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Deficit
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Before and during the revolution, France dealt with major issues. First, the unequal estates, or social classes, contributed to financial problems. The first two estates of royals, nobles, and clergymen, which made up just a tiny portion of France's population, led lives of tax-free luxury. -
Deficit (Cont.)
They forced the Third Estate, consisting of peasants and average people, to pay outrageous taxes, made worse by money being used to fight wars that did not aid France. Such spending and other squandering by the first two Estates worsened debt. This great divide between classes enhanced the resentment the Third Estate harbored for the first two. Economic recovery attempts were thwarted. -
Deficit (Cont. once more)
Lastly, unfavorable weather conditions made it difficult to grow food, forcing the price of food to rise, thus putting those in lowlier statuses in danger of starvation. The aforementioned tensions would only serve to push the revolution into existence. -
Louis XVI Summons the Estates-General
In light of bankruptcy, food shortage, nobles condemning the monarchy, and so forth, King Louis XVI called for the Estates-General to meet in Versailles in 1789. Before the conference, the king had those from all three estates put forth cahiers detailing their woes. Some decried high prices, low wages, class distinctions, etc. Prior to the Estates-General, representatives of the 3rd Estate were elected. They consisted of an assortment of lawyers, doctors, and other men from similar positions. -
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Revolution Unfolds
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A political crisis, happening simultaneously as a famine, threw France further into terror and contributed to the Great Fear, a series of rumors spread about the monarchy and France. This sets the people into turmoil. Additionally, Paris itself was ideologically divided between moderates and radicals, most wanting some form of change. Thus, the National Assembly acted. -
Louis XVI Summons the Estates-General (Cont.)
As they were familiar with Enlightenment ideas, they intended to have France’s financial troubles fixed, yet also were prepared to call for immediate reform. As the Estates-General assembled, the three Estates met an impasse when deciding on how to vote. Ensuing, the Third Estate formed the National Assembly. -
Louis XVI Summons the Estates-General (Cont. once more)
The newly named National Assembly was then prohibited by the king from meeting at their designated hall. Thus, they took their party to a nearby tennis court and took the Tennis Court Oath, which stated that the delegates would meet there until they established a sufficient constitution. Men of clergy and noble origin joined in, which unsettled King Louis. Regardless, he permitted it. -
Raid on Bastille
Those categorized as the 3rd estate in Paris found that Jacques Necker, the King's financial advisor and sympathizer with the poor, was fired. Ensuing, the people heard rumor of the royal troops coming to occupy the city. In response, they gathered and stormed Bastille in an effort to obtain weapons to defend themselves. Bastille, known among the people as a symbol of terror and absolute monarchy, was a castle-like structure utilized to hold and torture prisoners. -
Raid on Bastille (Cont.)
A battle ensued, as the commander of Bastille refused to allow the mob to enter. In response, the people killed the commander, guards, and released the prisoners. However, they found no weapons. This served as a sobering event for King Louis XVI, as this was the first true threat to the monarchy. -
Revolution Unfolds (Cont.)
Furthermore, in October of 1791, women marched in Versaille, demanding to see the king. They marched in protest of not having adequate necessities, such as food. This eventually led to the king being forced back to Paris by the people. He would remain a prisoner of sorts until his execution. This event would mark the end of the independent power of the monarchy. -
Threats from Other Nations
Leaders from abroad were unhappy about the revolution, as well as the forced captivity of France's royal family subsequent to their attempted escape. Therefore, Austria and Prussia put forth the Declaration of Pilnitz. The document essentially issued threats to France. It is unknown as to whether these threats were valid, however, in response, the French prepared for war. -
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Radical Phase Begins
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Beginning the second stage of the French Revolution, the French elect the Legislative Assembly into power. Within the group, there are fierce radicals, like the sans-culottes and Jacobins, that pushed their ideas firmly and wanted vast change. Opposing them were moderates that didn’t want such alteration of France. -
Monarch Abolished (Cont.)
Further, all evidence of the monarchy’s existence was to be obliterated. The Convention additionally stripped nobles of their status and took their land. Such formation of the Convention and elimination of monarchy were directly influenced by increasing tension and violence brought on through the midst of revolution. -
Monarchy Abolished
Radicals, mainly Jacobins, took over what was previously called the National Assembly and renamed it the National Convention. The new group voted to eliminate the monarchy and subsequently create a republic. In doing so, they put King Louis XVI on trial and sentenced him to death. He was executed via beheading and his severed cranium was held up for spectators. Later, Marie Antoinette, the king’s wife, would be slain, as well. -
Third Stage of Revolution (Cont.)
The Directory would maintain power until 1799. During this time, wars ended with Prussia and Spain, yet wars with Austria and Great Britain raged on. The Directory was stringent with its power, attempting to suppress discontent. Simultaneously, positive feelings towards monarchy were resuscitated and Catholics that were previously silenced began to act against it. Essentially, disarray continued. However, Napoleon Bonaparte would eventually play a major role in this. -
Radical Phase Begins (Cont.)
Moreover, the radicals of the Legislative Assembly wanted to spread the revolution and stamp out monarchy in other parts of Europe. In doing so, they engaged in wars with Austria, Prussia, Great Britain, and so forth. These wars would span over 23 years. -
The Spread of French Nationalism
Nationalism, or the pride in and devotion to one's nation began to spread throughout France. Inspired by revolution and constant war, the people were not simply placing their devotion to a monarch, but the country itself. Consequently, festivals that celebrated France and the revolution sprung up, as well as music and dances under the topic of the revolution.During this time, the French national anthem was born. -
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The Reign of Terror
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The Convention whittled a new committee, the Committee of Public Safety. It had 12 members in its assembly, the leader of which would become Maximilien Robespierre. Robespierre, a lawyer and politician, was a radical, completely against the France of old. He was a believer in religious freedom and the elimination of slavery. He felt that the country should contain virtue. -
Rein of Terror (Cont.)
However, Robespierre was a radical that thought the only way to achieve the objective was to sever the heads of those who opposed. He promoted the notion that the best country would be seen only after terror is inflicted. Thus, under his command, thousands were beheaded. In fact, some 17,000 people were killed, typically under false pretenses. The guillotine was introduced, thus speeding up the process. Yet, the reign of terror crumbled on itself and Robespierre and followers were executed. -
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Third Stage of Revolution
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After the Reign of Terror, the French Revolution entered its third stage. Moderates, attempting to distance France from the radicals, created the third Consitution to be made in the time period and established the Directory and two-house legislature.
