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The French Revolution

This article explores the political, historical, and Enlightenment causes of the French Revolution, highlighting key events, figures, and documents that shaped this pivotal moment in history and its lasting impact on society.

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The French Revolution

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  1. The French Revolution

  2. REVIEW • Causes: Colonists did not receive rights they were entitled to; Forced to pay taxes they disagreed with • Enlightenment writers spoke of equality & independence based on reason • Constitution created government with power divided between state & national, then further divided between branches • Ultimate power was with citizens

  3. ESSENTIAL QUESTION

  4. Political Causes • Changes in society were needed • Classes divided into 3 groups called estates • 1st Estate: Priests & Church officials; Paid no taxes • 2nd Estate: Nobles; Special Privileges: Low taxes, Collected feudal dues • 3rd Estate: Largest; Commoners: Bourgeoise (Merchants, Professionals, Shopkeepers), Urban Workers, Peasants

  5. Historical Causes • Tax rates based on social class & location • Towns taxed each others goods, which hurt trade • King sold rights to collect certain taxes, so government couldn’t collect taxes efficiently • Many saw this as unfair • Borrowed money to pay for wars

  6. Historical Causes • High cost of assisting colonists caused financial crisis • Government asked nobles to surrender privileges to help pay off debt • Nobles told government they must hold Estate General (meeting where each estate represented)

  7. Enlightenment • Many unwilling to accept divine rights, & privilege positions of clergy & nobles • Bourgeoise & some nobles/clergy felt this way • Underground press criticized king and queen

  8. Major Figures • Abbe Sieyes – Enlightenment Thinker • Only 3rd Estate was productive & useful • Called nobles & clergy parasites • Robespierre – Leader of Committee of Public Safety • Used terror to rule France • Executed when Convention turned on leaders

  9. National Assembly • 3rd Estate: Most representatives, largest group • Declared themselves a National Assembly when General Estate met • Abolished privileges of nobles & confiscated church land to pay off debts

  10. National Documents • Declaration of Rights of Man • Issued by National Assembly • Power rested on consent of the people • All Frenchmen were free & equal • Constitution created, made France a constitutional monarchy (king’s power shared with legislature)

  11. Poor Harvest (1789) • People of Paris starving, hold King hostage • Monarchy overthrown, France becomes a republic (no king, people elect representatives) • Convention (single chamber legislature) elected

  12. Reign of Terror • French Republic seen as threat by other Europeans • Parts of France still in open rebellion • Committee of Public Safety takes power • Used savage oppression to stop rebellion • Government arrested anyone they wanted • Executions numbered as high as 40,000

  13. Foreign War • Introduced mass conscription (all males required to serve in army) to defend France • Large army was successful, threat ended • Convention turned against its leaders • Robespierre & followers executed • Power returns to moderates

  14. Impact • Challenged idea of divine right & privileges of nobles • Removed feudal restrictions, cleared way for capitalism • Power shifted from king to bourgeois • Served as model for citizens in other countries seeking political change

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