THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONTHE FRENCH REVOLUTION

““OFF WITH HIS HEAD”OFF WITH HIS HEAD”

LIBERTY, EQUALITY, LIBERTY, EQUALITY, FRATERNITYFRATERNITY

The motto of the French RevolutionThe motto of the French Revolution

Revolution of PoliticsRevolution of Politics

The “era of revolutions” began in North America The “era of revolutions” began in North America in 1775in 1775

No country felt the consequences of the American No country felt the consequences of the American Revolution more than FranceRevolution more than France

The French government gave direct aid to the The French government gave direct aid to the American Colonies – both financially and militarilyAmerican Colonies – both financially and militarily

Hundreds of French officers served in America Hundreds of French officers served in America and were inspired by the experienceand were inspired by the experience

Revolution of politicsRevolution of politics

The most famous of these officers was theThe most famous of these officers was the young young and impressionable, and impressionable, Marquis de Lafayette.Marquis de Lafayette.

His initial reasoning for fighting in the American His initial reasoning for fighting in the American Revolution was only to fight against France’s Revolution was only to fight against France’s traditional enemy, Great Britain.traditional enemy, Great Britain.

He returned with a love of liberty and very firm He returned with a love of liberty and very firm republican convictions.republican convictions.

The American Revolution undeniably hastened The American Revolution undeniably hastened the upheaval in Francethe upheaval in France

Marquis de LafayetteMarquis de Lafayette

Revolution of PoliticsRevolution of Politics

The French RevolutionThe French Revolution, however, was no mirror of , however, was no mirror of the American one.the American one.

It It was more radical and more complexwas more radical and more complex For Europeans, it was the great revolution of the For Europeans, it was the great revolution of the

1818thth century century It was “THE” revolution that opened the modern It was “THE” revolution that opened the modern

era in politicsera in politics

CAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONCAUSES OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION Like the American Revolution, Like the American Revolution, the immediate the immediate

origins are found in the financial difficulties origins are found in the financial difficulties of of the governmentthe government

It began in the reign of Louis XV (1723-1774)It began in the reign of Louis XV (1723-1774)

CAUSES OF THE REVOLUTIONCAUSES OF THE REVOLUTION

The ministers of The ministers of Louis XV had tried to raise taxesLouis XV had tried to raise taxes But the courts and widespread public opposition But the courts and widespread public opposition

stopped the effortstopped the effort In 1776 the money to help finance the American In 1776 the money to help finance the American

Revolution had to be found by borrowingRevolution had to be found by borrowing By the 1780s 50% of France’s annual budget By the 1780s 50% of France’s annual budget

went for interest payments on the increasing debtwent for interest payments on the increasing debt

Financial DifficultiesFinancial Difficulties

25% went to maintain the military25% went to maintain the military 6% went to pay the costs of a very extravagant 6% went to pay the costs of a very extravagant

king, Louis XVI, king, Louis XVI, and his court at Versaillesand his court at Versailles <20% was available for administrative functions .<20% was available for administrative functions . Could not declare bankruptcy, could not print Could not declare bankruptcy, could not print

money, no paper currency, no central bank, no money, no paper currency, no central bank, no means of creating creditmeans of creating credit

WHAT TO DO?????WHAT TO DO?????

The EffectsThe Effects

The financial crisis created a huge inflation and a The financial crisis created a huge inflation and a rise in prices. rise in prices.

It created great distress, with the peasants. It created great distress, with the peasants. landlords began raising fees on the peasantry landlords began raising fees on the peasantry

when they saw their purchasing power decrease. when they saw their purchasing power decrease. By 1789, over 80 percent of an average peasant's By 1789, over 80 percent of an average peasant's

household income went to purchasing household income went to purchasing breadbread alone—just bread. alone—just bread.

In that same year, unemployment in many parts In that same year, unemployment in many parts of France was over 50%. of France was over 50%.

Social Classes & GovernmentSocial Classes & Government

Society in France in the 18Society in France in the 18thth century century was still was still based on feudal societybased on feudal society

There were There were 3 social classes or estates 3 social classes or estates First Estate – First Estate –

the clergythe clergyappx. 100,000appx. 100,000owned 10% of the landowned 10% of the landpaid “voluntary” taxes or “gifts” to the paid “voluntary” taxes or “gifts” to the

government every 5 yrs.government every 5 yrs.Church levied its own tax or “tithe” Church levied its own tax or “tithe”

amounting to appx. 10%amounting to appx. 10%

SOCIAL CLASSES AND GOVERNMENTSOCIAL CLASSES AND GOVERNMENT

Second Estate – Second Estate –

The nobilityThe nobility

400,000 Nobles – men and women400,000 Nobles – men and women

Owned 25% of the landOwned 25% of the land

Paid very little in taxes but they were Paid very little in taxes but they were allowed to tax the peasants allowed to tax the peasants just as in the days of just as in the days of feudalismfeudalism

enjoyed many privileges which gave them a enjoyed many privileges which gave them a superior standing in societysuperior standing in society

