(editing)Facts 1789-1792

Estates General

A political assembly representing the three estates of the realm (the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners) in France. Opened on the 5th May with 939 members from all estates

Death of the Dauphin

4th June 1789

Estates General credential verification

10th June 1789

Mirabeau’s writings on Versailles

He wrote ‘letters to his constituents’, an accurate account of the events in Versailles with a partisan apprasial to the Third Estate.

National Assembly

It declared itself the legitimate government of France on June 19th, 1789 by 490 to 90 votes. Louis responed by calling this “Just a phrase”.

Tennis Court Oath

Taken by the Third Estate on June 20th 1789, declaring they would not disband until a new constitution was established. Only 1 member refused the oath, given that 90 had refused to call themselves the National Assembly the day before it is clear the rapid progression of radicalism between May and October.

Seance Royale

23rd June - By Necker’s advice Loius held a seance royale but he ignored the previous events of the Estates General, stating the privileges of nobles and clergy couldn’t be discussed in common. Louis accepted the need for reform, however, dismissed any limitations on his own power; “l’etat c’est moi” (‘the state is me’). The King’s olive branch included: 1. Taxation need the consent of the representatives of the nation, 2. Lettres de Cachet were abolished, 3. Freedom of press, 4. Internal customs barriers, the gabelle and corvee would be abolished.

Feudal rights were deemed immovable by Louis and legitimacy depended on his approval. The concessions were too little too late and this threat was unacceptable to the now radical deputies.

The culmination of the First and Second Estate in the National Assembly

On the 24th June 151 clergy joined the third estate in the national assembly and on the 25th 47 nobles including the Duc D’Orleans joined as well.

The surrounding of Paris

To contain the ‘political revolution’ in Paris, post Seance Royale, the King had 30,000 foreign troops -Swiss Guard and Germanic mercenaries- under the command of Marshal de Broglie surround Paris with no warning to the normal soldiers. Over several days this turned Pairs into a pressure cooker.

Storming of the Bastille

A pivotal event on July 14th 1789, symbolizing the start of the French Revolution. This marks the transition from a ‘war of words’ to a violent revolution. De Launay was the defender of the Bastille.

Paris Commune

Established on July 15, 1789, as a new civic body to safeguard Paris during the revolution.

Great Fear

A wave of peasant uprisings in July/August 1789, fueled by rumors of aristocratic plots against them. The Duc D’Orleans’ lands were ransacked. This followed from the Spring Provincia revolts, 20 between March and June showing that these issues weren’t solely caused by the political upheaval but the deep-rooted issues of the Estates system.

August Decrees

Passed on August 6, 1789, abolishing feudal privileges, tithes, and introducing equality of taxation. Duquesnoy declared “What a nation! What glory! What honour to be French!”

Declaration of the Rights of Man

Passed in August 1789, asserting universal rights for citizens, influenced by natural rights philosophy. Influenced by Thomas Paine, Lafayette, Montesquieu’s seperation of powers and Rousseau’s social contract. It didn’t apply to women, children, foreigners or slaves. There were 4.3 million ‘active’ citizens.

October Days

Events in October 1789, including the storming of Versailles by over 5,000 (clergy were paid state officials)Parisians demanding the acceptance of the August Decrees.

Church property seized

Nationalization of church lands on November 2nd, 1789, leading to the sale of church properties and increase in peasant land ownership. Assignants were issued in April of 1790 as bonds to be exchanged for church lands.

Civil Constitution of the Clergy

Approved on 12th July 1790, it tied the Church to the administrative system (clergy were paid state officials), abolished various practices, and required clergy to be elected and approved by the French State.

Oath to the Civil Constitution

The first great schism of the revolution. Only 2 bishops and 44 other clergy took the oath in the Assembly. In France as a whole, only 7 bishops and 55% of clergy took the oath

Political clubs

Jacobins: The Jacobin Club included both prominent parliamentary factions of the early 1790s, the Mountain and the Girondins (deputies from the Gironde region of Bordeaux). Initially founded in 1789 by anti-Royalist deputies from Brittany (Club Breton). Members included Robespierre and his brother Augustin, along with Fouche.

Feuillants: It consisted of monarchists and reactionaries who sat on the right of the Legislative Assembly of 1791. It came into existence on 16 July 1791 when the left-wing Jacobins split between moderates (Feuillants), who sought to preserve the position of the king and radicals (Jacobins), who wished to press for a continuation of direct democratic action. Lafayette was a Feuillant.

Cordeliers: These radicals all hailed from the Cordeliers district in Paris and had played key roles in the storming of the Bastille. The Cordeliers leadership were mostly bourgeoisie but they had a loyal following from the Sans-Culottes. Founded by Georges Danton and Camille Desmoulins. Jean Paul Marat was also linked to the club. The phrase Liberté, égalité, fraternité - which were the central values of the revolution were drawn from the Cordeliers.

‘Day of Daggers’

28th Feburary 1791

Flight to Varennes

A failed attempt by the Royal Family to escape Paris on 20th June 1791, leading to their arrest and the debate on the abolition of the monarchy.

Champ de Mars Massacre

Occurred on 16th-17th July 1791, where Lafayette ordered the shooting of 50 people during a peaceful protest of 50,000 calling for the removal of the King. Martial Law was declared and prominant figures in the protest like Danton and Herbert went into hiding. Bailly, as major of Paris, was later executed for his part in the massacre.

Declaration of Pillnitz

Issued in Aug 1791, it appeared as a threat to interfere with French internal affairs, fueling opposition to the monarchy.

Constitution of 1791

Established in Sep 1791, it limited the King's powers, required Assembly consent for war declarations, and favored the bourgeoisie.

Legislative Assembly meets

1st October 1791; 136 Left members (Jacobin and Girondin), 264 Right members (Feuillants) and 345 members in the centre or ‘the Plain’.

Decrees against emigres and refractory priests

Passed in Nov 1791, they targeted suspected clergy and emigres, confiscating their property if they did not return by Jan 1st, 1792.

Declaration of war on Austria

Made on 20th April 1792, it led to Prussia joining in June, escalating tensions and conflicts.

Dismissal of Girondin ministers

On 13th June 1792, Louis dismissed ministers who protested against his refusal of laws, revealing his treachery.

Sans-culottes' first journee to the Tuileries

On 20th June 1792, Parisian sections led an armed demonstration at the Tuileries in response to the King's actions.

Declaration ‘La patrie en danger’

11th July 1792

Brunswick Manifesto

Published on 25th July 1792, it demanded liberty for Louis, threatened Paris with destruction, and aimed to divide the revolutionaries.

Sans-culottes Second journee to the Tuilleries

10th Aug 1792, 600 swiss guard defended the Tuilleries against 3,000 sans-culottes and National Guardsmen

The First Coalition

20th April to 17th October 1797

22 September 1792

France is declared a Republic

19 November 1792

‘Edict of Fraternity’

3 December 1792

Decision taken to try Louis

4 December 1792

Robespierre argues for the immediate death of the king

21 January 1793

The exercution of Louis