The French Monarchy:The French Monarchy:1775 - 17931775 - 1793

Marie Antoinette & Louis Marie Antoinette & Louis XVIXVI

Marie Antoinette’sMarie Antoinette’s“Peasant Cottage”“Peasant Cottage”

Marie Antoinette’sMarie Antoinette’s“Peasant Cottage”“Peasant Cottage”

Crane Brinton: Conditions Crane Brinton: Conditions Present Before a Revolution Present Before a Revolution

OccursOccurs1.1. People from all social classes are People from all social classes are

discontented.discontented.

2.2. People feel restless and held down by People feel restless and held down by unacceptable restrictions in society, religion, unacceptable restrictions in society, religion, the economy or the govt.the economy or the govt.

3.3. People are hopeful about the future, but they People are hopeful about the future, but they are being forced to accept less than they had are being forced to accept less than they had hoped for.hoped for.

4.4. People are beginning to think of themselves People are beginning to think of themselves as belonging to a social class, and there is a as belonging to a social class, and there is a growing bitterness between social classes.growing bitterness between social classes.

5.5. The social classes closest to one another are The social classes closest to one another are the most hostile.the most hostile.

Crane Brinton: Conditions Crane Brinton: Conditions Present Before a Revolution Present Before a Revolution

OccursOccurs6.6. The scholars and thinkers give up on the way The scholars and thinkers give up on the way

their society operates.their society operates.

7.7. The government does not respond to the The government does not respond to the needs of its society.needs of its society.

8.8. The leaders of the government and the ruling The leaders of the government and the ruling class begin to doubt themselves. Some join class begin to doubt themselves. Some join with the opposition groups.with the opposition groups.

9.9. The government is unable to get enough The government is unable to get enough support from any group to save itself.support from any group to save itself.

10.10. The government cannot organize its finances The government cannot organize its finances correctly and is either going bankrupt or trying correctly and is either going bankrupt or trying to tax heavily and unjustly.to tax heavily and unjustly.

Socio-Economic Data, Socio-Economic Data, 17891789

The French Urban The French Urban PoorPoor

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

% of Income Spent on Bread

1787

1788

a Urban Urban Commoner’sCommoner’sBudget:Budget:

– Food 80%Food 80%– Rent 25%Rent 25%– Tithe 10%Tithe 10%– Taxes 35%Taxes 35%– Clothing 20%Clothing 20%– TOTAL 170%TOTAL 170%

a King’s Budget:King’s Budget:– Interest 50%Interest 50%– Army 25%Army 25%– Versailles 25%Versailles 25%– Coronation 10%Coronation 10%– Loans 25%Loans 25%– Admin. 25%Admin. 25%– TOTAL 160%TOTAL 160%

Financial ProblemsFinancial Problemsin France, 1789in France, 1789

French Budget, French Budget, 17741774

Where is the tax Where is the tax money?money?

Commoners3rd Estate

Aristocracy

2nd Estate

Clergy1st Estate

The Suggested Voting The Suggested Voting Pattern:Pattern:

Voting by EstatesVoting by Estates1

1

1

Louis XIV insisted that Louis XIV insisted that the ancient distinction of the the ancient distinction of the three orders be conserved in its entirety.three orders be conserved in its entirety.

Commoners3rd Estate

Aristocracy2nd Estate

Clergy1st Estate

The Number of The Number of RepresentativesRepresentatives

in the Estates General: Vote in the Estates General: Vote by Head!by Head!300

300

648

Emmanuel Joseph Emmanuel Joseph SieyesSieyes

11stst What is the Third What is the Third Estate? Estate? Everything!Everything!22ndnd What has it been What has it been heretofore in the heretofore in the political order? political order? Nothing! Nothing!33rdrd What does it What does it demand?demand? To become To become somethingsomething therein! therein!

Abbé SieyèsAbbé Sieyès1748-18361748-1836

Convening the Estates General Convening the Estates General May, 1789May, 1789

Last time it was called into session was Last time it was called into session was 1614!1614!

““The Third Estate The Third Estate Awakens”Awakens”

Y The commoners finally presented their The commoners finally presented their credentials not as delegates of the Third credentials not as delegates of the Third Estate, but as “representatives of the nation.”Estate, but as “representatives of the nation.”

