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Period: to
The French Revoltuion
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Divided French Society
France was divided into 3 estates.
First Estate: Clergy
Second Estate: Nobles
Third Estate: anyone else
The Third Estate was the most diverse, at the top was the bourgeoise, middle class people, merchants, lawyers, journalists, doctors, and etc. They were educated people. At the bottom were the peasants.Everyone had to pay taxes. -
Louis XIV Calls For The Estates
The Estates made a list of complaints for Louis XIV to tackle. Complaints were cutting down taxes, having feedom of the press, and to have daily meetings of the Estate meetings. Third Estate became the National Assembly. Clergy and Nobles join the assebly because the rumors around Paris were saying the Kings is going to dissolve the assembly. -
Parisians Storm The Bastille
Paris stole spotlight from the assembly. They demanded weapons and gumpowder believed to be in the Bastille. Parisians busted through defenses. Killed many people and freed many prisioners. It was a wake up call for Louis. -
Revolt/ National Assembly Acts
Parisians storming the Bastille triggered the National Assembly. Nobles wanted to end their privllages. They agreed to uphold manorial dues, exclusive hunting rights, special legal states, and exemption from taxes. -
Civil War
Enlightment supporters enjoyed the reforms from the National Assembly, they actually saw French experiment as the new age for justice and equality. -
Threats Come From Abroad
The failed escape brought more hostile rumblings from abroad. King of Prussia and emporer of Austria who was Marie Antoinette's brother issued the Decleration of Pilnitz. The 2 monarchs threatened to get themsleves to get themsleves to protect the French monarchy. The revolutionaries took the threat seriously and got prepared for war. -
Monarchy Is Abolished
The royalists officers were deserting the French army trying to help restore the king's power. A huge crowd of Parisians stormed the royal palace. They slaughtered the king's guards, but to late in time because the royal family fled to the Legislative Assembly. But now a new group called the National Convention (radicals) took over the National Assembly. -
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
Robspierre rising to the leadership of the comittee of Public Safety and his dedication to the revolution, gave him the nickname incorruptible. He promoted religious toleration and wanted to abolish slavery. After a while the committe turned on the committte of Public Safety. Robspierre was arrested and the next day he was beheaded. Finally after the head of the radicals, and Robspierre fell, executions slowed dramatically. -
The Third Stage of the Revolution
A five man directory and a two house legislative was elected by male citizens of property. Middle class and Bourgeoisie were the dominant force during this entire stage. Peace was made with Prussia and Spain, but war began with Austria and Great Britian. -
Spread of Nationalism
Now that the Revolution was coming to an end the government rallied sons and daughters of the Revolution to defend the nation itself. It dislodged the old social order, overthrown the monarchy, and brought the church under state control. French people attended civic festivals that celebrated the nation and the French Revolution.
