Revolution Brings Reform & Terror

1. Revolution Brings Reform & Terror Chapter 23 Section 2

2. I The Assembly Reforms France • August 4th 1789 saw changes in the French gov’t that took away the feudal privileges of the Frist and Second Estate • Commoners & Peasants = nobles & clergy

3. A. The Rights of Man • A Declaration of the Rights of Man= set of revolutionary ideals which reflected influence of Enlightenment & Declaration of Independence • “men born free” rights are life, liberty, property…” • Life, Liberty, & Fraternity became slogan of the Revolution • Declaration of the Rights of Man DID NOT apply to women • Olympe de Gouges write the Declaration of the Rights of Womenwas rejected and beheaded as enemy of rev.

4. B. State Controlled Church • Many of the national Assembly’s reforms focused on the relationship between church and state • Assembly took over church lands & priests were to be electedCath. Church looses political independence • Reasons for the Assembly’s actions were economic • Did not want to tax the bourgeoisie hwo were supporters of the rev. so they instead taxed church officials to pay off France’s debt • Move to tax and take land from church angered the conservative peasants who supported their priestsdrove a wedge between peasants & bourgeoisie • After this, peasants now oppose further rev. changes

5. II Conflicting Goals Cause Divisions • The National Assembly argues over a new constitution for 2 years • Limited Monarchy • National Assembly created a limited constitutional monarchy • Striped king of his authority and gave it to legislative Assembly • King would hold executive power to uphold laws but Assemblymen would create laws • National Assembly creates new Constitution and hands over its power to the Legislative Assembly • Could create laws and approve or prevent war

6. B. Factions Split France • Old prob such as food shortage and gov’t debt still remained • These problems Revolution leaders turn against each other • Legislative Assembly split into 3 groups • Radicals= opposed king & idea of monarchy. Wanted commoner to have power in a republic • Moderates= wanted some changes in gov’t but not as many as radicals • Conservatives= upheld idea of limited monarcy & wanted few changes in govt

7. Emigres= nobles and other who had Fled France during peasant uprising were even more extreme than the three groups • Hoped to undo the revolution and restore the Old Regime • Most radical = sans-culottes • Wage earners who wanted greater voice in gov’t

8. III War and Extreme MeasuresA. War with Austria • France had to deal w/ reforms at home and disastrous foreign wars • Other countries feared that slave revolts could spread to their lands • French radicals wanted to spread rev. to all ppl of Europe • Legislative Assembly declares war on Austria when they suggest they put Louis back on throne • War began badly for poorly prepared French • Parisians eventually capture Louis and his family and imprison them

9. September massacres= Parisians storm prisons after hearing rumore of Austrian & Prussian soldiers converging on Paris and kill thousands of prisoners • Faced with threat frpm radicals the Legislative Assembly declared the king deposed, dissolved their assembly, & called for election of new legislature • National Convention= new legislative body

10. B. Radicals Execute the King • Men & women of middle class joined pol. Clubs • Most radical= Jacobin Club which wanted to remove king and establish a rep. • National Convention meeting abolished monarchy and established France as a republic • Louis, now a common citizen, was tried and found guilty of treason • Beheaded by Guillotine

11. C. France’s Citizen Army • First prob. Of the new republic was the war with Austria and Prussia • GB, Holland, & spain join Austria and Prussia known as the First Coalition • National Convention passes a draft • 18-40 yrs. Of age and even included women

12. IV Terror Grips FranceA. Robespierre Assumes Control • As various leaders struggle for power Maximilien Robespierre gains control and attempts to build a republic by erasing all traces of France’s past monarchy • Families named Leroy (king) change names to seem less political • Even kings, queens, & jakals in decks of cards were changed by Robespierre

13. Robespierre becomes head of Committee of Public Safety • CPS decided who was an enemy of the republic • He governed nearly as a dictator • this period control known as the Reign of Terror • “enemies” that troubled him the most were members of the rev. who challenge his leadershiponly crime was that they were less radical then Robespierre

14. V End of Terror • National Convention new they were not safe from Robespierre so they turned against him • The next day he was beheaded and the radical phase of the rev was over • French public opinion shifted to the right because ppl were tired of the terror • Moderates draft a new plan of gov’tpower in hands of upper middle class • 2 house legislature & executive house of 5 men • Napolean Bonaparte chosen to command French armies