The French Revolution

1. The French Revolution

2. Louis XVI (1754-1793) • Ruled from 1774 – 1791 • 1770 Married Marie Antoinette • Austrian Princess • Populace not happy because an Alliance with Austria is what drew France into the 7 years war • Couldn’t produce and heir • Main flaw was lacked firmness • Always consulted public opinion • Found guilty of high treason • Executed by guillotine in 1793

3. Problem 1 - Money • Louis XV left France deeply in debt • By 1787 the French government was 4000 million livres in dept. • In 1787 the King asked the nobility to help him reform the tax system • Members of the 1st estate and the 2nd estate did not pay taxes • Louis wanted the 1st and 2nd estate to pay taxes • Not surprisingly they refused

4. Problem 2 – Bad harvest • In the years 1787 to 1789 there was terrible weather • Heavy rain, bard winters and hot summers • Led to 3 very bad harvests in France • Inflation and starvation followed • The nobility, the clergy and the King lived in the lap of luxury

5. Estates General 1789 • A gathering of the 3 estates • Not called since 1614 • Convened by Louis to deal with the debt • No real power mostly symbolic • Used as an advisory council • Each estate would have one vote

6. Estate General • Meeting supposed to be about taxes, degrades into who should have what power • Louis closes the meeting • Locks everyone out • 3rd estate moves to a Tennis Court and takes the • “Tennis Court Oath”

7. Tennis Court Oath • June 20, 1789 • 576 of 577 members of the 3rd estate • Take an oath not to separate until a constitution is created • Creation of the “National Assembly”

8. Tennis Court Oath - Significance • Shifting of the balance of power from the monarch to the people • Louis less able to rely on the divine right of kings • Forces Louis to count voting by head rather than order of the estates • Birth of modern democracy • 3rd estate does not back down • Inspires riots and revolutionary behaviour throughout the countryside

9. National Assembly 1789 (June) • Begins with the Tennis Court Oath • Majority the 3rd estate • Invite the 1st and 2nd estate to join them • Most of the clergy and some of the nobles join • Declare themselves the governing power of France • The army at this point is still loyal to Louis • Foreign mercenaries summoned by Louis

10. Storming the Bastille • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OCheQDr5ag

11. The Fall of the Bastille • National Assembly feels threatened by the impending troops • Large scale rioting across Paris and the countryside begins to organize • Rallying cry “Liberty, Equality and Fraternity!” • Set their sights on the Bastille • A prison • More a symbol of royal power • Housed weaponry • Now the 3rd estate was armed

12. Abolishment of Feudalism • August 4 1789 • National Assembly takes away seigneurial rights from the nobles and the tithing rights away from the clergy • Within a few hours all special privileges are taken from the 1st and 2nd estates • Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen passed • Makes one legislative assembly where all men are equal and the King only has a “suspensive veto” • Could delay laws but not veto them • Assembly abolishes all hereditary offices (government)

13. Reformation of the French Church • National Assembly declares on November 1789 that all Church land (10% of total land) becomes property of the state (Assembly) • Assembly Auctions off the land to the highest bidder • The Church now becomes the charge of the State • The poor, sick and weak now under the care of the State • Assembly abolishes “Monastic Vows” • All monks and nuns are forced to return to private life

14. Louis XVI and the Army • Army becoming increasingly difficult to control • Made up of peasants with nobles as commanding officers • Louis not really liking what he is seeing tries to flee France dressed as a commoner • Recognized, arrested and brought back to France • This is the beginning of the end for the monarchy in France

15. War 1792 • Groups in France wanted to “export” the ideals of the revolution to the rest of Europe • Louis thought war would strengthen his reputation • This lead to declaration of war against Austria • Austrian ally Prussia declares that they will attack if France does not withdraw and reinstate the monarchy

16. Execution of Louis XVI • Louis accused of conspiring with the enemies of France (foreign nations) • Executed by guillotine • Jan 17, 1793

18. Reign of Terror • Committee of Public safety comes under the control of Maximillien Robespierre and the Jacobins • Jacobins • Radical revolutionary group who believed in force to further the revolution • 16 594 people killed by guillotine for “counter revolutionary actions” • Girondins • More moderate opposition to the Jacobins • Many killed in the Reign

20. The White Terror • Girondin response to the Jacobin Terror • Execution of many of the Jacobins responsible • Robespierre executed • July 27, 1794 • Brings an end to the reign of Terror • New constitution brought in

21. The Constitutional Republic • New Parliament chosen by eligible land owners (vote) • Council of 500 • 500 representatives (lower house) • Council of Elders • 250 Senators • Executive power was granted to 5 people chosen by the council of elders and nominated by the council of 500

22. Results of the French Revolution • Crippled the aristocracy (nobles) • Destroyed the power of the Church • Ended the monarchy in France • Modern style democracy established