THE FRENCH
REVOLUTION
1789-1794
The Enlightenment and Revolutions
I.
The American Revolution, 1776-1781
- Claiming abuses by the British Government and a general failure
to safeguard the natural rights of the citizens, the American
Colonies declare their independence from England.
- Thomas Jefferson authors the Declaration of Independence,
drawing heavily on the writings of John Locke and the ideals of
the Social Contract as theorized by Rousseau and Hobbes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Government must be created by the People
The people must consent to be governed
The primary job of the Government is to protect the people’s natural
rights- Life, Liberty, and “The Pursuit of Happiness”
When a Government fails to protect these rights, then the people have
the right to change their government, to overthrow it.
The Enlightenment and Revolutions
John Locke
Thomas Jefferson
The Enlightenment and Revolutions
John Locke
Thomas Jefferson
“Darn, I looked better in the last picture”, J. Locke
The Enlightenment and Revolutions

Following the American Revolution, the Americans
again embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment in
the writing of their Constitution. James Madison
heavily borrowed from the ideals of Montisquieu.

Separation of Powers, and Checks and Balances make up
the heart of the U.S. Constitution
The Enlightenment and Revolutions
The American Revolution and French Involvement:
America’s war for independence was successful in part due
to the assistance of the French government. One of the
most influential French military assistants was Lafayette.
*In 1777, Lafayette purchased a ship, and with a crew of
adventurers set sail for America to fight in the revolution
against the British. Lafayette joined the ranks as a major
general and was assigned to the staff of George Washington. He
served with distinction, leading America forces to several
victories. On a return visit to France in 1779 Lafayette
persuaded the French government to send aid to the Americans,
specifically the commitment of the French Navy, and monetary
support.
Connections between the American Revolution and
the French Revolution
Not only did French Citizens and Military directly
participate in the American War for Independence, but
the war itself, the ideals upon which it was based, and the
eventual success served as inspiration for many of the
French Citizens who had become disenchanted with their
own government, especially King Louis XVI
Another impact of the American Revolution was the
additional Debt incurred by the French Government in
assisting the Americans against the British, further
pushing France into Financial Crisis.
THE FRENCH REVOLUTION
Understand the following:
1. The collision of social unrest and new political ideas can lead to revolution.
2. In times of crisis, people will turn to strong leaders to gain a sense of stability.
3. New ideas and inventions create progress, but this can be accompanied by
problems.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Any questions from last two nights’ homework?
In packet review p 2 with your group – any questions?
Complete p 3 part B.
Read p 5 and answer reading comprehension questions p 6
Complete p 7 part A (do NOT do 1-6 on the bottom half.)
Complete p 8 through 11.
Beginning of Revolution
On the eve of evolution
The Old RegimeFrance was still operating on an archaic social and political
system developed during the middle ages.
*The French people were in one of 3 categories, or Estates,
especially important in terms of wealth and the payment of
taxes.
*These Estates came under great pressure as France’s
economy crumbled, and the Government ran out of money.
The Old Regime, best represented by the absolutism of Louis
XIV (14th) required strong leadership.
** BUT Louis XVI (16th) was weak, pampered, uninterested
and indecisive
I.
A. The First Estate (The Clergy)-
The Church formed this estate.
1. Owned 10% of the Land
2. Collected Tithes
3. Paid No Taxes
4. Bishops and Abbots
5. Run Social Services (Schools, etc)
6. Despise and reject the teachings of the Enlightenment
~The Wealthiest Estate
The Second Estate-
Made up of Rich Nobles. 2% of the Population, but controlled 25%
of the land. Paid very little in taxes.
1. Top Jobs in Government, Army, Courts, and Local
Churches.
2. Owned a lot of land, but had little actual income except from
feudal fees paid by peasants – some became very successful
businessmen as well.
3. Resent Royal Absolutism
~ Fear and resist paying Taxes
Third Estate
The Majority of the People. This Estate was made up of 98
percent of the People of France. 29 Million People.
1. Bourgeoisie – “Middle Class”- Bankers and
Merchants, Lawyers, Doctors, etc.
2. Peasants- 9 of 10 People
3. City Workers- The Poorest of the Poor.
- many of these people were unpaid yet still taxed.
~
This Estate paid the Heaviest Taxes. The Bourgeoisie
adopted the ideas of the Enlightenment and the others
resented the 1st and 2nd estates. They were ready for change.
II. Financial Crisis
A)
B)
C)
C)
D)
Deficit Spending- A Government Spending more than it makes.
Louis XIV (14th) made a huge debt- France had to actually
borrow money from other countries.