Y They proclaimed themselves the They proclaimed themselves the “National “National Assembly”Assembly” of France. of France.

““The Tennis Court The Tennis Court Oath”Oath”

by Jacques Louis Davidby Jacques Louis David

June 20, 1789June 20, 1789

Europe on the Eve Europe on the Eve of theof the

French RevolutionFrench Revolution

Storming the Bastille, Storming the Bastille, July July 14, 178914, 1789

Y A rumor that the king was planning a military A rumor that the king was planning a military coup against the National Assembly.coup against the National Assembly.

Y 18 died.18 died.

Y 73 wounded.73 wounded.

Y 7 guards 7 guards killed.killed.

Y It held 7 It held 7 prisoners prisoners [5 ordinary [5 ordinary criminals & 2 criminals & 2 madmen].madmen].

Crane Brinton: The Course Crane Brinton: The Course that Revolutions Seem to that Revolutions Seem to

TakeTake1.1. Impossible demands made of government Impossible demands made of government

which, if granted, would mean its end.which, if granted, would mean its end.

2.2. Unsuccessful government attempts to Unsuccessful government attempts to suppress revolutionaries.suppress revolutionaries.

3.3. Revolutionaries gain power and seem Revolutionaries gain power and seem united.united.

4.4. Once in power, revolutionaries begin to Once in power, revolutionaries begin to quarrel among themselves, and unity quarrel among themselves, and unity begins to dissolve.begins to dissolve.

5.5. The moderates gain the leadership but The moderates gain the leadership but fail to satisfy those who insist on further fail to satisfy those who insist on further changes.changes.

Crane Brinton: The Course Crane Brinton: The Course that Revolutions Seem to that Revolutions Seem to

TakeTake6.6. Power is gained by progressively more Power is gained by progressively more

radical groups until finally a lunatic fringe radical groups until finally a lunatic fringe gains almost complete control.gains almost complete control.

7.7. A strong man emerges and assumes great A strong man emerges and assumes great power.power.

8.8. The extremists try to create a “heaven-on-The extremists try to create a “heaven-on-earth” by introducing their whole program earth” by introducing their whole program and by punishing all of their opponents.and by punishing all of their opponents.

9.9. A period of terror [extreme violence] A period of terror [extreme violence] occurs.occurs.

10.10. Moderate groups regain power. THE Moderate groups regain power. THE REVOLUTION IS OVER!REVOLUTION IS OVER!

The Great Fear: The Great Fear: Peasant RevoltPeasant Revolt

(July 20, 1789)(July 20, 1789)

Y Rumors that the feudal aristocracy [the Rumors that the feudal aristocracy [the aristosaristos] ] were sending hired brigands to attack peasants were sending hired brigands to attack peasants and pillage their land.and pillage their land.

The The PathPath

of theof the“Great“GreatFear”Fear”

Night Session of August Night Session of August 4, 17894, 1789

Y Before the night was over:Before the night was over: The feudal regime in France had The feudal regime in France had

been abolished.been abolished.

All Frenchmen were, at least in All Frenchmen were, at least in principle, subject to the same principle, subject to the same laws and the same taxes and laws and the same taxes and eligible for the same offices.eligible for the same offices.

Equality & Meritocracy!Equality & Meritocracy! Equality & Meritocracy!Equality & Meritocracy!

National Constituent National Constituent AssemblyAssembly1789 - 17911789 - 1791

August DecreesAugust DecreesAugust 4-11, 1789August 4-11, 1789

(A renunciation of aristocratic (A renunciation of aristocratic privileges!)privileges!)

Liberté!Liberté!Egalité!Egalité!

Fraternité!Fraternité!

The Tricolor (1789)The Tricolor (1789)

The WHITE of the The WHITE of the Bourbons + the RED Bourbons + the RED

& BLUE of Paris.& BLUE of Paris.

Citizen!Citizen!

The Declaration of the The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Rights of Man and of

the Citizenthe CitizenAugust 26, August 26,

17891789

V Liberty!Liberty!

V Property!Property!

