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    The French Revolution Notes

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    Waq
    The document provides an overview of the French Revolution in multiple parts. It discusses the economic and social conditions that led to the revolution, including the debts of Louis XVI and tax exemptions for the nobility. It describes the establishment of the Estates General and the growing demands for political reform. Key events of the revolution included the storming of the Bastille, the abolition of feudalism, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, radical factions grew and the monarchy was overthrown, leading to increasing violence and the Reign of Terror under Robespierre. Eventually the radical phase ended and a new constitution was introduced under the Directory.

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    The French Revolution Notes

    Uploaded by

    Waq
    841 views3 pages
    The document provides an overview of the French Revolution in multiple parts. It discusses the economic and social conditions that led to the revolution, including the debts of Louis XVI and tax exemptions for the nobility. It describes the establishment of the Estates General and the growing demands for political reform. Key events of the revolution included the storming of the Bastille, the abolition of feudalism, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, radical factions grew and the monarchy was overthrown, leading to increasing violence and the Reign of Terror under Robespierre. Eventually the radical phase ended and a new constitution was introduced under the Directory.

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    The document provides an overview of the French Revolution in multiple parts. It discusses the economic and social conditions that led to the revolution, including the debts of Louis XVI and tax exemptions for the nobility. It describes the establishment of the Estates General and the growing demands for political reform. Key events of the revolution included the storming of the Bastille, the abolition of feudalism, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, radical factions grew and the monarchy was overthrown, leading to increasing violence and the Reign of Terror under Robespierre. Eventually the radical phase ended and a new constitution was introduced under the Directory.

    Copyright:

    Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
    Download as DOC or read online from Scribd
    Download as doc
    841 views3 pages

    The French Revolution Notes

    Uploaded by

    Waq
    The document provides an overview of the French Revolution in multiple parts. It discusses the economic and social conditions that led to the revolution, including the debts of Louis XVI and tax exemptions for the nobility. It describes the establishment of the Estates General and the growing demands for political reform. Key events of the revolution included the storming of the Bastille, the abolition of feudalism, and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy. However, radical factions grew and the monarchy was overthrown, leading to increasing violence and the Reign of Terror under Robespierre. Eventually the radical phase ended and a new constitution was introduced under the Directory.

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    of 3

    THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, PART I: ROAD TO REVOLUTION

    I. IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES; IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES


    (Charles Dickens, Tale of Two Cities) 23 years of warfare in Europe.

    II. INFLUENCE OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT


    A. THE CALL FOR REFORM- reform leads to revolutions. Revolutions accrue when there is hope.
    B. ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM: REFORM FROM ABOVE- Russia Austria and Prussia.

    III. THE LEGACY OF LOUIS XIV AND XV


    A. LOUIS XIV- spent too much money. Attended to win the battles but lose the war. High taxed,
    religious persecution,
    B. LOUIS XV (R. 1715-1774), ENLIGHTENED DESPOTISM- Challenged by the nobles.

    IV. LOUIS XVI (R. 1774-1792) AND MARIE-ANTOINETTE: THE PERSONAL FACTORS- mediocre
    ruler who desired absolute power. Didn’t know much about his own country. Wife widely disliked.
    Live life to the fullest.
    V. PROBLEMS FACED BY LOUIS XVI- debts to the war. Lots of tax exemptions on certain societies.
    A. FINANCIAL REFORM- tax all land owners. Major threat to nobles.
    B. OPPOSITION TO TAXATION: THE ASSEMBLY OF NOTABLES, 1787-

    VI. THE ESTATES GENERAL-


    A. THE FIRST ESTATE: THE CATHOLIC CHURCH- had wealth owned 10% of land and did not pay
    direct taxes.
    B. THE SECOND ESTATE: THE NOBILITY- 1.5% did not pay direct taxes. Engaged in banking and
    finances. Old nobles of the sword and nobles of the robe.
    C. THE THIRD ESTATE: EVERYONE ELSE- paid most of the taxes.
    1. PEASANTS- could own land. Owned 40% of land. 1750-1780 a 44% increase in population. Had to
    pay a tax to the church called the tithe. Were called to work on state land.
    2. THE BOURGEOISIE (MIDDLE CLASS) - more discontent. Face limitation due to rank. Leaders of
    the revolution.
    3. URBAN WORKERS- active because of poverty. Suffered from population increase and inflation.
    1785- 1789 prices raised 65% and wages went up 22%. Food shortage and increase in bread price.
    D. THE ELECTIONS OF 1788 AND DEMANDS ON THE MONARCHY- wanted constitutional
    monarchy.
    E. VOTING BY ORDER, 5 MAY 1789- each estate would have one vote.

    THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: PART II: THE RULE OF THE MODERATES AND THE RISE OF THE
    EXTREMISTS

    I. FRAMEWORK FOR STUDY: CRANE BRINTON'S THEORY OF REVOLUTION


    A. RULE OF THE MODERATES: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 1789-91-
    B. RISE OF THE EXTREMISTS: THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1791-92
    C. REIGNS OF TERROR AND VIRTUE: THE NATIONAL CONVENTION,
    SEPTEMBER 1792-1795
    D. THERMIDOR PERIOD: THE DIRECTORY, 1795-99 AND THE
    NAPOLEONIC COUP D'ETAT

    II. THE MODERATE STAGE: THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 1789-1791


    A. ESTABLISHMENT
    1. ASSEMBLY OF THE ESTATES, 5 MAY1789
    2. VOTING BY ORDER- objected by third estate. Called for voting by head.
    3. PROCLAMATION OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, 17 JUNE 1789- third estate. Claimed
    sovereignty and claimed authority parallel to the king.
    4. THE TENNIS COURT OATH, 20 JUNE 1789- would not disband until France had a constitution that
    limited the monarch.
    B. THE MONARCH VERSUS THE ASSEMBLY- estates could all meet together.
    C. STORMING OF THE BASTILLE, 14 JULY 1789- was a prison used as weapons storage.
    1. CAUSES-
    2. EVENTS-
    3. LOUIS? S RESPONSE- sent away French troops. Made a show of accepting changes.
    D. THE GREAT FEAR, JULY-AUGUST 1789- peasants attacked food convoys, not paying taxes, and
    destroying records. Started forming there own military.
    E. THE END OF THE SYSTEM OF PRIVILEGE, 4 AUGUST 1789- a minority of nobles
    F. THE DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF MAN AND THE CITIZEN,
    27 AUGUST 1789- a French version of declaration of independence.
    G. THE OCTOBER (1789) DAYS: MOB ACTION AND THE MARCH TO VERSAILLES- demanded that
    the king return to Paris.
    H. THE FAILED ATTEMPT TO FLEE, JUNE 1791- organized a counter revolution. Recognized by
    post master. Accepted the fact of a constitutional monarchy.
    I. THE CONSTITUTION OF SEPTEMBER 1791- forced to accept a constitution. Based on a
    separation of powers. Citizenship was split into active and passive and only active citizens could vote.
    J. REFORMS OF THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY- 50 -70% of males over 25 could vote.
    1. END OF THE SYSTEM OF PRIVILEGE-
    2. HUMAN RIGHTS- guaranteed
    3. SUBORDINATION OF THE CHURCH TO STATE- Refractory, Constitutional bishops and priests
    were elected by the people and they had to swear an oath.
    a. THE AUGUST DECREES OF 1789-
    b. CONFISCATION AND SALE OF CHURCH LAND
    c. THE CIVIL CONSTITUTION OF THE CLERGY, 1790
    4. CONSTITUTIONALISM
    5. ADMINISTRATIVE AND JUDICIAL REFORMS
    6. ECONOMIC MEASURES
    7. NET EFFECT OF REFORMS

    III. THE RISE OF THE RADICALS: THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY, 1791-92- more opposition from
    the nobles. And peasants and clergy.
    A. INCREASING RADICALIZATION
    B. FACTIONS
    1. GIRONDONS- weak central government wanted war with Prussia and Germany.
    2. THE JACOBINS, ROBESPIERRE, AND THE SANS-CULOTTES – strong central government and
    government to control the economy. Called for a republic.
    C. THE FOREIGN THREAT AND WAR
    1. DECLARATION OF PILLNITZ, 27 AUGUST 1791
    2. ALLIANCE OF PRUSSIA AND AUSTRIA, FEBRUARY 1792-
    3. DECLARATION OF WAR, APRIL 1792- very threatened by Prussia and Austria. 2/3 of officers
    deserted.
    D. RADICAL TAKEOVER, AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1792- Brunswick manifesto promised to takeover
    Paris and punish the people.

