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Enlightenment Ideas
In the late 1700s, new views inspired by the American Revolution questioned the existing ways that society and government had been formed. They were challenged to allow democracy. It also allowed the people to demand equality and liberty, shaping the new views. This is important because it helped drive the revolution - the power of one’s own ideas. -
The Three Estates
The Estates were a leftover social and political system from the Old Regime. Under this system, two of the estates had privileges including access to high offices and exemptions from paying taxes. The other, third estate, had to pay taxes, suffer from starvation, and included over 80% of France’s population. This is important as it is what drove a wedge between the people of France and caused the anger that started the ideas of the revolution. -
Louis XVI in Control
Louis drove the nation of France into large debt. His wife didn't help, as she was coined the term “Madame Deficit.” His weak decision-making skills proved to allow problematic matters to worsen, increasing the unhappiness of the people. This connects to the French Revolution as it caused a majority to be unhappy under this ruler, and since the ruler does little about it, they feel they must take action themselves. -
Formation of the National Assembly
From the three estates, the third was eager to make changes in the government. They requested that each delegate gets a vote, which gave themselves an advantage in their search for power. They soon name themselves the “National Assembly” to help pass laws and reforms in the name of the French people. This is important to the revolution as it ends the absolute monarchy and begins a representative government, making it a deliberate first act of revolution. -
Storming the Bastille
People began preparing weapons at home in case of an attack against Paris. They believed that either foreign troops would massacreFrench citizens, or that Louis himself would use military force to dismiss the National Assembly. The day was one of war, with mobs storming Bastille and killing prison commanders and guards. They kept the heads and paraded them around the streets on pikes. It is important because it is a great symbolic act of revolution for the French people. -
The Declaration of the Right of Man and of the Citizen
The National Assembly adopted this new statement of revolutionary ideals, embodying that everyone is born free and equal in terms of rights. This came following long nights of noblemen making speeches of their love of liberty and equality, motivated by fear. This document also guaranteed citizens equal justice, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion. -
Louis tries to Escape
As the National Assembly reformed the relationship between church and state, Louis XVI was thinking about his fate as a monarch. Many supporters believed that the times of the monarchy were over and found France unsafe, thus leaving the country. Louis himself tried to flee the country to the Austrian Netherlands, however, he was caught at the border and returned to Paris under guard. This is significant to the revolution as it shows the changing times’ effect on the old governmental system. -
Factions in France
Once the National Assembly completed the new constitution, the King lost much of his authority. They created a new body called the legislative assembly, which was able to approve or reject declarations of war and create laws. The seating was also changed: the radicals sat on the left, moderates sat in the center, and conservatives sat on the right. This was important to the revolution as it changed the way laws are created and reformed, and the seating arrangements still hold true today. -
France at War
After losing the absolute monarchy, other countries such as Austria and Prussia urged Louis to restore his position as an absolute monarch. This was for fear of revolutionary ideas spreading across Europe. The legislative assembly responded by declaring war. It was during this that Louis XVI’s role of the king was reduced to common citizen and prisoner. Eventually, he was beheaded. This is important as the National Convention was formed, and the old king beheaded as a result of the revolution. -
Robespierre Takes Control
A Jacobin leader, Robespierre slowly gained power after war was stirring up in France. He lead by slowing diminishing every trace of France’s past, doing things like creating a new calendar and closing churches in Paris. He also became a leader for public safety, whose chief task was to protect the revolution from its enemies. This supported the revolution as Robespierre encouraged it, helping to enforce its values and enabled French citizens to remain true to the revolutionary ideas.