V Resistance to Resistance to oppression!oppression!

V Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson was in Paris at was in Paris at this time.this time.

The Declaration of the The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of Rights of Man and of

the Citizen the Citizen Posed New DilemmasPosed New Dilemmas

1.1. Did women have equal rights with Did women have equal rights with men?men?

2.2. What about free blacks in the What about free blacks in the colonies?colonies?

3.3. How could slavery be justified if all How could slavery be justified if all men were born free?men were born free?

4.4. Did religious toleration of Protestants Did religious toleration of Protestants and Jews include equal political and Jews include equal political rights?rights?

March of the Women,March of the Women,October 5-6, 1789October 5-6, 1789

We want the baker, the baker’s wife We want the baker, the baker’s wife and the baker’s boy!and the baker’s boy!

A spontaneous demonstration of Parisian A spontaneous demonstration of Parisian women for bread.women for bread.

The “October The “October Days” Days” (1789)(1789)

The king was thought to be surrounded by evil The king was thought to be surrounded by evil advisors at Versailles so he was forced to advisors at Versailles so he was forced to move to Paris and reside at the move to Paris and reside at the Tuileries Tuileries

PalacePalace..

How to Finance the How to Finance the New Govt.?New Govt.?

1.1. Confiscate Church Confiscate Church Lands Lands (1790)(1790)

One of the most controversial decisions of the One of the most controversial decisions of the entire revolutionary period.entire revolutionary period.

2.2. Print Print AssignatsAssignats2.2. Print Print

AssignatsAssignats

V Issued by the National Constituent Assembly.Issued by the National Constituent Assembly.V Interest-bearing notes which had the church lands Interest-bearing notes which had the church lands

as security.as security.

New Relations New Relations Between Church & Between Church &

StateStateV Government paid the salaries of the Government paid the salaries of the French clergy and maintained the French clergy and maintained the churches.churches.

V The church was reorganized:The church was reorganized: Parish priests Parish priests elected by the district elected by the district

assemblies.assemblies. Bishops Bishops named by the named by the

department assemblies.department assemblies. The pope had NO The pope had NO

voice in the voice in the appointment of appointment of the French clergy.the French clergy.

V It transformed France’sIt transformed France’sRoman Catholic ChurchRoman Catholic Churchinto a branch of the state!!into a branch of the state!!

Pope Pius VIPope Pius VI[1775-1799][1775-1799]

Louis XVI “Accepts” the Louis XVI “Accepts” the Constitution Constitution

& the National Assembly. & the National Assembly. 17911791

The French Constitution The French Constitution of 1791:of 1791:

A Bourgeois A Bourgeois GovernmentGovernmentV The king got the The king got the “suspensive” veto“suspensive” veto

[which prevented the passage of laws [which prevented the passage of laws for 4 years].for 4 years].

He could not pass laws.He could not pass laws. His ministers were responsible for their His ministers were responsible for their

own actions.own actions.V A permanent, elected, single chamber A permanent, elected, single chamber National Assembly.National Assembly.

Had the power to grant taxation.Had the power to grant taxation.

V An independent judiciary.An independent judiciary.

The French Constitution The French Constitution of 1791:of 1791:

A Bourgeois A Bourgeois GovernmentGovernmentV ““Active” CitizenActive” Citizen [who pays taxes [who pays taxes

amounting to 3 days labor] could vote amounting to 3 days labor] could vote vs. vs. “Passive” Citizen“Passive” Citizen..

1/3 of adult males were denied the 1/3 of adult males were denied the franchise.franchise.

Domestic servants were also Domestic servants were also excluded.excluded.V A newly elected A newly elected LEGISLATIVE LEGISLATIVE

ASSEMBLYASSEMBLY..

GOALGOAL Make sure that the country Make sure that the country was not turned over to the mob!was not turned over to the mob!

GOALGOAL Make sure that the country Make sure that the country was not turned over to the mob!was not turned over to the mob!

The Royal Family The Royal Family Attempts Attempts

to Fleeto FleeY June, 1791June, 1791

Y Helped by the Swedish Count Hans Helped by the Swedish Count Hans Axel von Fusen [Marie Antoinette’s Axel von Fusen [Marie Antoinette’s lover].lover].

