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Louis XVI Calls The Estates-General
Late 1788, France was on the verge of bankruptcy, bread riots were spreading, nobles were fearful of taxes and were denouncing royal tyranny. Cahiers called for fairer taxes, regular Estates-General meetings & freedom of the press. In June, 1789, the 3rd Estate declared themselves to be the National Assembly & claimed to represent the people of France. Then, delegates took the Tennis Court Oath & swore never to separate & to meet wherever required until a good consititution was made. -
Revolt & National Assembly Acts
In 1789 to 1791, the moderate phase of the National Assembly turned France into a constitutional monarchy. The "Great Fear" was also happening, which was when rumors ran wild. Then, peasants unleashed fury on nobles who were trying to reimpose medievil dues. The 2nd estate was ended & the Declaration of the Rights of Man was created. Women marched to Versailles & forced the king and queen to come back. The Catholic church was taken and it then belonged to France. A constitution was made. -
A Divided French Society & Financial Troubles
France was divided into 3 estates. The 1st consisted of church people, the 2nd was of nobility, and the 3rd was most of the population. The Seven Years War & the American Revolution strained treasury even further and costs generally rose throughout the 1700's. Because of this, 1/2 the government income from taxes went to paying interest on debt. Bad harvests also sent food prices soaring & brought hunger to many people. -
Parisians Storm the Bastille
More than 800 Parisians assembled outside the Bastille, demanding weapons & gunpowder. After the mob broke through defenses there, they killed the commander, 5 guards, and they released the prisoners there, though no weapons were found. The fall of the Bastille was a wake up call for Louis XVI. -
Threats from Abroad
Because of Louis XVI's failed escape, in August 1791, king of Prussia & Austrian emperor issued the Declaration of Pilnitz. In it, 2 monarchs threatened to intervene to protect French monarchy. Then, in October 1791, the newly elected Legislative Assembly took office & survived for less than a year because of economic turmoil. By 1791, many working class men & women of Paris demanded a republic. In April 1792-1815, the French revolutionaries & European monarchs fought on and off. -
Radicals Take Over
In October, 1791, the newly elected Legislative Assembly took office. It was faced with crises at home & economic problems caused more turmoil. Working-class men & women pushed the revolution into more radical action, and by 1791, they demanded a republic. Working class men and women were supported by Radicals in Legislative Assembly & moderate reformers and political officials opposed the radicals. In 1792, French & European fought on and off until 1815. -
Robespierre & the Reign of Terror
In response to threats to France, the Convention created the Committee of Public Safety, a 12-member committee that had almost absolute power as it battled to save the revolution. It was led by Robespierre, who was a big part of the Reign of Terror. (Sept 1793-July 1794) He was arrested and then the next day he was executed July 28, 1794 & afterwards Guillotine executions slowed dramatically. -
Monarchy is Abolished
In 1793, the revolution entered a radical phase. On August 10, 1792, Parisians stormed Tuileries royal palace & slaughtered the king's guards. Also, citizens attacked prisons, which led to 2000 prisoners dead. Suffrage was extended to all male citizens. Then, the king was executed and the following October, Marie Antoinette was executed too. In the end, another constitution was made and France became a republic. -
The Third Stage of the Revolution
In reaction to the Terror, in 1795, moderates made the third constitution since 1789. It et up a Directrory, which held power from 1795-1799. With the Directory, peace was made with Prussia & Spain, but war continued with Austria & Great Britain. In the 1797 election, constitutional monarchy supporters won most seats in legislature. Politicians turned to Napoleon to use him to advance their own goals, but it totally back-fired on them & Napoleon became an emeror instead. -
Spread of Nationalism
By 1793, France was a nation in arms & troops marched to a new song. People began going to festivals celebrating the nation and the revolution. State schools were set up to replace religious ones & programs were set up to help the poor, old soldiers and war widows. The government also abolished slavery in France's caribbean colonies. By 1799, France had dramatically changed because of the revolution.