    THE FRENCH REVOLUTION: PART III: THE RADICAL PHASE AND THE THERMIDOR PERIOD

    I. THE RADICAL PHASE: THE NATIONAL CONVENTION SEPT. 1792-1794-95; THE SECOND
    FRENCH REVOLUTION- republic was established with support of the Paris government.
    A. RADICAL DOMINATION: ROBESPIERRE, DANTON, MARAT, THE DUKE OF ORLEANS
    (PHILIPPE EGALITE) AND THE SANS-CULOTTES
    B. THE EXECUTION OF LOUIS XVI, JAN. 1793- the guillotine
    C. REFORMS-
    1. CONSTITUTION-1793 suspended for the war. Never went into effect.
    2. NEW CALENDAR, 22 SEPT. 1792-
    3. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY-
    4. ECONOMIC REFORMS prime magenitor and debtors prisoners. Nobles got estates confiscated.
    5. LAW OF THE MAXIMUM- fixed prices on bread.
    D. FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC THREATS-
    1. DEFENSE OF LA PATRIE, BIRTH OF MODERN NATIONALISM – national conscription. Total war-
    all resources used for the war time.
    2. FOREIGN THREATS
    3. DOMESTIC THREATS
    E. THE REIGN OF TERROR- ends justified the means. All blame on ropes pier
    1. THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY, APRIL 1793
    2. THE REPUBLIC OF VIRTUE, SUMMER 1793-SUMMER 1794
    3. REVOLUTIONARY TRIBUNALS, LAW OF 22 PRAIRIAL
    4. DECHRISTIANIZATION, THE CULT OF REASON- new religion. Deism-
    July 1795 ropes pier is arrested. “the revolution devoures their children.”

    II. WOMEN IN THE RADICAL PHASE


    A. SOCIETY FOR REVOLUTIONARY REPUBLICAN WOMEN, 1793-
    B. THE MALE PERSPECTIVE- Denatured viragos.
    C. BACKLASH
    1. CHARLOTTE CORDAY ASSASSINATED MARAT, JULY 1793
    2. BANNING OF WOMEN?S ASSOCIATIONS, OCT. 1793- women are illsuted for political thought.
    3. OLYMPIA DE GOUGES (1748-93), THE DECLARATION OF THE RIGHTS OF WOMAN AND THE
    FEMALE CITIZEN- wrote the declaration of women. Favored a constitutional monarch
    D. WOMEN?S ROLES IN TRANSITIONAL MOVEMENTS-

    III. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE TERROR-

    IV. THERMIDOREAN REACTION & THE CONSTITUTION OF 1795-


    A. THE FALL OF ROBESPIERRE, JULY 1795-
    B. THE CONSTITUTION OF 1795 & THE DIRECTORY, 1795-99- two house parliament. Elected by
    the council of elders. All males could vote. Property requirement except for soldiers.
    C. THE END OF THE TERROR AND THE EMERGENCE OF THE "WHITE TERROR" –
    D. SOCIAL AND RELIGIOUS CHANGES- a relaxation theater was brought back. Prostitution came
    back. Victim parties. The cult of reason was supream but catholic services was allowed.
    E. PROBLEMS FACED BY THE DIRECTORY- same problems came back. food shortages and
    tiredness more rebellion.

    V. THE NAPOLEONIC COUP, NOVEMBER 1799- had success of crushing the rebellion. Wanted to
    set up a dictatorships.

    VI. END OF A REVOLUTIONARY DECADE, 1789-99


    A. WHY FRANCE?- a degree of hope.
    B. A SERIES OF REVOLUTIONS
    1. THE IMPACT OF THE ENLIGHTENMENT: ?REVOLUTIONS ARE BORN IN THE REALM OF THE
    SPIRIT?- their has to be a revolutionary idea.
    2. THE REVOLUTION OF THE BOURGEOISIE- the middle class wanted political power. Carers open
    to people.
    3. AUTONOMOUS PEASANT REVOLUTION- wanted to be free of all the taxes they had to pay.
    4. UPRISING OF THE URBAN WORKERS- benefited from the law of the maximum.
    5. UPRISINGS OF WOMEN- working class women priticpated in riots. Did get some rights in marriage,
    devorce, property. Denide citizenship. Allowed a higher education.
    C. ENDURING CHANGES- a national state, liberal and secular and rational. The notion of citizenship
    to the state not the monarch. The constitution.
    1. THE MODERN STATE
    2. CONSTITUTIONS
    3. ECONOMIC RATIONALIZATION- more equal distribution of taxes.
    4. TOTAL WAR AND NATIONALISM- all resource went to the war fare. National wars took emphasis
    of religious wars.
    D. CONCLUSIONS- did attempt to change the nation. A mixed legacy.

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