Social Classes and GovernmentSocial Classes and Government

Third Estate -Third Estate -

- Everybody else – Commoners- Everybody else – Commoners

- Merchants, artisans, lawyers, unskilled - Merchants, artisans, lawyers, unskilled laborers, peasantslaborers, peasants

- huge diversity in the members of this - huge diversity in the members of this estate – united only by their shared legal status estate – united only by their shared legal status as being not nobles or clergyas being not nobles or clergy

- - known as “bourgeoisie” or middle classknown as “bourgeoisie” or middle class

The Old RegimeThe Old Regime

Old Regime – describes the system in France prior Old Regime – describes the system in France prior to the Revolutionto the Revolution

Had ceased to correspond with the social realities Had ceased to correspond with the social realities of 1780of 1780

Legally society was still based rigid orders Legally society was still based rigid orders inherited from the Middle Agesinherited from the Middle Ages

In reality, In reality, France was moving toward being a France was moving toward being a society based on wealth and educationsociety based on wealth and education

Both were at odds with a monarchy that Both were at odds with a monarchy that continued to claim the right to absolute power.continued to claim the right to absolute power.

The Execution of the KingThe Execution of the King

LLouis XVI, king of France, arrived in the wrong ouis XVI, king of France, arrived in the wrong historical place at the wrong time historical place at the wrong time

He soon found himself overwhelmed by events He soon found himself overwhelmed by events beyond his control. beyond his control.

Ascending the throneAscending the throne in 1774, Louis inherited a in 1774, Louis inherited a realm nearly bankrupt realm nearly bankrupt through the opulence of through the opulence of his predecessors Louis XIV and XV. his predecessors Louis XIV and XV.

After becoming King, things only got worse After becoming King, things only got worse

The Execution of the KingThe Execution of the King

The people were not happy. The people were not happy. To top it off, To top it off, Louis had the misfortune to marry a

foreigner, the Austrian Marie Antoinette. Louis was only 18 when he inherited the throne Louis was only 18 when he inherited the throne

from his grandfather, Louis XV; he was very from his grandfather, Louis XV; he was very inexperiencedinexperienced

The anger of the French people, fueled by The anger of the French people, fueled by xenophobia, targeted Marie as a prime source of xenophobia, targeted Marie as a prime source of their problems. their problems.

Xenophobia? Hatred of all foreigners

The Execution of the KingThe Execution of the King

In In July 1789, the mobs of Paris stormed the July 1789, the mobs of Paris stormed the Bastille – a symbol of the monarchyBastille – a symbol of the monarchy

Feeling that power was shifting to their side, Feeling that power was shifting to their side, the the mob forced the imprisonment of Louis and his mob forced the imprisonment of Louis and his family forcing them to return to paris from family forcing them to return to paris from versailles versailles

Louis attempted escape in 1791 but was captured Louis attempted escape in 1791 but was captured and returned to Paris. and returned to Paris.

In 1792, the newly elected National Convention In 1792, the newly elected National Convention declared France a republic declared France a republic

brought Louis to trial for crimes against the brought Louis to trial for crimes against the

people.people.

The Execution of the KingThe Execution of the King

On January 20, 1793, On January 20, 1793, the National Convention the National Convention condemned Louis XVI to death, his execution condemned Louis XVI to death, his execution scheduled for the next day.scheduled for the next day.

Louis spent that evening saying goodbye to his Louis spent that evening saying goodbye to his wife and children. The following day dawned cold wife and children. The following day dawned cold and wet. Louis arose at five. At eight o'clock a and wet. Louis arose at five. At eight o'clock a guard of 1,200 horsemen arrived to escort the guard of 1,200 horsemen arrived to escort the former king on a two-hour carriage ride to his place former king on a two-hour carriage ride to his place of execution. Accompanying Louis, at his invitation, of execution. Accompanying Louis, at his invitation, was a priest, Henry Essex Edgeworth, an was a priest, Henry Essex Edgeworth, an Englishman living in France. Edgeworth recorded Englishman living in France. Edgeworth recorded the event and we join his narrative as he and the the event and we join his narrative as he and the fated King enter the carriage to begin their journey:fated King enter the carriage to begin their journey:

Eyewitness AccountEyewitness Account

The path leading to the scaffold was extremely The path leading to the scaffold was extremely rough and difficult to pass; the King was obliged to rough and difficult to pass; the King was obliged to lean on my arm, and from the slowness with which lean on my arm, and from the slowness with which he proceeded, I feared for a moment that his he proceeded, I feared for a moment that his courage might fail; but what was my astonishment, courage might fail; but what was my astonishment, when arrived at the last step, I felt that he suddenly when arrived at the last step, I felt that he suddenly let go my arm, and I saw him cross with a firm foot let go my arm, and I saw him cross with a firm foot the breadth of the whole scaffold; silence, by his look the breadth of the whole scaffold; silence, by his look alone, fifteen or twenty drums that were placed alone, fifteen or twenty drums that were placed opposite to me; and in a voice so loud, that it must opposite to me; and in a voice so loud, that it must have been heard it the Pont Tournant, I heard him have been heard it the Pont Tournant, I heard him pronounce distinctly these memorable words: 'pronounce distinctly these memorable words: ' I die I die innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon innocent of all the crimes laid to my charge; I Pardon those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to those who have occasioned my death; and I pray to God that the blood you are going to shed may never God that the blood you are going to shed may never be visited on Francebe visited on France.' .'

Eyewitness AccountEyewitness Account

Many voices were at the same time heard Many voices were at the same time heard encouraging the executioners. They seemed encouraging the executioners. They seemed reanimated themselves, in seizing with violence the reanimated themselves, in seizing with violence the most virtuous of Kings, they dragged him under the most virtuous of Kings, they dragged him under the axe of the guillotine, which with one stroke severed axe of the guillotine, which with one stroke severed his head from his body. All this passed in a moment. his head from his body. All this passed in a moment. The youngest of the guards, who seemed about The youngest of the guards, who seemed about eighteen, immediately seized the head, and showed eighteen, immediately seized the head, and showed it to the people as he walked round the scaffold; he it to the people as he walked round the scaffold; he accompanied this monstrous ceremony with the accompanied this monstrous ceremony with the most atrocious and indecent gestures. At first an most atrocious and indecent gestures. At first an awful silence prevailed; at length some cries of 'Vive awful silence prevailed; at length some cries of 'Vive la Republique!' were heard. By degrees the voices la Republique!' were heard. By degrees the voices multiplied and in less than ten minutes this cry, a multiplied and in less than ten minutes this cry, a thousand times repeated became the universal shout thousand times repeated became the universal shout of the multitude, and every hat was in the air." of the multitude, and every hat was in the air."

Louis’ executionLouis’ execution

THE FATE OF THE OTHER ROYALSTHE FATE OF THE OTHER ROYALS

Louis was executed in 1793. Louis was executed in 1793. Marie Antoinette’s son, the “Lost DauphinMarie Antoinette’s son, the “Lost Dauphin” ” or or

Louis the XVIILouis the XVII was taken from her and sent to was taken from her and sent to prison. He was 8. prison. He was 8. He died two years later.He died two years later.

Marie was put on trialMarie was put on trial. She was accused of all . She was accused of all sorts of horrid things, including child abuse. sorts of horrid things, including child abuse. She was called “Prisoner 280” or Antoinette She was called “Prisoner 280” or Antoinette Capet”.Capet”.

Condemned to death for high treason.Condemned to death for high treason. Louis XVI’s sister, Elisabeth, is guillotinedLouis XVI’s sister, Elisabeth, is guillotined Louis and Marie’s daughter, Marie-Therese, Louis and Marie’s daughter, Marie-Therese,

survives, but is emotionally scarred by all the survives, but is emotionally scarred by all the things she saw during her imprisonment.things she saw during her imprisonment.

TRIAL OF MARIE ANTOINETTETRIAL OF MARIE ANTOINETTE

Execution of Marie AntoinetteExecution of Marie Antoinette

She has to ride to her execution in a public She has to ride to her execution in a public cart with dozens of other prisoners.cart with dozens of other prisoners.

Her final words”Her final words” Priest: “This is the moment, Madame, to Priest: “This is the moment, Madame, to

arm yourself with courage”.arm yourself with courage”. M-Antoinette: “Courage? The moment when M-Antoinette: “Courage? The moment when

my troubles are going to end is not the my troubles are going to end is not the moment when my courage is going to fail moment when my courage is going to fail me”. me”.

Her head is displayed. Her body dumped in Her head is displayed. Her body dumped in a mass grave.a mass grave.

Many, many executions are to follow….Many, many executions are to follow….