Y Headed toward the Headed toward the LuxembourgLuxembourgborder.border.

Y The King wasThe King wasrecognized atrecognized atVarennes, nearVarennes, nearthe borderthe border

The First Coalition The First Coalition &&

TheThe Brunswick Brunswick ManifestoManifesto

(August 3, 1792)(August 3, 1792)

FRANCEFRANCE1792

-1797

1792-

1797AUSTRIAAUSTRIAPRUSSIAPRUSSIABRITAINBRITAINSPAINSPAINPIEDMONTPIEDMONT

Duke of BrunswickDuke of Brunswick if the Royal Family is if the Royal Family is harmed,harmed, Paris will be leveled!! Paris will be leveled!!

This military crisis undermined the new This military crisis undermined the new Legislative Assembly.Legislative Assembly.

French Soldiers & the French Soldiers & the Tricolor:Tricolor:

ViveVive Le Patrie!Le Patrie!V The French armies The French armies were ill-prepared for were ill-prepared for the conflict.the conflict.

V ½ of the officer ½ of the officer corps had corps had emigrated.emigrated.

V Many men disserted.Many men disserted.

V New recruits were New recruits were enthusiastic, butenthusiastic, butill-trained.ill-trained.

V French troops often French troops often broke ranks and fled broke ranks and fled in disorder.in disorder.

The “Second” The “Second” French RevolutionFrench Revolution

The National Convention:The National Convention:

Girondin Rule: 1792-1793Girondin Rule: 1792-1793

Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794Jacobin Rule: 1793-1794[“Reign of Terror”][“Reign of Terror”]

Thermidorian Reaction: 1794-Thermidorian Reaction: 1794-17951795

The Directory The Directory 1795-1799 1795-1799

Attitudes Attitudes & actions & actions

of of monarchymonarchy& court& court

Attitudes Attitudes & actions & actions

of of monarchymonarchy& court& court

Fear ofFear ofCounter-Counter-RevolutiRevoluti

onon

Fear ofFear ofCounter-Counter-RevolutiRevoluti

onon

ReligioReligiousus

divisiodivisionsns

ReligioReligiousus

divisiodivisionsns

PoliticPoliticalal

divisiodivisionsns

PoliticPoliticalal

divisiodivisionsns

WarWarWarWar

EconoEconomicmic

CrisesCrises

EconoEconomicmic

CrisesCrises

The Causes of The Causes of Instability in FranceInstability in France

1792 - 17951792 - 1795

The Causes of The Causes of Instability in FranceInstability in France

1792 - 17951792 - 1795

The JacobinsThe JacobinsJacobin Meeting HouseJacobin Meeting House

They held their meetings in the They held their meetings in the library of a former Jacobin library of a former Jacobin monastery in Paris.monastery in Paris.

Started as a debating society.Started as a debating society.

Membership mostly middle Membership mostly middle class.class.

Created a vast network of clubs.Created a vast network of clubs.

The The Sans-Culottes:Sans-Culottes:The Parisian Working The Parisian Working

ClassClass Small Small

shopkeepers.shopkeepers.

Tradesmen.Tradesmen.

Artisans.Artisans.

They shared many of They shared many of the ideals of their the ideals of their

middle class middle class representatives in representatives in

government!government!

The The Sans-Sans-CulottesCulottes

Depicted as Savages by a British Cartoonist.Depicted as Savages by a British Cartoonist.

The Storming of the The Storming of the Tuilieres:Tuilieres:

August 9-10, 1792August 9-10, 1792

This was triggered in part by the publication This was triggered in part by the publication in Paris of the August 3 Brunswick Manifesto, in Paris of the August 3 Brunswick Manifesto,

which confirmed popular suspicions which confirmed popular suspicions concerning the king’s treason.concerning the king’s treason.

The September The September Massacres, Massacres, 17921792

(The dark side of the (The dark side of the Revolution!)Revolution!)

Rumors that the anti-revolutionary political prisoners Rumors that the anti-revolutionary political prisoners were plotting to break out & attack from the rear the were plotting to break out & attack from the rear the armies defending France, while the Prussians armies defending France, while the Prussians attacked from the front.attacked from the front.

