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Reasons for rebellion
Social stratification- The peasants and lower class were upset that they made up most of the population but had the least say in government. They also paid higher taxes then the nobility. Enlightenment- A few philosophes like John Locke, Montesquieu, and Rousseau showed the people of France that there are other ways to run their government and that they can acheive the same equality as the people in the Americas. -
Reasons for rebellion 2
Economic failure- King Louis the XIV lead the country into debt with many years of deficit spending and long costly wars. He taxed the lower classes to repay this debt. They also had a poor harvest which caused the bread prices to sky rocket. It cost almost a months wages for one loaf and with bread being their primary food. Weak Government- The government couldnt stop the financial crisis that they were in and the estates general took away the kings power. -
Estates General
The Estates General hasnt been summoned by the king in over 175 years. They meet in Versailles. King louis XIV needed to call the meeting to reform taxes but the people decided that this was a perfect time to bring the absolute monarch under control and to guarantee their own rights. Each of the three estates brought grievances to share and highlight major problems in the governement and society. -
Tennis Court Oath
After weeks of no forward movement in the Estates General, propertied men(lawyers, officials, and writers) of the third estate declared themselves to be the national assembly. The place that they meet was locked and guarded so they all moved to a nearby tennis court and swore to never separate and to meet until they got the rights and a just constitution that they demanded. -
Bastille
In Paris there were rumors that royal soldiers were going to occupy the capitol. The more than 800 Parisians that gathered in front of the medieval fortress which was used for holding political prisoners wanted to be armed for when the royal soldiers arrived. They demanded that the commander of the Bastille let them in to gain weapons and gunpowder. The commander refused so the enraged crowd stormed the fortress killing the commander and the five guards.This was a huge wake up call for Louis XVI -
The National Assembly Acts
Nobles in the National Assembly decided to vote to end their priviledges. In late August they developed a document called the Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen. It stated that every Frenchman is born free and equal in rights. They also have the right to liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression. It also stated that every Frenchman could hold office no matter virtues or talents -
Monarchy is Abolished
A National convention met to vote to end the monarchy and establish a republic. During the first few months of the republic they put the king and queen on trial as a traitor and was sentenced to death by the guillotine on January 21, 1793. -
Reign of Terror
The convention that voted to create a republic later voted to create another committee called the Committee of Public Safety. It was made up of 12 men who were in charge oftrials and executions. The people that were going on trial were anyone who went against the revolution. Maximilien Robespierre rose to lead this committee. He was one of the chief architects of the reign of terror. About 300,000 were arrested and 17,000 were executed. On July 27, 1794 Robespierre was arrested and executed. -
Napoleon
After Robespierre was executed the executions era died dramatically. The Convention developed a third constitution but with corrupt leaders not solving important issues and rising bread prices the threat of chaos was evident. The politicians turned to Napoleon, a successful war hero to fulfill their own goals but he soon became ruler of France. -
Revolution
The title citizen was applied to people of all social classes. Powdered wigs and crazy fashions were replaced with practical styles of the sans-culottes. -
Spread of Nationalism
During and after the revolution, nationalism spreads throughout France. The people used to have pride and loyalty to their local authorities and now they are focused on the country itself. The French people start holding festivals and celebrations in honor of their nation. They even make songs about the revolution which become extremely popular.
