Notes on the French Revolution

Introduction to the French Revolution

• The French Revolution: A pivotal event that ended monarchy, introduced new governance, and promoted ideas of liberty, freedom, and equality.
• Influenced by anti-colonial movements in India, China, Africa, and South America.

The Fall of the Monarchy

• July 14, 1789: Storming of the Bastille, symbolizing the king's despotic power.
• Louis XVI, of the Bourbon family, inherited a kingdom in debt.
  • Debt exacerbated by support to American colonies against Britain.
• French society divided into three estates:
  • First Estate: Clergy.
  • Second Estate: Nobility.
  • Third Estate: Peasants, artisans, merchants (paid taxes).
• Rise of the Third Estate: Influenced by Enlightenment ideas, demanded an end to privileges.

Economic and Social Crisis

• Population growth led to increased demand for bread.
• Wages didn't increase with prices, leading to widened socio-economic gaps.
• Frequent subsistence crises due to poor harvests and rising bread prices.

Intellectual and Political Changes

• Emergence of a middle class advocating for merit-based society.
• Philosophers like Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu influenced revolutionary ideas.
• Demand for a constitution limiting royal power.

The National Assembly and the Tennis Court Oath

• Third Estate formed the National Assembly, swore the Tennis Court Oath to draft a constitution.
• Led by Mirabeau and Abbé Sieyès.
• Abolition of feudal privileges and taxes on August 4, 1789.

Constitutional Monarchy

• 1791 Constitution:
  • Limited royal power.
  • Established legislature, executive, judiciary.
  • Active citizens (tax-paying men) could vote.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen

• Freedom of speech, opinion, equality before law as natural rights.
• Inspired by American Constitution.

War and the Republic

• 1792: War declared against Prussia and Austria.
• Rise of political clubs like the Jacobins, led by Robespierre.
• France declared a republic in 1792.

Reign of Terror

• 1793-1794: Robespierre's policy of control and punishment.
• Guillotine used for executions.
• Economic measures: Rationing, equality in speech.

The Directory and Rise of Napoleon

• Power shifted to wealthier classes.
• Political instability led to Napoleon's rise.

Women's Role in the Revolution

• Women active in revolutionary events.
• Established political clubs, demanded equal rights.
• Suffrage movement: Rights achieved in 1946.

Abolition of Slavery

• 1794: Initial abolition of slavery which was later reinstated by Napoleon.
• Final abolition in French colonies in 1848.

Everyday Changes

• Abolition of censorship post-Bastille.
• Freedom of expression led to a proliferation of newspapers and pamphlets.

Legacy

• Revolutionary ideas influenced global politics and movements.
• Napoleonic wars spread French revolutionary ideals across Europe.
• Impact on colonized nations' quest for sovereignty.