-
Enlightenment
Enlightenment- the ideas of thinkers like Rousseau and John Locke and inspiration from the American Revolution would encourage the French people to revolt. -
Economic Failure
From costly wars and porr management the French government was heavily in debt. The peasants were also hit hard by soaring bread and flour prices. On top of that the third estate had to pay all of the taxes as the others were exempt. The desperation caused by these conditions drove many people towards the revolution. -
Weak Government
Although well meaning King Louis XVI was a indecisive and poor at managment. Also the third estate although comprising most of the population was often overruled by the other two estates which upset many of the French people. These reasons and the governments inability to cause change would result in the revolution of the people. -
Social Statification
Social stratification- French society was divided into three estates First was clergy, Second was Nobility, and Third was everyone else. The Clergy and Nobility enjoyed many rights and positions beyond the reach of the third estate, as well as being exempt from taxes. These social differences provide fuel for the coming revolution. -
Louis XVI calls the Estates-General
King Louis XVI called the estate-general for the first time in over 100 years to resolve the tax issues. Representitives from each estate first(clergy), second(nobles), and third(commoners) met. The king failed to keep order and the assembly fell to political bickering further showing the kings ineptitude. -
The Tennis Court Oath
The newly declared national assembly found themselves locked out of the chamber. Afraid of retaliation from the king they went to the tennis court next door and vowed to not seperate untill a constitution was developed, and equality was achieved for the people. -
The Storming of the Bastille
The peasants of paris after suffering from soaring taxes and terrible hunger were finally fed up. Angry peasants stormed the Bastille a symbol of the Kings power and tyranny. They overwhelmed and slaughtered the gaurds and tore the bastille down brick by brick -
The National Assembly Acts
On the heels of peasant revolts an the storming of the bastille the National Assembly abolished the rights of the nobles. Later in the month they would issue the Declaration of the Rights of Man which declared the rights of all men to equality, liberty, property, security and, resistance to oppression. This was a major step forward for the people and towards the revolution. -
The Monarchy is Abolished
Throughout the month of september nobles are attacked by the people and killed. Finally with radicals controlling the assembly the monarchy was abolished. A few months later in January the king was beheaded followed in October by the Queen. -
Spread of Nationalism
The revolution caused a new spring of patriotism and loyalty. People no longer shifted faith from one powerful ruler to the next but believed in the country itself. New songs like "the Marseillaise" rallied the people and united the nation. -
Period: to
Robespierre and the Reign of Terror
It started wiht the creation of the Committee of Public Safety, a 12 member group with almost absolute power. A leader in this group was Maximilien Robspierre, nicknamed "the incorruptible" Robspierre belived in the use of terror to better the nation. He caused the reign of terror a time where thousands of people, most of whom were probably innocent were sent to the guillotine and beheaded. Finally people were becoming sick of the deaths and sent Robespierre himself to the guillotine. -
Period: to
The third stage and Napoleon's Rise to Power
After the terror a five man directory and a two-house legislature was set up, which only lasted until 1799. At that time a popular military hero Napoleon Bonaparte rose to power. By 1802 he declared himself consolate for life and two years later he became emperor.
