Chapter 18 & 19-World History

Financial Crisis in France

Bad harvests in 1787 and 1788 and a slowdown in manufacturing led to food shortages, rising prices of food, and unemployment. The French government continued to spend enormous amounts of money on costly wars and luxuries for the court. The queen Marie Antoinette was known for extravagant purchases. Government also spent a lot of money helping the Americans fight the British and soon Louis XVI was forced to call a meeting to raise new taxes.

Church Reform

Because of the power it had held before, the church was subject to change. Because of their need for money, the National Assembly seized and sold the lands of the church. New bishops and priests were elected and paid by the state. The government now controlled the church instead of church controlling government.

The Rise of Napoleon

Brought the French Revolution to an end in 1799 and was a child of the revolution. The revolution made it possible for him to rise in military and then to supreme power. Was born in 1769 in Corsica, an island in the Mediterranean. Educated in French military schools. Led to his commission in 1785 as lieutenant in the French Army. Read works of the philosophes and educated himself on military matters by studying campaigns of great military leaders from the past. Was made a captain at 22, brigadier general at 24, and commander of French Army at 26.

Causes of the French Revolution

Causes of the revolution were related to the condition of French society. Before the revolution, French society was based on complete inequality. France's population was divided into 3 estates which had been the social structure since the Middle Ages.

The Republic of Virtue

Committee of Public Safety under Robespierre wanted to create a new order called the Republic of Virtue made up of "good citizens." Attempted to provide economic control by establishing prices limits on necessities. Failed because they didn't have ability to enforce them.

The First Estate

Consisted of clergy. Owned 10% of the land. Was exempt from the taille (chief tax). Divided between higher clergy and parish priests. Higher clergy were members of aristocratic families and shared interests of the nobility. Parish priests were poor and commoners.

The Second Estate

Consisted of nobility. Owned 25-30% of land. Held many leading positions in government, military, courts, and higher church offices. Exempt from taille. Sought to extend power of the monarchy while also keeping control over military, the church, and parts of government already owned.

France's Domestic and Foreign Crisis

Disputes between Mountain and Girondins continued. Commune favored radical change an put pressure on National Convention to accept. More problems arose because the National Convention did rule all of France. Many peasants refused to accept national Convention. Death of King Louis XVI outraged many other rulersand a coalition was made with Austria, Prussia, Spain, Portugal, Britain, and the dutch Republic. They took up arms against France and the French armies fell back quickly. Soon, the coalition was poised to invade France, and if they were successful, the old regime would be reestablished.

Louis XVI's Reaction

During revolutions and meetings of the National Assembly, Louis stayed at Versailles and refused to accept the new declarations. In October 1789, thousands of peasant women gathered outside Versailles until Louis agreed to meet. They claimed their families were starving.The women insisted the king and his family return to Paris to show support for the National Assembly. The royal family and supplies were escorted back to Paris by the women and the family became prisoners of Paris.

The Meeting of the Estates General

Estates general composed of representatives of the 3 estates. 1st and 2nd-300 delegates and 3rd-600 delegates. 3rd estate wanted to set up a constitutional monarchy that stopped tax exemptions to fix financial problems. The meeting had troubles with voting. Each estate had one vote but the 3rd estate wanted to change to where each delegate had one vote. This would give them a greater chance at winning. King said he was in favor of the current system.

War with Austria

European leaders worried revolution would spread. Rulers of Austria and Prussia threatened force to restore Louis XVI to power. Upset by this, The National Assembly declared war on Austria in 1792. France fared badly in initial fighting. Defeats in war and economic shortages in France led to new political demonstrations against Louis XVI. Radical political groups, calling themselves a commune, organized a mob attack on the palace and Legislative Assembly.

The Storming of the Bastille

In 1789, a mob of Paris citizens stormed the Bastille and dismantled it, leaving Paris to the rebels. Louis XVI found he could no longer trust royal troops and that he could no longer enforce his will. The fall of the Bastille saved the National Assembly. This is now French Independence Day.