The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror

Events of this periodEvents of this period

1. 1. execution of the King and Queenexecution of the King and Queen

2. 2. war war – In an effort– In an effort to spread the ideas of the to spread the ideas of the Revolution, France declared war on several Revolution, France declared war on several countries with monarchies countries with monarchies

The Reign of TerrorThe Reign of Terror3. French success led to Spain and Britain 3. French success led to Spain and Britain

joining the war against France ; foreign joining the war against France ; foreign troops march towards Paris troops march towards Paris

4. 4. food prices soaring out of control - caused food prices soaring out of control - caused looting looting

55. . In Western France, clergy and nobles led a In Western France, clergy and nobles led a counterrevolution movement counterrevolution movement

6. 6. disputesdisputes among revolutionaries among revolutionaries – a. a. Jacobins - most radical group, centered Jacobins - most radical group, centered

in Paris in Paris – b. b. Girondists - more moderate group Girondists - more moderate group

support came mostly from outside of support came mostly from outside of ParisParis

7. Dictatorial Government7. Dictatorial Government

1. a 1. a people’s army - first European national people’s army - first European national draft draft

2. The Reign of Terror 2. The Reign of Terror

a. a. Committee of Public Safety - Committee of Public Safety - Robespierre as leaderRobespierre as leader

bb. executed anyone who disagreed with . executed anyone who disagreed with Jacobins Jacobins

Return to ModerationReturn to Moderation

led mostly by the bourgeoisie - they did not led mostly by the bourgeoisie - they did not want the monarchy restored nor did they want the monarchy restored nor did they want the common people to have political want the common people to have political power power

established the Directory - a republic established the Directory - a republic headed by five men headed by five men

weak government - fall from power 1799weak government - fall from power 1799

RobespierreRobespierre

Maximilien RobespierreMaximilien Robespierre 1758-17941758-1794

RobespierreRobespierre

was elected to the Estates General in 1789.was elected to the Estates General in 1789.

He attached himself to the extreme left wing, and He attached himself to the extreme left wing, and soon commanded attention. soon commanded attention.

His influence grew daily, and the mob His influence grew daily, and the mob greatly greatly admiredadmired his earnestness and his apparent his earnestness and his apparent incorruptibility. incorruptibility.

Became the leader of the twelve man Committee Became the leader of the twelve man Committee of Public Safety of Public Safety

The Committee was elected by the National The Committee was elected by the National Convention, and it governed France at the height Convention, and it governed France at the height of the radical phase of the revolution. of the radical phase of the revolution.

He had once been a fairly straightforward liberal He had once been a fairly straightforward liberal thinker - reputedly he slept with a copy of thinker - reputedly he slept with a copy of Rousseau's Social Contract at his side. Rousseau's Social Contract at his side.

But his own purity of belief led him to impatience But his own purity of belief led him to impatience with others. with others.

Robespierre was frustrated with the progress of Robespierre was frustrated with the progress of the revolution. the revolution.

After issuing threats to the National Convention, After issuing threats to the National Convention, he himself was he himself was arrested in July 1794. arrested in July 1794.

He tried to shoot himself but missed, and spent He tried to shoot himself but missed, and spent his last few hours with his jaw hanging off. his last few hours with his jaw hanging off.

He was guillotined, as a victim of the terror, in He was guillotined, as a victim of the terror, in July 1794.July 1794.

in the five months from September, 1793, to in the five months from September, 1793, to February 5, 1794, the revolutionary tribunal in February 5, 1794, the revolutionary tribunal in Paris convicted and executed 238 men and 31 Paris convicted and executed 238 men and 31 women and acquitted 190 personswomen and acquitted 190 persons

by February 1794 there were 5,434 individuals in by February 1794 there were 5,434 individuals in the prisons in Paris awaiting trial. the prisons in Paris awaiting trial.

Results of the French RevolutionResults of the French Revolution

1. absolute monarchy came to an end in France 1. absolute monarchy came to an end in France 2. church and nobility lost their special privileges 2. church and nobility lost their special privileges 3. decline of the nobles aided the rise of the 3. decline of the nobles aided the rise of the

BourgeoisieBourgeoisie 4. ideals of liberty and individual rights echoed in 4. ideals of liberty and individual rights echoed in

other lands other lands 5. introduction of new style of warfare 5. introduction of new style of warfare 6. Advanced nationalism 6. Advanced nationalism

Jean-Paul MaratJean-Paul Marat

Marat, friend of Robespierre, Jacobin Marat, friend of Robespierre, Jacobin deputydeputy to the Convention, a fiery to the Convention, a fiery orator; he was also a violent man, orator; he was also a violent man, quick to take offense. quick to take offense.

On July 13, 1793, a young Royalist, On July 13, 1793, a young Royalist, Charlotte Corday, managed to gain Charlotte Corday, managed to gain entry into his apartment. entry into his apartment.

When Marat agreed to receive her, When Marat agreed to receive her, she stabbed him in his bathtub, she stabbed him in his bathtub, where he was accustomed to sit hour where he was accustomed to sit hour after hour treating the disfiguring after hour treating the disfiguring skin disease from which he suffered. skin disease from which he suffered.

Portrait of Marat’s DeathPortrait of Marat’s Death

The French Revolution results in another dictator The French Revolution results in another dictator assuming absolute powerassuming absolute power