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France’s economy in decline
The economy started to decline. Bad weather caused crop failures, the cost of living rose quickly, and many people faced starvation. Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette didn’t help one bit; Louis didn’t pay attention to the problems around him and Marie made things worse with her spending habits. With new ideas and problems comes the fall of the economy and there is a slim chance France will prosper again (Ch 23 Sec 1.2). Image -
The Estates-General
Louis XVI dismissed the problem until he had no money left. The Second Estate then urged him to call a meeting to approve a new tax. This meeting took place in Versailles. Louis sided with the two greater estates yet the Third Estate wanted reform but the other two and Louis didn’t think it was a good idea and it left the Third Estate to reform the country on their own terms (Ch 23 Sec 1.2-1.3). Image -
The National Assembly
During the meeting, the decision of keeping the medieval rules was upheld. However, a suggestion was made to have the Third Estate delegates name themselves the “National Assembly” and pass laws and reforms in the name of the French. On this day, the National Assembly was officially established. This proclaimed the end of absolute monarchy and the start of a representative government, or a revolution (Ch 23 Sec 1.3). Image -
The Tennis Court Oath
Three days after the declaration, Louis XVI locked them out of the assembly room. As a result, the Assembly went to an indoor tennis court and pledged to not stop their complaints until a new constitution of France is made. They were tired of having the burden of taxes and lacking privileges; they wanted a government where the people will have some part in making the decisions of new laws and others (French Revolution Pt. 1). Image -
Bastille Day
Louis is using military means to disband the Assembly and foreign troops were coming to massacre Paris. This rumor caused everyone to gather weapons so they could defend the city. Mobs stormed Bastille, a prison in Paris, in search of arms; they overwhelmed the guards, seized the building and hacked the prison guards to death. This was the fall of Bastille and another act of revolution to the French people (Ch 23 Sec 1.3). Image -
The Great Fear
Since Bastille Day, rumors kept spreading around France. In October, Parisian women rioted over the rising price of bread. They demanded action from the National Assembly about it before placing the blame on the king and queen. They demanded that they return to Paris and Louis agreed, and soon left Versailles. This signalled the change of power and the reforms that are about to spread throughout France (Ch 23 Sec 1.4. Image -
France at War
Prussia threatened that Paris will be destroyed if any member of the royal family is harmed. In response, a mob infiltrated, massacred people, and captured the royal family. The Legislative then set aside the 1971 Constitution, abolishing the monarchy, founding a republic. The people were acting and living off on fear because France wanted a change (Ch 23 Sec 2.3). IMAGE -
The Fate of the Church
The Old Regime was long dead and there has been a series of new reforms. First, the Assembly took over the whole Church and declared that Church officials should be elected and paid as state officials; as a result, they lost their lands and political independence. Many people disagreed with the assembly’s reforms. They continued the path to revolution and soon enough, the ways that everyone had are now gone (Ch 23 Sec 2.1). Image -
The Reign of Terror
Maximilien Robespierre became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety. His rule is much like a dictator’s that this period is known as the “Reign of Terror.” The chief task was to protect the Revolution against its enemies. During this terror, many people were murdered because of the flimsiest of charges. Robespierre supported the Revolution and he was able to keep it going because of this intimidating act (Ch 23 Sec 2.4). Image -
Napoleon in Power
France lost control of its political situation and the confidence of the French people. Napoleon’s troops soon drove out most of the members of the national legislature with the remaining ones voting to dissolve the Directory. Napoleon was named the first consul and he treated his title like he was a dictator. France was still weak and now that Napoleon has most of the power, there is nothing anyone could do (Ch 23 Sec 3.1). Image