Louis XVI, with Marie Antoinette, ran up the debt further on
lavish royal stuff, and to pay for war against England
(American Revolution)
To solve problem- Proposal is to raise taxes, but on whom?
Crumbling Economy1) Economic Decline of 1770’s
2) Foreign Wars Costly ~ More Debt
3) Bad Harvests of 1780’s – the price of bread, the main
food skyrockets to unattainable levels.
-Hunger = Riots, manor houses attacked
Kings Louis XIV, XV, XVI
Kings Louis XIV, XV, XVI
Kings Louis XIV, XV, XVI
…from the “Ode to King Louis (14, 15, 16…)”
Louie Louie, oh no
Me gotta go
Aye-yi-yi-yi,
I said
Louie Louie, oh baby
Me gotta go

Financial Crisis, Cont.
E.
Failure of Reforms
1.
2.
Louis XV (15)- More Debt
Louis XVI (16)- Spiraling Debt out of control.
-Financing the American Revolution becomes the “straw
that breaks the camel’s back”
-Decides that financial reforms are necessary, hires Jacques
Necker as advisor.
- Necker was competent and skilled in finance
-Necker proposes reductions in spending and tariffs
-Also proposes Tax on the 1st and 2nd Estates~ They
call for him to be fired
Jacques Necker
…tax the rich, its okay, really…
III. The King Takes Action
A)
B)
C)
Riots and Protests, and the demands of the 2nd Estate, force the King
to call the Estates General to Versailles.
The Cahiers (List of Grievances)
1)
Reforms, specifically in Taxes and Free Press
2)
Class Resentment
The National Assembly forms and the Tennis Court Oath1.
Only Property Owning members of the 3rd Estate Could Vote in
the 3rd Estate
2.
Focus on Financial fix and social reform
3.
Demanded that Each Vote count, no more block voting
4.
After weeks of Debate, they name themselves the National
Assembly, and claim that they represent the People, and the
People should form the Government and Laws.
National Assembly, Cont.
4. The National Assembly is locked out of the Estates
General
~ They take the Tennis Court Oath- and vow to stay together
until they develop a Constitution for France.
5. Reform minded Nobles and Clergy join the National Assembly.
6. Louis XVI (16) Accepts- Gathers Troops, orders them to
dissolve the National Assembly. Doesn’t happen.
7. Louis 16 Hires/ Fires Necker
- during this time there are more food shortages and
mounting tension
IV. Storming of the Bastille
A.
B.
C.
The Bastille was a fort and prison holding political
prisoners, and it also served as storage for weapons and
black powder.
Crowd Demands Weapons and Powder- Commander of the
Bastille opens fire on the crowd
The People storm the Bastille, break in and kill the
commander. Free only 5 Prisoners, but becomes the
symbol of the start of the revolution and a strike on
Tyranny.
~July 14th is “Bastille Day”, the French equivalent of our
“Independence Day”
Storming of The Bastille
Creating a new France
Revolts in Paris and Provinces
I.
-
Terrible Famine and massive unemployment
A. The Great Fear
1.
Rumors, caused by Famine and Fear
(attacks by marauders)
2.
Peasants attack Nobles- anger
B. Paris in Arms
1.
Various Groups try for Power
* Moderates
~Lafayette-leader
~National Guard- Fight Royal Troops
~Tri-Color
* Paris Commune (Radical)
~Demand end to monarchy
~Violent
~Spread Royal Rumors
II.
A)
End to special privilege - August 4, 1789
1)
B)
Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity
N.A. Nobles Vote to give up Privileges
Declaration of the Rights of Man
1. Modeled after U.S. Declaration of Independence
2. Government must protect people’s natural rights
3. All males are equal
4. People still starving
III. Women March on Versailles
~Paris to Versailles- Women want Bread
A) The Mob wants to “Wring ‘Her’ Neck”
1. They hate Queen- Extravagant
- Accused of Immorality
2. “Let them Eat Cake”- never said it- untrue
3. Demand that King goes to Paris
B) A Triumphant Procession
1. Louis XVI forced to wear the Tri-Color
2. Royal family moves to Tuileries Palace- “House Arrest”
“Let’s Get Her”
“Ms. Marie Antoinette, are you home, do you
want to come out and play?”
The French “Tri-Color”
IV. A TIME FOR REFORM
~National Assembly
A)
Goes to Paris
Reorganizing the Church
1. National Assembly- took over church, sells
church land.
2. Civil Constitution of the Clergy- Ends Papal
Authority.
