French Revolution

Long Range Reasons1. Fr still Feudal society2. Enlightenment3. Scientific Rev4. Cost of food5. American Rev

Short Range Reasons1. Louis’ spending2. Queens’ gambling 1 mil

a year3. Collapse of all govt.

finances

Roots of French revolution

The following slides describe the difficulties of “classes” in France.

There were 3 “Estates” (classes) in France.

Roots of French revolution

1st Estate aka ClergyLess than 1% of popExempt from natl. French tax

Roots of French revolution

2nd Estate aka Govt. officialsLess than 2% of popExempt from Fr natl tax

Roots of French revolution

3rd Estate aka Common Folk97% of pop

◦ 80% peasants; 17% middle class Includes BourgeoisiePaid almost 100% of Fr taxes

Roots of French revolution

3rd Estate the BourgeoisieDoctors; lawyers; merchantsNo voice in govtWanted higher social status

3rd Estate PeasantsPaid fees to use: mills, ovens,

wine press½ salary went to fees, tithes

Roots of the French Revolution

Roots of the French Revolution

Louis needs moneyWants to tax the 1st/2nd estatesCalls 3 estates to Versailles Called meeting of Estates

General◦ first time called in 175 years

Meeting of Estates General

May 5, 17891st/2nd estates have 300 each3rd have 600 totalBut only 1 vote for each estate

(total of 3 votes only)Basically 3rd estate screwed

Meeting of Estates General

3rd estate makes wavesWant all delegates to have 1

vote eachKing says no – stay with old

waysJune 17, 1789

◦ 3rd estate recreates itself into a “National Assembly”

◦ Own constitution◦ Tennis court oath

The Tennis Court Oath

National assembly◦ 3 days later find themselves

locked outThe Tennis Court Oath

◦ Pledge not to leave until all 3 estates draft new constitution

Storming of the Bastille

July 14, 1789Louis doesn’t trust his troops

◦ Swiss guards protect himMoves Swiss troops to

Versailles and Paris◦Mass fear that he is stopping

National Assembly and the RevRumors Rumors

◦ The Bastille holds 20,000 lbs of gun powder

◦Mobs “storm” it to protect the NA and Rev

A Great Fear

Peasants Becoming Outlaws◦ Break into nobles’ manors

Get Louis!!!◦ Peasants march on Versailles ◦ Louis “leaves” to Paris

Assembly Reforms France

The Rights of Man ◦ Like our DOI◦ “Men are born free and remain

free”National Assembly (NA)

◦ Creates constitution – forces Louis to sign

Louis Tries to Escape

Louis and Family ◦ Change clothes with servants◦Make break for Austria

Pictures Pictures◦ Apparently they recognize him

from the money pic◦ Oh and the royal seal on the

carriageLegislative Assembly (NA)

◦ King is no longer◦ Call for his execution (Marie also)

Poor Poor Louis

January 21, 1793◦ “Citizen” Louis is marched to

scaffoldCourage and dignity

◦ “I am innocent and shall die without fear. I would hope that my death might bring happiness to the French”

Blood Blood◦ His head is held up◦ Silence at first – then cheers◦ Dipping of handkerchiefs

Poor Poor Marie

October 16, 1793◦Marie’s untimely death

Fashion to the end◦Wore the same black dress she

wore at trial◦Wore it for 2 months◦ Not allowed to wear at execution –

fear of sympathy

The Guillotine

Humane?◦ Dr. Joseph Guillotine supported it

as being “humane”◦ Actually was compared to other

waysEquality

◦ Instead of nobles getting axed and the poor being hung

◦Made execution almost production line style

The Reign of Terror

September 1793 to 1794◦ 40,000 executed ◦ Radicals take over NA and want

reformsNot radical enough?

◦ 18 yo boy executed for cutting tree down

◦ Bartender executed for selling sour wine

Led by Robespierre

Robespierre

Wild Man◦ Tries to eliminate religion◦ Creates the Cult of the Supreme

Being◦ Calls for many more executions

Radicals fear the Radical◦ He is arrested and executed