internal
rebellion, the National Convention
set up the Committee of Public
Safety and the Revolutionary
Tribunal.
King Louis XVI was
brought to trial on
December 11, 1792.
The execution of Louis
XVI
How did the Reign of Terror end ?
The radical revolutionary leader
of the Committee of Public safety
Robespierre was executed in
1794
The Directory was set up in
1795
The Reign of
Terror ended.
Robespierre
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
1785
1769
1796 1799
Napoleon Bonaparte
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
Napoleonic Empire in 1812
French Empire
Dependent State
The Napoleonic Regime
French Allies
The life of
1785
1769
1796 1799
Napoleon Bonaparte
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
Born on
August 15,
1769, in
Ajaccio,
Corsica
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1785 Jointed the army
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1796
Married
Josephine
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1799 Ended the
Directory
and set up a new
government , the
. He
became
the First Consul and held great
Consulate
power.
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1804 Became the Emperor
of France
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1805 Defeated the Third
Coalition.Napoleonic Wars started
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1806 Introduced the
Continental System.(In order
to stop European countries
under his control from
trading with Britain.)
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1808 Controlled almost the whole of
Europe.
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
1785
1769
1796 1799
Napoleon Bonaparte
1809 Divorced Josephine and
married Marie Louise, daughter
of the Austrian emperor
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1812 Suffered great loss in the
Russian Campaign.
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1813 Lost the Peninsular War to Spain
and Portugal and the Battle of Nations
(The Fourth Coalition). Exiled to the
island of Elba
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1814 Napoleon escaped back to
France and returned to power.
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1815 Napoleon was
defeated by Britain and
Prussia at the Battle of
Waterloo. He was
exiled to an island.
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1821 Napoleon died at the island of
St.Helena.
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
Napoleonic Code
* protected personal property
* abolished class divisions and
feudal privileges
* made every man equal before
the law
* gave every citizen the freedom
to choose his religion and job
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1799 Ended the
Directory
and set up a new
government , the Consulate. He became
the First Consul and held great power
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
The Napoleonic Regime
The life of
Napoleon Bonaparte
1799 Ended the
Directory
and set up a new
government , the Consulate. He became
the First Consul and held great power
1785
1769
1796 1799
1805
1804
1809
1806
1808
1813
1812
1814
1815
1821
Significance of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic
Era
Congress of
Vienna (18141815)
Unification of Italy
(1859-1870)
Revolutions of
1830
Liberalism
19th-Century
world
Nationalism
American Civil
War (18611865)
Revolutions of
1848
Unification of
Germany (18641871)
Independence
movements in Latin
America (18101865)
Significance of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic
Era
Congress of
Vienna (18141815)
Unification of Italy
(1859-1870)
Revolution of
Congress
1830 of Vienna Revolution of
The Congress of Vienna1848
was held
afterLiberalism
the fall of Napoleon. But it
could not stop the spread of
Unification of
19th-Century
liberalism
and nationalism. Many
Germany (1864world
revolutions
broke out in 19th1871)
century Europe.
Nationalism
American Civil
War (18611865)
Independence
movements in Latin
America (18101865)
Significance of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic
Era
Congress of
Vienna (18141815)
Revolution of
1830
Revolution of
1848
Liberalism
Liberalism and Nationalism
Unification
of
The
French Revolution
gave birth of the
Germany
(1864-and Nationalism
ideas
of Liberalism
1871)emphasized freedom and the
which
Nationalism
nation-ruling of people. The Europeans
were deeply influenced by these two
American Civil
Independence
ideas.
Unification of Italy
(1859-1870)
War (18611865)
19th-Century
world
movements in Latin
America (18101865)
Significance of the Revolutionary and Napoleonic
Era
Revolution of
1830
Congress of
Independence
movements in Latin
Vienna (1814America
1815)
Liberalism
Revolution of
1848
Although Spain tried to isolate its Latin
Unification of
19th-Century
Unification
of
Italy
American colonies from the winds of
Germany (1864world
(1859-1870)
reform circulating in Europe and the
1871)
United States, word of the French
and
Nationalism
American revolutions inspired Latin
Independence
Americans toAmerican
seek theirCivil
own
movements in Latin
independence.War (1861-
1865)
America (18101865)
Revision
A Multiple Choice Question
1. Which of the following did not
belong to the Third Estate in
medieval Europe ?
A . The serfs
C . The bourgeoisie
B . The priests
D . The workers
Revision
A Multiple Choice Question
1. Which of the following did not belong to the Third
Estate in medieval Europe ?
Totally Correct !
A . The serfs
C . The bourgeoisie
B . The priests
D . The workers
Revision
A Multiple Choice Question
Oops! The answer should be “B. The
1. Whichas
of the
following
did not belong
Third
priest”
Priests
belonged
to tothetheFirst
Estate in medieval Europe ?
Estate
A . The serfs
C . The bourgeoisie
B . The priests
D . The workers
2. The three colours of the Tricolour
shown from the left to the right are …
A . Red, white, blue
B . White, red, blue
C . Blue, red, white
D . Blue, white, red
2. The three colours of the Tricolour
shown from the left to the right are …
A . Red, white, blue
B . White, red, blue
Exactly !
