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Divided French Society (cont.)
the population, completely powerless. This unfairness caused anger among the 3rd estate. -
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Divided French Society
France was running on an outdated social system. There were 3 social classes, or estates. The 1st and 2nd estates were extremely rich, and exempt from taxes. They, hiwever, made up only 3% of the population. The majority of the people were a part of the 3rd estate. They were heavily taxed. They ranged from lawyers to laborers. Another problem in tthis society was the voting. Each estate had one vote. Estates 1 and 2 always sided together. leaving the 3rd estate, which represented the majority of -
Louis XVI Calls the Estate-General
The King recognised his country was desperate to get out of debt. He decided to call for a voting among the estates. He proposed the 1st and 2nd estates should be taxed. The 3rd estate was the only that supported this, and they were outvoted by the 1st and 2nd estates. -
Parisians Storrm the Bastille
In Paris, the National Assembly met. Rumors were spreading that royal troops were going to show up. In a search for gunpowder, they killed all the guards of the Bastille. This occured upon news that the Bastille housed tons of the gunpowder they desperately needed. They found none, however. The Bastille was a ridiculously harsh prison, and served as a sign of feudal times. The National Assembly then proceeded to destroy the Bastille, brick by brick. -
Nobles give up their power
Nobles gave up their special allowances. They could no longer hunt in certain areas, among other things. -
Declaration is created
National Assembly created a declaration, very similar to the United States' Declaration of Indapendence. Women were not included in this document. -
Constitution created
The National Assembly created a constitution. It was a limited monarchy, with a legislative assembly. These lawmakers were elected by tax-paying citizens over the age of 25. The king was humiliated, and attempted an escape. He hoped to reach the border and get his power back with help from another monarch. He was caught before he reached Austria, however, and the people viewed him as a true traitor of the revolution. -
Declaration of Pilnitz
The Austrian emporer and the Prussian King agree to protect the French monarchy. This may have been a bluff, but revolutionaries took it seriously, and prepared for war. -
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France enters was with monarchies
France declares war, first on Austria, then Prussia, and then Britain and others.The great powers expected an easy victory, but the war lasted on and off for a great length of time. -
Parisians attack the palace
Angry citizens of Paris became even more furious upon hearing that the king was in league with the enemies. They killed the guards of the palace, but the royal family escaped before the mobs arrived. -
Citizens attack prison
Parisians attacked a prison that housed political prisoners, mostly nobles and priests.They killed all 1,200. They did this in fear that if they were freed, they would be against the revolution. -
Louis XVI executed
Louis XVI was put on trial by his own country. He attempted to make a final speech before his death, but he was drowned out by the rolling of drums. -
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Reign of Terror
Courts conducted speedy, unjust trials during this time. The guillotine caused the death of 7,000 accused of being enemies of the state. 300,000 were kept in hideous prisons. -
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Directory rules
Directory is made up of a two house legislature. It was weak, but also dictatorial. They were formerly ruled by the Comittee of Public Safety. This was a 12-member dictatorship. -
Robespierre killed
Robespierre is killed in fear of more terror. Ironically, he was the main cause of the fear that caused his death. -
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Nationalism spreads
Nationalism became very popular. This is a love for one's country, its a feeling of pride and devotion. This sense of loyalty is still around today, and is not limited to France.
