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Three Estates
In the 1770s, the people of France were divided into 3 groups or estates. The first and second estates enjoyed privileges such as having power in the government and paying minimum to no taxes. The third estate, which made up 97% of the population paid 50% tax and had no power in the government.
This is significant since inequality in economic conditions caused members of the the third estate to want change
Reference(https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804158/View) -
Economic Trouble
By the 1780s, France was in debt because they had funded the American Revolution. Although production and trade expanded rapidly, cost of living increased and burden of taxes made the poor people poorer. In addition, bad weather resulted in crop failure, which added more burden to the poor.
This is significant because this added to the dissatisfaction of the people.
Reference(https://courses.vhslearning.org/d2l/le/content/469495/viewContent/3804159/View) -
Weak Leader
During the 1770s and 1780s, King Louis XVI and his wife, Marie Antoinette ruled France. King Louis was an indecisive ruler and his wife also gave him poor advice. He used the people's money to fund the American Revolution and Marie Antoinette also used the people's money for gowns, jewels, gambling and gifts, which added to the anger of the people.
Had the French people had a more competent ruler, the French Revolution might not have happened. -
National Assembly
A meeting of the Estates General was called to vote on whether to add new tax for the Nobility. The Third Estate demanded unified meetings and equal voting rights for all delegates from each Estate but the King denied the request and ordered to proceed the old way. The disgruntled Third Estate voted to create a National Assembly, which would pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people.
This is the first deliberate act of revolution by the people.
Reference(Ebook Section1.3 ) -
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French Revolution
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Storming of Bastille
In Paris, there were rumors that the King would use military forces to dismiss the National Assembly. Others said that foreign troops were coming. On July 14th, a violent mob in Paris stormed the Bastille prison, brutally killing the prison's commander and guards. This event became a symbol of the French Revolution and marked a turning point in the struggle for liberty and the overthrow of the monarchy. Reference(Ebook Section 1.3) -
Great Fear
After the storming of the Bastille, rebellion and a wave of panic spread throughout France. The peasants took pitchforks and raided their nobles' houses to try to end feudalism. The people were still starving and the price of bread continued to increase so the women marched to Versailles to first demand the National Assembly to take action but in the end turned to the King and Queen.
This is significant since this panic resulted in ending feudalism in France but bringing unrest among nobility. -
Rights of Man
3 weeks after the Great Fear ended, the National Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It stated that "men are born and remain free and equal in rights". This document also guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion but did not apply to women. This is the first time the people have equal rights as anybody else, which is part of the reason why the French Revolution started. Reference(ebook section 2.1) -
France at War
Two years after the Rights of Man, the monarchy was striped of its authority and the Legislative Assembly had the power to create laws and determine when to go to war. This alarmed neighboring countries because they feared the revolution would break out in their own country. As a result, Austria and Prussia took action and the Legislative Assembly declared war.
This is significant because as a result of this war, the king was deposed and a new governing body, the National Convention took office -
Reign of Terror
The foreign countries were not the only enemies of France. Containing and controlling internal opposition to the Jacobins posed a significant challenge. Robespierre became the leader and wiped out every trace of France's past. He also used terror and the guillotine to control the people.
This is significant because after the French Revolution, the people were divided into three groups - radical, moderates and conservatives. Robespierre was the extreme of radicals and this was not working as well -
Napoleon
Even after the Reign of Terror ended, the prices of bread, salt and basic needs were still high and the people were weary of the Terror. Upon returning from Egypt, Napoleon ousted the majority of the ruling Directory and forced the remaining members to dissolve it. He also ended the war with Britain, Austria and Prussia, bringing peace for the first time in 10 years.
This is significant as it marks the end of the French Revolution
Reference:(ebook 3.1)