Post on 20-Nov-2014
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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