Unit 4: Revolutions
Lesson 2
French Revolution
What I need to know

How Enlightenment philosophers impacted the development of political and societal
trends.

The variety of opinions demonstrated by Enlightenment philosophy about the most
effective structure for government and society.

The role of absolutism as a challenge to the new political thought of the Enlightenment.

The democratic ideals discussed by Enlightenment philosophers and the impact Western
culture.

The shift from government power being absolute and from God to it being derived from
the common man and the varying perspectives on this during the Enlightenment.

The impact that literature and art had in revolutionizing society in Western countries.
Objectives

People around the world are rebelling against their governments as a
result of societal and economic inequalities.
1.

2. Growing class divisions led to conflict as people rebelled against
their government.

3. Views of the role and requirements of citizens were challenged
through various revolutions in Europe and its colonies.

4. Government exploitation by European powers through taxation and
economic inequalities inspired revolution.

5. Cultural division between upper and lower classes in Europe and its
colonies incited rebellion against established government.
Guiding Questions

What political and social theories from the Enlightenment influenced the American
and French Revolutions?

H.2.1-How were French revolutionaries influenced by the democratic ideals of the
American Revolution?

C&G.1.3-Should all citizens have equal rights regardless of economic or educational
background?

C&G.1.3-Do greater individual freedoms result in a more stable system of
government?

E.1.2-How does scarcity of resources affect relationships between various groups of
people?

E.1.2-How do economic disparities result in political unrest and revolution?

How did the French social hierarchy contribute to the division and eventual
breakdown of French society?
What led to it

Enlightenment

Caste system of society

Wars and the assistance of American revolution
leads to debt

Poor harvest of grain

Increased taxation with the wealthy exempt
Reasons for revolt
 Increased
taxation with the exemption of
the rich
 Louis
 Poor
XVI rise to king and dismissal of court
harvest and increased grain prices
leads to bread revolts
Timeline of Events

1775- Bread riots

1778- France becomes involved in American revolution

1781- Book published criticizing the government and garnishes
interest with the public

1887- Louis dismisses all notables who were assisting him in fiscal
reform. Dissolves all assemblies. Request for loans are presented
which louis rejects

1789: Re’veillon Riots- Due to food shortage and low wages- troops kill
25

1789- Estates-General meet for first time since 1614- third estate
(commoners) begins to meet independently and declares itself the
National Assembly- Tennis court Oath taken –Lafayette appointed the
commander of the national guard

July 1789- Beginning of the great fear. Peasant revolt against
feudalism
Timeline of Events

1789- August: Surrender of feudal rights- Declaration of Rights
of man

Sept. Louis refuses to sign rights

Oct. outbreak of mob

1790- Parliament is abolished

1791- Day of daggers

Aug. slave revolts

Sept. Constitution is accepted by the king

1792: Food Riots – March Guillotine is official means of
execution. Aug. Revolutionary commune upraises. Storming of
the palace. Louis is arrested. Convention summoned. Sept.
massacres of all prisoners. Legislative Assembly falls
Timeline of Events

1793: Revolution against the new order of Jacobins.

Sept. Reign of terror begins . Oct. King and queen are executed. Few men
elected to govern all and “clean house” of the trouble makers. Man
named Robespierre takes over and kicks out the others. Becomes a
dictator. Creates a huge inflation problem and executes any who talks
against him. Eventually a Coup’ over takes him and he is executed as
well.

1794- Lots of people killed – White terror beings- reason against Jacobins.
Nov. they dissolve

1795: convention and constitution is created and crumbles again

1797: Coup against the gov’t and treaty signed

1798: France claims a republic

1799: Another coup against the government

1799: Napoleon arrives as leader and constitution formed
Outcome of the war

At face value, it seems like a total loss. Went
from an absolute monarch to a dictator

But it actually unified France

Destroyed feudalism and caste systems

Created a more democratic government with a
system of elections

Created a sense of nationalism

Expansion and increased power of France due to
Napoleon and increased colonization globally
which pulled France out of debt.
Important People

King Louis XIV: King of France who refused to keep his promises and was
ultimately killed by his people during the revolution

Marie Antoinette: Wife of King Louis who was hated, captured, and killed
by the people during the revolution. Became the figure head for
extravagant spending and lack of care for the Common man. “Let them
eat cake”

Robespierre: Became the leader after the overthrow of the King. He was
the leader of the radical Jacobins who ultimately became a dictator and
was other thrown by the people.

Jacobins: Radical political group who originally formed to create a
constitutional monarchy. Made up of working class men. They are the
group from which the reign of terror originated and was enacted through.
Created a strong and powerful government.

Napoleon Bonaparte: Became King after the overthrow of Robespierre.
Ultimately ended the French Revolution. After the Coup’ he dubbed
himself King. Skilled military enforcer in which he was able to expand
France’s power.
Review: Guiding Questions

What political and social theories from the Enlightenment influenced the
American and French Revolutions?

H.2.1-How were French revolutionaries influenced by the democratic ideals of
the American Revolution?

C&G.1.3-Should all citizens have equal rights regardless of economic or
educational background?

C&G.1.3-Do greater individual freedoms result in a more stable system of
government?

E.1.2-How does scarcity of resources affect relationships between various groups
of people?

E.1.2-How do economic disparities result in political unrest and revolution?

How did the French social hierarchy contribute to the division and eventual
breakdown of French society?