De-Christianization

In an attempt to create a new order that reflected the belief of reason, the National Convention pursued policy of de-Christianization. "Saint" was removed from street names, churches were pillaged and closed, and priests were encouraged to marry. Adopted a new calendar where years were no longer counted from the birth of Christ. Robespierre realized that French people would not accept this, because most were still Catholic. Robespierre wanted to end France of corruption and stop the end of terror. He was guillotined but many people cooled down after his death. Girondins and Mountain lost power.

The Third Estate

Made up of commoners and was divided by vast differences in occupation, level of education, and wealth. About 98% of population. Largest group were the peasants and second largest were the bourgeoisie or middle class. Were also skilled craftsmen, shopkeepers, and other wage earners.

Reasons for Revolution

Middle class members were unhappy with the privileges of nobles. Aristocrats and bourgeoisie were drawn to political ideas of the Enlightenment and were upset with the monarchical system. What was seen as the immediate cause of the revolution was the near collapse of government finances.

A New Constitution

National Assembly completed the Constitution of 1791. Set up a limited monarchy where the king serves as a figurehead, but only the legislative assembly made laws. The Legislative Assembly was 745 elected representatives. Male citizens over 25 who paid certain taxes were allowed to vote.

The Destruction of the Old Regime

National Assembly's first act was to destroy aristocratic privileges. In August 1789, they voted to abolish the rights of landlords and financial privileges of nobles and clergy. The Declaration of the Rights of Man was adopted by the National Assembly and inspired by the American Constitution and Bill of Rights. It listed basic liberties of man. Olympe de Gouges, writer of plays and pamphlets, refused to accept the exclusion of women. Wrote Declaration of the Rights of Women and the Female Citizens, which called for women to have the same rights as men. Was ignored.

New Government Structure

National Convention reduced the power of the Committee of Public Safety, churches reopened, and a new constitution was created in 1795. Established a national legislative assembly consisting of two elected chambers. Lower house-Council of 500 and Upper house-Council of Elders. The Directory was elected to be an executive committee. Were faced with political enemies and were unable to find a solution to France's financial problems, also continued wars started by the Committee of Public Safety. -Royalists who wanted monarchy and radical who turned away from the government. The Directory was overthrown by Napoleon Bonaparte.

The Move to Radicalism

Paris Commune, led by Georges Danton. San-culottes began to seek revenge on those who aided the king and resisted popular will. Thousands were arrested and massacred. New leaders of the people emerged, including Jean-Paul Marat who published a radical journal called Friend of the People.

Serfdom in France

Serfdom no longer existed but some peasants still had obligations to local landlords that they greatly hated. Included fees for the use of village facilities (flour mill, community oven, wine press) and contributions to clergy.

The national Convention

Session of the National Convention began in 1792. First major action was to completely abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. The convention split into factions over the fate of the king. Girondins-represented the provinces and feared radical mobs. The Mountain-represented radicals in Paris. Mountain won in 1793 and convinced National Convention to condemn Louis XVI to death. Execution of the king created new enemies for the revolution, both in France and other countries.

The Rise of the Paris Commune

The Paris Commune took the king capture and forced legislative Assembly to suspend monarchy. Forced Legislative Assembly to call for a National Convention t decide a new form of government. Power passed to Paris Commune and members called themselves sans-culottes (patriots without nice clothes).

French Revolution vs. American Revolution

The year 1789 had two major world events: the beginning of a new USA and the beginning of the French Revolution. Compared to the American Revolution, the French Revolution is considered more complex, more violent, and far more radical.

The Committee of Public Safety

To meet both foreign and domestic crises, the National Convention gave broad powers to a committee of 12 people. Dominated first by Georges Danton and then by Maximilien Robespierre. Later set in motion an effort known as the Reign of Terror. 40,000 people were killed. Armies were sent out to bring rebellious cities back under control. Some victims in Nates were executed by drowning. Created an army to battle foreign affairs which resulted in rise of nationalism.

The Meeting of the National Assembly

Was reaction of the 3rd estate and was intended to be used to draft a constitution. Came together in 1789, 3 days later when they arrived for the meeting the place was locked. Moved to a nearby indoor tennis court and agreed to continue meeting until they make a constitution. This was the Tennis Court Oath. Louis XVI was about to use force against the 3rd estate, however they were saved by the common people. Soon, revolutions started to break out across France, which became known as the Great Fear.