Download - French Revolution - Part 2
The French Revolution
liberté égalité fraternité
Madame Guillotine
Nicknamed “The National Razor”
Primary method of execution during the Terror because it was thought to be “more humane”
Maximilien Robespierre
Born in Arras, France Lawyer Founder of French
Democracy “The Incorruptible”
Staunch disciple of Rousseau (The Social Contract)
Wanted the monarchy abolished in favor of a Democracy
Wanted to de-Christianize France in favor of Reason
The End of the Monarchy
September 22, 1792, the monarchy in France was officially abolished
The First Republic of France was born!
The End of Louis XVI
December 11, 1792 Louis XVI was put on trial for violating the rights of his subjects
He was found guilty & sentenced to death
The order for Louis XVI to appear before the National Convention
on December 11, 1792
Louis XVI’s ExecutionJanuary 21, 1793
Discontent of the Sans-Culottes
The execution of Louis did not solve France’s problems
The National Assembly, now known as the National Convention, faced enormous problems
Problems…
The value of assignats (French paper currency) used to finance the revolution had fallen by 50%
There was still price inflation and continued food shortages
Problems (cont.)…
France was on the brink of civil war, not to mention they were at war with Austria, Prussia, Holland, Spain, and Great Britain
Finally, in June 1793, the Jacobins took over power in the National Convention, as well as the nation
Problems (cont.)…
While this helped out with the crisis France was in, this is also when things took a radical turn
Although the Jacobins were a group of many, one man stepped forth as their leader; Maximilien Robespierre
The Republic of Virtue
1793-1794 Under leadership of Robespierre Goal - de-Christianize France:
› Close or sell churches› Created a new calendar with the first day
beginning on Sept. 22, 1792
RevolutionaryClock
Republic of Virtue (cont.)
The ROV also strove to:› detest bad faith and despotism› punish tyrants and traitors› assist the unfortunate and respect the weak› defend the oppressed› do all the good one can to one's neighbor› behave with justice towards all men
Reign of Terror
Extremes measures were taken in order to reach their goal
This time period (1793-1794) is known as the “Reign of Terror”
Anyone considered an enemy of the state was arrested, tried, and usually executed
Committee of Public Safety
Created by the NC in April of 1793, it had 9 members (later it would have 12)
It was formed as an administrative body to supervise and expedite the work of the NC but became the central power in the FR
Responsible for the executions of approximately 40,000 French citizens
Trial of Marie Antoinette
Accused of immorality & treason
Tried October 14-15, 1793
Marie Antoinette’s ExecutionOctober 16, 1793
Homework
Marie Antoinette Bio Worksheet Due next class
Bell Ringer
Describe life during the Reign of Terror
Discuss with your partner1 minute
The End of the Terror(and subsequently Robespierre)
It’s All Going Terribly Wrong…
“Part of the problem for the leaders of the revolution was that they represented a bourgeoisie who were a minority of the population. The Montagnards were a minority within that minority. Now even that minority was fragmenting, so each faction became gradually aware that, for an even smaller minority to impose its will, it would need to eliminate the other factions decisively.”
Mark Steel in Vive La Revolution
Enough is Enough
Not long until › the revolutionaries turned on each other› the masses became fed up› Robespierre made one too many enemies
The Downward Spiral Begins
April 1794: The Jacobins wiped out the better part of the Girondins
In his attempt to de-Christianize France, Robespierre became involved in creating a new state religion “The Cult of the Supreme Being”
Cult of the Supreme Being
Although Robespierre wished to de-Christianize France, he mostly wanted to get rid of the Catholic Church
He despised atheism, and so created a religion based on reason, social awareness, and democratic ideals
To kick off his new religion, he held a Festival of the Supreme Being in June 1794
Really? He Did What?
Festival included:› Choir of 2,400 children› Choir of blind children› Monumental effigy of Atheism was set on
fire revealing a monument to Wisdom inside
› Procession of apx. 300,000 people to the Champs des Mars -
› 50 foot tall paper mâché statue of Hercules
The Story of the Carmelite Nuns
Robespierre’s Demise
Festival perceived as a departure from reality by many
He appeared before the NC saying, “People! You should be informed that there exists within your bosom a league of scoundrels who are at war with public virtue!”
Refused to say who. Why is this a problem?
Arrested
NC voted to arrest Robespierre and several other Jacobins
In a skirmish/suicide attempt (?) Robespierre ended up with a bullet in the jaw
Several other Jacobins (including Robespierre’s brother) successfully committed suicide
Those who remained alive, didn’t do so for long…
9th - 10th of Thermidor, Year II (July 27, 1794)
Lasting Impact
The Rights of Man Democracy The new Republic
The Modern State
The Directory
With the Terror at an end, the NC moved in a more conservative direction› Limited power of Committee of Public
Safety› Re-opened churches› New constitution› 2 legislative houses› New executive office - the Directory
The Directory (1795-1799)
Committee of 5 Chosen by Council of Elders Became very corrupt thereby gaining
many enemies 1799 - coup d’état (sudden overthrow
of government by military force) Enter Napoleon Bonaparte…