Buveurs de sangBuveurs de sang [“drinkers of blood.”] [“drinkers of blood.”] over 1000 over 1000 killed!killed!

It discredited the Revolution among its remaining It discredited the Revolution among its remaining sympathizers abroad.sympathizers abroad.

The National The National ConventionConvention

(September, 1792)(September, 1792) Its first act was the formal Its first act was the formal abolition of the monarchy on abolition of the monarchy on September 22, 1792.September 22, 1792.

The The Year IYear I of the French Republic. of the French Republic.

The Decree of FraternityThe Decree of Fraternity

it offered French assistance to any it offered French assistance to any subject peoples who wished to subject peoples who wished to overthrow their governments.overthrow their governments.

When France sneezes, When France sneezes, all of Europe catches all of Europe catches

cold!cold!

When France sneezes, When France sneezes, all of Europe catches all of Europe catches

cold!cold!

The “Purifying” Pot The “Purifying” Pot of the Jacobinof the Jacobin

Louis XVI as a Louis XVI as a PigPig

c For the Montagnards, the king was a For the Montagnards, the king was a traitor.traitor.

c The Girondins felt that the Revolution had The Girondins felt that the Revolution had gone far enough and didn’t want to gone far enough and didn’t want to execute the king [maybe exile him].execute the king [maybe exile him].

Louis XVI’s Head Louis XVI’s Head (January (January 21, 1793)21, 1793)c The trial of the king The trial of the king

was hastened by the was hastened by the discovery in a secret discovery in a secret cupboard in the cupboard in the Tuilieres of a cache Tuilieres of a cache of documents.of documents.

c They proved They proved conclusively Louis’ conclusively Louis’ knowledge and knowledge and encouragement of encouragement of foreign intervention.foreign intervention.

c The National The National Convention votedConvention voted387 to 334387 to 334 to to execute the execute the monarchs.monarchs.

Marie Antoinette as a Marie Antoinette as a SerpentSerpent

The “Widow Capet”The “Widow Capet”

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette on the Way to the on the Way to the

GuillotineGuillotine

Marie Antoinette Marie Antoinette Died in October, Died in October,

17931793

Attempts to Attempts to ControlControl

the Growing the Growing CrisisCrisis

1.1. Revolutionary Tribunal in ParisRevolutionary Tribunal in Paris try trysuspected counter-revolutionaries.suspected counter-revolutionaries.

A.A. Representatives-on-MissionRepresentatives-on-Mission sent to the provinces & to the army.sent to the provinces & to the army. had wide powers to overseehad wide powers to oversee

conscription.conscription.

B. B. Watch Committees [Watch Committees [comité de comité de surveillancesurveillance]] keep an eye on foreigners & keep an eye on foreigners &

suspects.suspects.C. Sanctioned the trial & execution of C. Sanctioned the trial & execution of rebels and émigrés, should they ever rebels and émigrés, should they ever return to France. return to France.

Attempts to Attempts to ControlControl

the Growing the Growing CrisisCrisis

2.2. The printing of more The printing of more assignatsassignats to to pay for the war.pay for the war.

3.3. Committee of Public Safety [CPS]Committee of Public Safety [CPS] to oversee and speed up the work of to oversee and speed up the work of

the government during this crisis.the government during this crisis.

4.4. Committee of General Security Committee of General Security [CGS][CGS]

responsible for the pursuit ofresponsible for the pursuit ofcounter-revolutionaries, thecounter-revolutionaries, thetreatment of suspects, & other treatment of suspects, & other internal security matters.internal security matters.

Committee for Public Committee for Public SafetySafety

Revolutionary Tribunals.Revolutionary Tribunals. 300,000 arrested.300,000 arrested. 16,000 – 50,000 executed.16,000 – 50,000 executed.

