Progression of the French Revolution

Old Regime

Oct 16, 1789

Countries were governed by absolutism which is the monarch was given absolute power to rule the country.

• The french were divided into 3 estates
  • 1st- Clergy (Upper and Lower)
  • 2nd Nobility (Privileged -pay no tax
    • 3rd Bourgeoisie (Middle Class) -wanted respect and change, and paid heavy taxes -problems: Ineffevtive farming met
      
• Problems before the French Revolution - Govt. is close to bankrupcy, tax system is unfair

National Assembly

Apr 10, 1791

-Abolished special privilegdes
-declaration of the rights of man and citizen
-state control of the clergy (church lost right to collect tax
-constitution of 1791 (limits king's power, equal treatment)
-business aided: no duties, no strikes

Legislative Assembly

May 10, 1792

Political Spectrum: divided up into the right wing and left wing.
- reactionaries: wanted the old regime back, opposed to the reforms of revolution, nobles /loyalists
- radical: wanted drastic change, no king, republic
- Moderates: middle class, they wanted an end to special privlages for the nobles , king with limited power and a parliment they dominated
- The Plain
- group of undecided desputes, made up of the convention, became more radical
-Louis XVI
-tried to escape

National Convention

Mar 10, 1795

-all males can vote regardless of poverty ownership
-national convention meets from 1792-1795
-metric system, dechristianization
-new calendar, military schools.
-vote on the king's fate:all vote guilty, by one to execute.
-mountain: execute king
-girondin: keep alive

Directory

Mar 10, 1795

-By 1795, moderates back in power
-committee of 5 men govern miserable
-weak, inefficient and dishonest
-France still in debt, poor are still suffering