The French Revolution

Political Causes

• Absolutism - French Kings ruled with absolute power.

• The Enlightenment - The Philosophers of the Enlightenment promoted democracy and wrote about the abuses of French Kings.

• The success of the Puritan and American Revolutions inspired the French to challenge the king.

Social Causes

• The First and Second Estates had rights and privileges denied to the Third Estate.

• A rigid class system created inequality.• The rise of the Bourgeoisie:1. The wealthy and educated middle class

resented their status.2. The Bourgeoisie became the leaders of the

revolution.

Economic Causes

• Taxation - The First and Second Estate did not pay taxes.

• Bad Harvests - led to severe food shortages.• France was bankrupt.

Louis XVI

• Reigned from 1774 to 1793.

• A financial crisis forced Louis to call a meeting of the Estates General.

Marie Antoinette

• Marie Antoinette was the daughter of Maria Theresa of Austria.

• Her marriage to Louis served to seal an alliance between France and the Hapsburgs.

The Hamlet

• The Hamlet was built by Marie Antoinette at Versailles.

• At the Hamlet Marie Antoinette could play-act the role of a peasant.

The Third Estate

• At the meeting of the Estates General the Third Estate demands a more democratic National Assembly.

• Louis rejects their demands and locls them out.

The Tennis Court Oath

• The Third Estate reconvenes on a tennis court.

• The Third Estate vows to stay together until a constitution is created.

The Bastille

• On July 14, 1789 a mob storms and captures the Bastille.

• The old regime ends and the French Revolution has begun.

The National Assembly

• The National Assembly is created.

• Temporary Gov’t.• Suspends the

privileges of the 1st and 2nd estates.

• A constitution is written with a limited monarchy.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

• The National Assembly adopts the Declaration of the Rights of Man.

• Guaranteed all men: Were born free and

with equal rights, liberty, property, and security.

Political Groups

• Girondins were the moderates.

• Supported a Limited monarchy.

• Jacobins were the radicals.

• Favored a republic.

The Flight to Varennes

• On June 20, 1791 Louis and his family attempt to flee France.

• Louis was caught and returned to Paris on June 25, 1791.

The Execution of Louis XVI

• Neighboring countries invade France.

• Believing Louis conspired with the invasion and fearing a return to absolutism Louis is executed on January 21, 1793.

Life, Liberty, and Fraternity

• Life• Liberty• Fraternity became the rallying cry

of the French Revolution.

Maximilien Robespierre

• Robespierre became a powerful force within the Jacobins.

• Robespierre’s and the Jacobins controlled France during The Terror.

• The Jacobins formed The Committee of Public Safety

The Terror

• The Committee of Public Safety virtually governed France for a year.

• During this time anyone suspected of being disloyal to the revolution were hunted down, tried, and executed.

Marie Antoinette

• Marie Antoinette was accused of conspiring with Austria to overthrow the revolution.

• She was found guilty of treason and guillotined in October 1793.

The Terror

• In fear for their own lives members of the Committee eventually turn against Robespierre and he is guillotined in July 1794.

The Directory1795-1799

• After the death the Jacobins are overthrown.

• Moderates again control France.

• France recieves a new government called The Directory.

Results of the French Revolution

• Democratic ideals of: Liberty, Equality, and Fraternity.

• Nationalism• Influenced other people to seek democratic

governments.