The French Revolution was sparked by widespread economic and social problems, weak leadership from King Louis XVI, and new ideas from the Enlightenment. It led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and feudal system, and established France as a republic with a constitution and rights for citizens, though the Revolution also descended into a Reign of Terror under Robespierre before stabilizing under the Directory.
The French Revolution was sparked by widespread economic and social problems, weak leadership from King Louis XVI, and new ideas from the Enlightenment. It led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and feudal system, and established France as a republic with a constitution and rights for citizens, though the Revolution also descended into a Reign of Terror under Robespierre before stabilizing under the Directory.
The French Revolution was sparked by widespread economic and social problems, weak leadership from King Louis XVI, and new ideas from the Enlightenment. It led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and feudal system, and established France as a republic with a constitution and rights for citizens, though the Revolution also descended into a Reign of Terror under Robespierre before stabilizing under the Directory.
The French Revolution was sparked by widespread economic and social problems, weak leadership from King Louis XVI, and new ideas from the Enlightenment. It led to the overthrow of the French monarchy and feudal system, and established France as a republic with a constitution and rights for citizens, though the Revolution also descended into a Reign of Terror under Robespierre before stabilizing under the Directory.
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FRENCH REVOLUTION 1789
• Important turning point in the history of
Europe • Ended Feudalism and absolute monarchy • Ended influence of Church on government • Dividing line between old era and new era in Europe CAUSES OF FRENCH REVOLUTION
• Structure of the French society
• Government of King Louis XVI weak • Economic Crisis 1787 - 1797 • Enlightenment/Intellectual Movement - Voltaire, Montesquieu, Diderot, Rousseau • Influence of the American War of Independence • Immediate Cause The Structure of the French Society • Society divided into 3 Estates: First, Second and Third Estate. • First Estate was made up of the clergy - those connected with the church – bishops and priests. • They were rich and powerful, respected, owned land and property and controlled the institutions of the government. • Population of France was about 23 million and the First Estate was made up of less than 100,000 people. • They were exempted from paying taxes. Conti… • The Second Estate was made up of nobles and lords. (400,000) In the earlier times France was made up of several small districts, each under lords/nobles. • Later when it became united under a single kingdom, these lords and nobles were given titles and land and were given positions in the govt. 3/5 of the land was under their control. • They paid no tax. Conti… • Third Estate –All those who did not belong to the First and Second estate were classified under the Third Estate. • These include peasants, farmers, tradesmen, businessmen and professionals like teachers, lawyers, doctors and others. • Members of the 3rd Estate had to pay tax but had no political rights. • The poor who formed the majority suffered the most. Govt. of Louis XV1 weak • Louis XV1 became king in 1774. He was weak, despotic and could not control his advisors. His wife Marie Antoinette was disliked by the people. • The king even claimed “the state is myself”. He abused his power by arresting and imprisoning those who went against him. Economic Crisis 1787-1797 • Although the economy of the country was generally good but there were periods of severe economic crisis, especially between 1787-1797, when harvest was poor, causing shortage of food, price of flour increased many-fold and this affected farmers badly. • Nobles experienced cash-flow problem. So they taxed the peasants even more. Enlightenment/Intellectual Movement (1770-1790) • The spread of new ideas by the Intellectual Movement. • Voltaire (1694-1778), his book “Philosophical Letters” (1733) which upheld the principle of freedom to think, talk, religion and government based on laws. Conti… • Montesquieu (1689-1755) who wrote “The Spirit of the Laws” (1748) believed that freedom of the people could be assured by limiting the powers of the government through laws. • His famous doctrine is the Doctrine on the “Separation of Powers”. –Legislative, Executive and Judiciary. • Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) his ideas on Government is found in his book “The Social Contract” (1762). • He stressed the government should be based on the will of the people. The govt. must fulfill its contract with the people. If they fail the people have the right to replace it. • All these philosophers became an inspiration to the people. Influence of the American War of Independence (1775-1783) • French Revolution was also inspired by the American War of Independence. • One of the leaders of the FR was Marquis de Lafayette who had taken part in the American War against the English. • Other French soldiers who were also inspired by the democratic ideas advocated by the Americans. IMMEDIATE CAUSE
• Financial Crisis, King wanted nobles (2
Estate) to pay tax • New Parliament met on 5 May 1789 • 3rd Estate who represented 95% of the population was unhappy with voting system • 17 June 1789 members from 3rd Estate formed the National Assembly Conti… • 20th June 1789 - members of National Assembly took oath from the tennis court – ‘Tennis Court Oath’ • King Louis XVI tried to suppress the Assembly. Demonstrations and riots broke out in Paris EVENTS OF THE REVOLUTION
• 14 July 1789 revolutionaries storm Bastille
• Revolutionaries form government in Paris • National Guard was formed under Lafayette • Feudal system, tax to church abolished • 26 August 1789 National Assembly approved ‘Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen’ Cont… • Nobles fled France (emigres) King and Queen jailed • Other European countries were threatened by developments in France • September 1792 France declared a Republic • Government under the Jacobins, leader Robespierre – He starts a ‘Reign of Terror’ Conti… • King and Queen killed in 1793 by Guillotine • Moderates seize power, kill Robespierre and Reign of Terror ends • In October 1794 government comes under a Directory System EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTION
• Ended Feudal system, peasants free, could
own land • Privileges enjoyed by nobles, priests and church abolished • France became a Republic based on written Constitution • United with strong feelings of Nationalism • Revolution threatened the rest of Europe.