French Revolution

Long Range Reasons1. Fr still Feudal society2. Enlightenment3. Scientific Rev4. Cost of land5. Cost of food6. Low wages7. American Rev

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

a year3. Collapse of all govt.

finances

Roots of French revolution

There are 3 “acts” that started the revolution

1. Refusal of nobility to pay taxes

2. Forming of Natl. Assembly and “Tennis” court oath

3. Storming of Bastille

Roots of French revolution

The following slides describe the early rumblings of French difficulties of “classes” in the beginnings of the French Revolution.

There were 3 “Estates” in France.

Roots of French revolution

1st Estate aka ClergyLess than 1% of popOwned 10% of landExempt from natl. French tax

Roots of French revolution

2nd Estate aka Govt. officialsLess than 2% of popOwned 20% of landExempt 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 BourgeoisieThe middle classDoctors; lawyers; merchantsNo voice in govtWanted higher social status

3rd Estate PeasantsStruggled to survivePaid 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 estates

◦ Uh – they control tax lawsCalls 3 estates to Versailles

◦ tax reformCalled 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 estateBasically 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

More Rumors◦ Nobles hiring outlaws

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”State Controlled Church

◦ All lands confiscated – hey need $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