The French Revolution 1789 Mr. Allen France 1789 The 3 Estates (cont) French Society: 18 th Century Palace of Versailles Estates General Not until it was too late did Louis finally do something May 5, 1789 King Louis XVI called for the Estates General a meeting of representatives from all three estates to discuss tax reform and getting France out of debt Bourgeoisie Educated and well off peasants Estates General Where are the classes located? Tennis Court Oath- 3 rd estate vowed not to adjourn until they created a new constitution Storming of the Bastille: July 14, 1789 Hundreds of members of the Third Estate storm the prison, free prisoners, and steal weapons: Theyre armed now!! The French army was unprepared and unable to stop them Storming was the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution against the King Storming of the Bastille "Is it then a rebellion?" asked Louis XVI "No, sire," came the reply. "It is a revolution." Declaration of the Rights of Man August 27, 1789 the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man Guaranteed equal justice, freedom of religion and speech Influenced by English Bill of Rights Declarations of the Rights of Man and Citizen The Great fear- Peasants fearing nobles struck first Bread riots-6,000 Women rioted, dragged Louis 16 th back to Paris Legislative Assembly created New government formed. National assembly formed as a new legislature. Stripped the King of his law making powers, had to approve of wars France was now a constitutional monarchy Radicals rule France The most extreme radical political group was the Sans-Culottes without knee breeches Radicals didnt trust the King, called for Republic Death of the king The new govt., guided by the radicals, put the king on trial and found him guilty. King Louis XVI was found guilty and sentenced to death by the guillotine. Committee of Public Safety Angry radical Parisian mobs threatened the citizens of Paris, a strong leader took control. Maximillian Robespierre took control of the govt. He formed the Committee of Public Safety. Reign of Terror Robespierre in essence, became dictator of France. Robespierre decided who was considered an enemy of the Revolution. All enemies of the state met the same fate, Death by the guillotine. Robespierre executed at least 3,000 people Death of Robespierre The Reign of Terror came to an end when Robespierre himself was guillotined by his fellow revolutionaries. The Directory After the Reign of Terror a new group of 5 Moderates take over the government: The Directory, The directory was weak. The result? Napoleon Bonaparte