Maximillian Maximillian RobespierreRobespierre(1758 – 1794)(1758 – 1794)

Georges Jacques Georges Jacques DantonDanton

(1759 – 1794)(1759 – 1794)

Jean-Paul Jean-Paul MaratMarat

(1744 – 1793)(1744 – 1793)

““The Death of Marat”The Death of Marat”by Jacques Louis David,by Jacques Louis David,

17931793

The Assassination of The Assassination of MaratMarat

by Charlotte by Charlotte CordayCorday

Paul JacquesPaul JacquesAimeeAimee

Baudry, 19Baudry, 19cc

[A Romantic[A RomanticView]View]

The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror

Terror is nothing other than Terror is nothing other than justice, prompt, severe, inflexible.justice, prompt, severe, inflexible. -- Robespierre-- Robespierre

Let terror be Let terror be the order of the order of

the day!the day!c The Revolutionary The Revolutionary

Tribunal of Paris alone Tribunal of Paris alone executed 2,639 executed 2,639 victims in 15 months.victims in 15 months.

c The total number of The total number of victims nationwide victims nationwide was over 20,000!was over 20,000!

Religious Terror:Religious Terror:De-Christianization De-Christianization

(1793-1794)(1793-1794) The Catholic Church was linked The Catholic Church was linked withwithreal or potential counter-revolution.real or potential counter-revolution.

Religion was associated with theReligion was associated with theAncien RégimeAncien Régime and superstitious and superstitiouspractices.practices.

Very popular among the Very popular among the sans-sans-culottesculottes..

Therefore, religion had no place in Therefore, religion had no place in aarational, secular republic!rational, secular republic!

The De-Christianization The De-Christianization ProgramProgram

1.1. The adoption of a new The adoption of a new Republican Republican CalendarCalendar::

abolished Sundays & religious holidays.abolished Sundays & religious holidays. months named after seasonal features.months named after seasonal features. 7-day weeks replaced by 10-day 7-day weeks replaced by 10-day

decades.decades. the yearly calendar was dated fromthe yearly calendar was dated from

the creation of the Republic the creation of the Republic [Sept. 22, 1792][Sept. 22, 1792]

The Convention symbolically divorced The Convention symbolically divorced the state from the Church!!the state from the Church!!

The De-Christianization The De-Christianization ProgramProgram2.2. The public exercise of religion wasThe public exercise of religion was

banned.banned.

3.3. The Paris Commune supported the:The Paris Commune supported the: destruction of religious & royal statues.destruction of religious & royal statues. ban on clerical dress.ban on clerical dress. encouragement of the clergy to give up encouragement of the clergy to give up

their vocations.their vocations.

4.4. The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris was turned into the was turned into the “Temple of Reason.”“Temple of Reason.”

5.5. The deportation of priests denounced byThe deportation of priests denounced bysix citizens.six citizens.

The Festival of The Festival of Supreme BeingSupreme Being

A new secular holidayA new secular holiday

Backlash to theBacklash to theDe-Christianization De-Christianization

ProgramProgram It alienated most of the populationIt alienated most of the population(especially in the rural areas).(especially in the rural areas).

Robespierre never supported it.Robespierre never supported it. he persuaded the Convention tohe persuaded the Convention to

reaffirm the principle of religiousreaffirm the principle of religioustoleration.toleration.

Decree on the Decree on the “Liberty of Cults”“Liberty of Cults”was passedwas passed December 6, 1793.December 6, 1793. BUT, it had little practical effect!BUT, it had little practical effect!

The “Thermidorean The “Thermidorean Reaction,” Reaction,” 17941794P July 26 July 26 Robespierre gives a Robespierre gives a

speech illustrating speech illustrating newnew plots & conspiracies. plots & conspiracies.

he alienated members of the CPS he alienated members of the CPS & CGS. & CGS.

many felt threatened by his many felt threatened by his implications.implications.

P July 27 July 27 the Convention arrests the Convention arrests Robespierre. Robespierre.

P July 28 July 28 Robespierre is tried & Robespierre is tried & guillotined! guillotined!

The Arrest of Robespierre

The Revolution The Revolution ConsumesConsumes

Its Own Children!Its Own Children!

Danton Awaits Danton Awaits Execution, 1793Execution, 1793

Robespierre Lies WoundedRobespierre Lies WoundedBefore the Revolutionary Before the Revolutionary Tribunal that will order Tribunal that will order him to be guillotined, him to be guillotined,

1794.1794.