3. Priests Refuse
4. Causes problem with Peasants and people in
parishes-Church played important role in
their lives
A Republican Constitution
B)
Written Constitution
1. Wrote Constitution of 1791
- Limited Monarchy
- Legislative Assembly (Laws/Taxes/War)
- All males have right to vote
- Provinces become 83 departments
- Privilege Propose free trade
- No unions allowed
C. The Fateful Flight
1. Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, and son make a run for
it disguised
3. Former soldier recognizes the royal family
4. Brought back to Paris and treated as a traitor
V. Reaction Outside of France
A.
Widespread Fears
1. Increase Boarder Patrols
2. Told Horror stories by Emigres- nobles/clergy/
others who fled.
3. Edmund Burke- Predicted Violence
B.
Threats from Abroad
1. King of Prussia/ Emperor of Austria
2. Declaration of Pilnitz- intervene to protect the
Royal Family
VI. War at Home and Abroad
-
A.
B.
Legislative assembly dissolves
The Sans-Culottes
- Working Class People- Make revolution more radical
1. Supported by the “Jacobins”- revolutionary political clubuse newspapers to their advantage
Revolutionary Groups
- From Right to Left
1. Right of the Leg. Assembly- Reforms were enough,
Conservatives
2. Center- Moderates
3. Left- Jacobins- Get rid of Monarchs- Radical
War on Tyranny
1. Leftists Gain Advantage
2. L.A. Declares War on Austria, Prussia, Britain
~ all expect easy victory over “messed up”
country.
Stages of the Revolution
1st Stage- 1789- 1792:
National Assembly
Storming the Bastille
Tennis Court Oath
Declaration of the Rights of Man
New Constitution
Limited Monarchy
Great Fear
Legislative Assembly
Stages of the Revolution
Stage 2- 1792-1794:
Execution of the King and Queen
Committee of Public Safety
Robespierre
Reign of Terror
Republic *
Execution of Robespierre
Radical days
I.
“Downfall of the Monarchy”
a. Outbreak of Violence
1. August 10, 1792- King’s guards slaughtered
2. Political Prisoners Killed
“September Massacres”
~Patriots or Savages
b. French Republic
1. Radicals form the “National Convention”
2. Suffrage- Right to vote for all males
3. Abolished Nobility – “Titles”
4. All people were to be called “Citizen”
Radical days (cont.)
C. Death of a King and Queen
1. Louis XVI convicted of Treason
2. King and Queen were beheaded
II.
The Convention under seige
~Declared war on those that they feared would support the
monarchy- Eng.,Esp., Ned., Prussia
~Jacobins v. Girondins in Convention
A)Committee of Public Safety
1.Deal with Threats to France
2.12 Men – Prepare France for War
3. Armies invade Netherlands and Italy
4. Crush the Peasant Revolt
Louis loses it!
Maximilien Robespierre
Robespierre
B.
C.
Maximillien Robespierre (Jacobin)
1. Lawyer- Leader of the Committee of Public Safety
2. Religious Tolerance
3. Popular with Sans-Culottes, Hates the Old Regime
Reign of Terror ~ July 7, 1793 – 1794
1. Organized by Robespierre
2. Hasty Trials- 40,000 Die
3. Mistaken ID/ False Accusations
4. Dr. Guillotin- Argues the “Axe is not accurate”
5. Convention Eliminates C.P.S ~ Robespierre is Beheaded
Dr. Guillotine and his Invention
Max, have you lost your head?
III. Reaction and the Directory
Moderates write Constitution of 1795
B.
The Directory is set up – 1795-1799
1. Dictatorial but weak
2. Suppress Bread Riots
3. Use Napoleon Bonaparte- Popular Military Hero
IV. Women in the Revolution
1. Rights
~ Olympe De Gouges- Declaration of the Rights of
Women
2. Setbacks
~ National Convention- Banned Women’s Political Clubs
A.
V. Changes in Daily Life
~ 10 years of major changes
A) Nationalism- an aggressive feeling of pride and devotion to
ones country
“La Marsillaise”- French National Anthem
B)
Social Reform
1.
Mandatory Elementary Education- State Run
2. Care for Poor, Old Soldiers, Old Widows
3. No Slavery in Colonies
4. Non Religious Calendar - 1793 was year 1
C)
Arts1. Grand- Classical- Rome
“Governments” of the Revolution
1789-1815
Monarchy~ King Louis XVI
National Assembly
Legislative Assembly
National Convention
Committee of Public Safety
Robespierre
The Directory
Napoleon
King Louis XVIII
Napoleon (100 Days)