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Divided French Society
France was divided, into 3 estates.
First estate: clergy
Second estate: nobles
Third estate: everyone else (97%)
Third estate was the most diverse, at the top was the bourgeosie, middle class people, merchants, lawyers, journalists, doctors, and etc. The were educated people. At the bottom were the peasnts. Everone had to pay taxes. -
Period: to
The French Revolution
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Louis XVI Calls for The Estates
The estates made a list of complaints for Louis XVI to tackle. Complaints were cutting down taxes, having freedom of the press, and to have daily meetings of the Estate meetings. Third estate became the National Assembly. Clergy and Nobles join the assembly because the rumors around Paris saying the King is going to dissolve the assembly. -
Parsians Storm The Bastille
Paris stole spotlight from the assembly. They demanded weapons and gunpowder believed to be in the Bastille. Parisans busted through defenses. Killed many people and free many prisoners. It was a wake up call for Louis. -
Revolt/National Assembly Acts
Parisans storming the Bastille triggered the National Assembly. Nobles wanted to end their privileges. Agreed to:
uphold manorial dues
exclusive hunting rights
special leagal status
exemption from taxes -
Women March
6,000 women march to Paris demanded bread. Alot of anger was toward Marie Antoinette because, of her pleasuring and wealthy life. The women refused to leave until the king met their demand. He had to agree against his will, they brought him and his family back to Paris, Louis XVI was now a virtual prisoner. -
The National Assembly
National Assembly put the French Catholic Church under state control, under the civil Constitution of the clergy. They completed their main task by creating the Consttution. The Consttution set up a limited monarchy in place of the absolute monarchy. A new legislative Assembly had the power to make laws, collect taxes and decide on tssues of war and peace. -
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 Declaration of Pilnitz the 2 monarchs threatened to get themselves 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 the royl family feld to the Legislative Aseembly. But now a new group called the National Convention(radicals) took over the National Assembly. -
Radicals
The radicals calling the elections of a new legislation(the convention) they voted to abolish the monarch and establish a French republic. Jacobins controlled the covention, he set out to erase all traces of the old order, they seized lands of the nobles and abolished titles of the nobility. -
The Trial
The convention put Louis XVI on a trial as a traitor. The Moderates still called for Louis XVI life. But unlucky for king Louis XVI, he was convicted by a single vote. So he was sentenced to death, later the king was beheaded by the Guillotine. -
Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was jailed 8 months after King Louis XVI death. She had 3 charges against her,high treason, depleading the treasure and incest with her son. After a while she was also beheaded from the gulliotine. -
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
Robespierre rising to the leadership of the Committee of Public Safety, and his dedication to the revolution gave him the nickname"incorruptable. He promoted religious toleration and wanted to abolish slavery. After a while the committee turned on thecommitte of public safety, Robespierre was arrested, the next day he was also beheaded! Finally after the heads of the radicals, and Robespierre fell, executions slowed dramatically. -
The Third Stage of the Revoltuion
A five man directory and a two house legislative was elected by male citizens of property. Middle class and the Bourgeoisie were the dominant force during this entire stage. And peace was made with Prussia and Spain, but war began with Austria and Great Britain. -
Spread Of Nationalism
Now that the Revolution was coming to an end the government ralliedsons and daughtersof the Revoltuionto defend the nation itself. French people attended civic festivals that celebrated the nation and the French Revoltuion.