C . Blue, red, white
D . Blue, white, red
2. The three colours of the Tricolour
shown from the left to the right are …
A . Red, white, blue
B . White,
blue
The
rightred,answer
. Blue, red, white
isCD.
D . Blue, white, red
3. Robespierre was the leader of the …
A . Directory
B . National Guard
C . Consulate
D . Committee of the Public Safety
3. Robespierre was the leader of the …
A . Directory
B . National Guard
C . Consulate
D . Committee of the Public Safety
How clever you
are !
3. Robespierre was the leader of the …
A . Directory
B . National Guard
C . Consulate
D . Committee of the Public Safety
Sorry ! The answer
is D.
4. The king who ruled France before the
1789 Revolution was …
A . Louis XVI
B . Marie Antoinette
C . Napoleon Bonaparte
D . Charles I
4. The king who ruled France before the
1789 Revolution was …
A . Louis XVI
B . Marie Antoinette
C . Napoleon Bonaparte
D . Charles I
That’s right !
4. The king who ruled France before the
1789 Revolution was …
A . Louis XVI
B . Marie Antoinette
C . Napoleon Bonaparte
D . Charles I
I think answer A is
more suitable.
5. When the Third Estate found that
their meeting hall was locked by
Louis XVI, then they …
A . Damaged the palace and went
away angrily
B . Shouted loudly
C . Knocked the door violently
D . Moved to an indoor tennis court
5. When the Third Estate found that
their meeting hall was locked by
Louis XVI, then they …
A . Damaged the palace and went
away angrily
100 % Correct
B . Shouted loudly
C . Knocked the door violently
D . Moved to an indoor tennis court
5. When the Third Estate found that
their meeting hall was locked by
Louis XVI, then they …
A . Damaged the palace and went
away angrily
It should be D.
B . Shouted loudly
C . Knocked the door violently
D . Moved to an indoor tennis court
6. The Revolutionary Tribunal was used
to …
A . Kill Louis XVI and other nobles
B . Execute people who were suspected of
being against the Revolution
C . Help other European countries to
start the revolution
D . Execute people for fun
6. The Revolutionary Tribunal was used
to …
A . Kill Louis XVI and other nobles
B . Execute people who were suspected of
being against the Revolution
C . Help other European countries to
start the revolution
D . Execute people for fun
Intelligent !
6. The Revolutionary Tribunal was used
to …
A . Kill Louis XVI and other nobles
B . Execute people who were suspected of
being against the Revolution
C . Help other European countries to
start the revolution
D . Execute people for fun
D is the most accurate answer
7. The Reign of Terror started because
A . Of foreign invasion and internal
rebellion
B . The death of Louis XVI
C . The Directory was corrupt and
inefficient
D . The government wanted to kill
people as the population grew rapidly
7. The Reign of Terror started because
A . Of foreign invasion and internal
rebellion
Exactly Correct !
B . The death of Louis XVI
C . The Directory was corrupt and
inefficient
D . The government wanted to kill
people as the population grew rapidly
7. The Reign of Terror started because
A . Of foreign invasion and internal
rebellion
B . The death of Louis XVI
C . The Directory was corrupt and
inefficient
D . The government wanted to kill
people as the population grew rapidly
The answer is A.
8. Where was Napoleon born ?
A . St. Helena
B . France
C . Corsica
D . Russia
8. Where was Napoleon born ?
A . St. Helena
B . France
C . Corsica
D . Russia
It’s too easy for you.
8. Where was Napoleon born ?
A . St. Helena
B . France
C . Corsica
D . Russia
Oops ! The answer should be
C.
9. Napoleon won in the
A . Peninsular War
B . Russian Campaign
C . Battle of Waterloo
D . Battle of Austerlitz
9. Napoleon won in the
A . Peninsular War
B . Russian Campaign
C . Battle of Waterloo
D . Battle of Austerlitz
Perfect !
9. Napoleon won in the
A . Peninsular War
B . Russian Campaign
C . Battle of Waterloo
D . Battle of Austerlitz
The answer is D.
10. The First French Empire was
formed by
A . Louis XVI
B . Napoleon
C . John Locke
D . The Third Estate
10. The First French Empire was
formed by
A . Louis XVI
B . Napoleon
C . John Locke
D . The Third Estate
Exactly ! !
10. The First French Empire was
formed by
A . Louis XVI
B . Napoleon
C . John Locke
D . The Third Estate
I think the answer should be
B.
Links
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Revision Exercise and the selfstudying course of the French
Revolution. Is it easy to you?.
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of stories about the Revolution
that you can find in the Internet.
If you are interested in this topic,
or you want a further reading, we
have some web sites provided to
you as follow. Hope you enjoy
the journey in the tale of History.
Saint Just and Robespierre
story of the French Revolution.
The Guillotine
includes a history, construction
information, a gallery of pictures
and biographies of people
related to the guillotine.
Napoleon Series
dedicated to the study of Napoleon
Bonaparte and his times. It is a place
where people interested in Napoleonic
history can meet to exchange ideas and
knowledge or just to talk about their
favorite subject.
Group Members