The French RevolutionThe French Revolution

Chapter 7 sec. 1 & 2

The French Revolution Begins

Economic and social inequalities in the Old Regime help cause the French Revolution.

The Old Order

The Old Regime – social and political system in France during the 1770s.

Estates – three social classes of France’s Old Regime

The First Estate

Catholic Clergy

- Owned 10% of land

- Paid few taxes

Second Estate

Rich Nobles

2% of the population

Owned 20% of the land

Third Estate

97% of the people are peasants, urban workers, middle class

Have few privileges, pay heavy taxes, want change

Forces of ChangeEnlightenment Ideas- Individual Rights, DemocracyEconomic 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 National Assembly – new legislature to make reforms.

- Tennis Court Oath – delegates decide to write new constitution for France.

Tennis Court OathA 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- Great Fear – 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

“Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”

More Reforms

A State-controlled Church- Assembly seizes church lands, turns clergy

into public officials- This action concerns many peasants who are

devout CatholicsLouis 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- Emigres – nobles who flee country, want Old

Regime back in power- Sans-culottes – lower class who want more

changes from the Revolution

Sans-culottes

War and ExecutionProblems 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 ControlJacobins – radical political

organization behind governmental changes

After a close vote Louis XVI is found guilty of treason and beheaded

Guillotine – 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 ControlMaximilien Robespierre – Jacobin leader rule France for

a year

Become leader of the Committee for Public Safety, a dictator

Reign of Terror – 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