Overview
This lecture covers the causes, major events, and consequences of the French Revolution, highlighting the shift from monarchy to republic, key social changes, and the legacy of revolutionary ideas.
The Outbreak of Revolution
- On July 14, 1789, Parisians stormed the Bastille, symbolizing the start of the French Revolution.
- Widespread rioting in Paris and the countryside was fueled by high bread prices and fears of military repression.
- The destruction of the Bastille marked the collapse of royal authority.
French Society Before the Revolution
- In 1774, France's treasury was empty due to costly wars and royal extravagance.
- Only the Third Estate (commoners) paid taxes; clergy and nobility were exempt.
- Peasants suffered under feudal dues, tithes, and direct and indirect taxes.
Economic Crisis and Social Change
- France’s population grew rapidly, driving up food prices, especially bread.
- Wages did not match inflation, leading to a widening gap between rich and poor.
- Food shortages and bad harvests caused repeated subsistence crises.
Rise of the Middle Class and Enlightenment Ideas
- The middle class gained wealth from trade and industry, seeking equality and merit-based society.
- Philosophers like John Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu argued for natural rights, social contracts, and separation of powers.
- Enlightenment ideas spread through salons, coffee houses, books, and newspapers.
The National Assembly and Early Revolution
- In May 1789, King Louis XVI called the Estates-General to approve new taxes.
- Disagreement over voting led the Third Estate to form the National Assembly, pledging to draft a constitution.
- Peasant revolts led to the abolition of feudal privileges and church tithes.
France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy
- The 1791 constitution limited royal power and established a National Assembly with indirect elections.
- Only taxpaying men over 25 could vote, making them “active citizens.”
- The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen guaranteed rights like life, freedom of speech, and equality before the law.
From Monarchy to Republic
- Continued unrest and foreign threats led to war with Prussia and Austria.
- Jacobin clubs, led by Robespierre, rallied poorer citizens and pushed for radical changes.
- In 1792, monarchy was abolished, France declared a republic, and Louis XVI was executed in 1793.
The Reign of Terror and the Directory
- From 1793-1794, Robespierre’s government executed thousands suspected of opposing the revolution.
- Laws fixed prices/wages and mandated rationing; churches were closed.
- Robespierre ’s fall led to a government run by the wealthier middle class (the Directory), which was unstable and paved the way for Napoleon.
Women and the Revolution
- Women participated in events and formed political clubs to demand rights.
- Laws improved some aspects, like compulsory schooling and legal divorce.
- Women were eventually banned from political activity and gained voting rights only in 1946.
Abolition of Slavery
- The Jacobin government abolished slavery in French colonies in 1794, but it was reinstated by Napoleon.
- Slavery was finally abolished in 1848.
Everyday Life and Legacy
- Censorship ended; freedom of press and political expression increased.
- Revolutionary ideals influenced future movements for liberty and equality in Europe and beyond.
- Napoleon spread and modified revolutionary reforms throughout Europe.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Bastille — fortress-prison in Paris, symbolizing royal tyranny.
- Estates-General — assembly representing France’s three estates.
- Third Estate — commoners, majority of the French population.
- Tithes — taxes paid to the church.
- National Assembly — revolutionary body formed by the Third Estate.
- Constitutional Monarchy — monarchy limited by a constitution.
- Jacobins — radical political club during the Revolution.
- Sans-culottes — working-class revolutionaries.
- Reign of Terror — period of violence directed by Robespierre.
- Directory — five-member executive governing France after the Terror.
- Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen — French document guaranteeing individual rights.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the events leading from Bastille to the rise of Napoleon.
- Study the roles and ideas of Enlightenment philosophers in the Revolution.
- Prepare a timeline of major political changes from monarchy to republic.