history 101 french revolution

Ancien Regime

The social and political system in France where the top 3% of the population, mainly the rich held immense power, land and privileges.

Louis XIV (14th)

French monarch known as the "Sun King" who ruled for 72 years, embodying absolute monarchy and the divine right of kings. absolutely ruthless

Louis XVI (16th)

Last King of France from 1774 to 1793, faced financial turmoil due to a national debt by the American Revolutionary War. His tax reforms met resistance, leading to growing discontent among the Third Estate. His indecisiveness contributed to the French Revolution.

Marie Antoinette

Last Queen of France, seen as austrian outsider. married Louis XVI as part of an alliance between Austria and France. criticized for her extravagant lifestyle. married at 14, queen at 19

Palace of Versallies

The royal residence of the French monarchy, built by Louis XIV, symbolizing absolute power and wealth.

Aristocracy

A social class consisting of wealthy nobles who inherited land from their families. Members of the aristocracy enjoyed significant privileges, including the right to govern and hold high positions within the state. exempt from taxation. substantial political power and influence. Owned most of land in France

Church part in Aristocracy

The Catholic Church was one of the largest landowners in France, possessing approximately 10% of the land. It enjoyed significant privileges, including exemption from taxation.

middle class/bourgeoisie

This class included educated merchants, industrialists, and professionals who often gainedwealth through commerce, trade, and skilled professions. Unlike the aristocracy, they did not inherit their status but earned it through hard work.

Peasants

largest social class in France, primarily consisting of rural laborers and farmers who worked the land. heavy taxation and were often subject to the demands of the aristocracy

san-culottes

working-class patriots of the French Revolution who became known for their radicalism and advocacy for direct democracy and social equality. They were often associated with the common people. fancy pants

Causes of French revolution

Intellectual Ideologies, Weak leadership, Debt from American Revolution, Marie Antoinette, Crop failures, Wealth gap, Inequalities

Louis XVI (16th) response to debt

Louis XVI propose to tax elites, agrees to be taxed but bargens for more political power and control of where their tax money goes and attempts to reform France's financial system.

Estates-General

Traditional French assembly rarely used due to centeralized powers. Divided into three estates for class representation: clergy, nobility, and common people. It was convened by Louis XVI in May 1789 to address the financial crisis.

First Estate

300 Representative for the clergy, aka Catholitic Church who held significant privileges and land with no tax.

second estate

300 representatives for the nobility in France, aka aristocrates , significant privileges and land with no tax

Third Estate

600 repesentatives for the commoners of France, representing the vast majority of the population. had little political power and heavily taxed compared to the other estates. Included peasants, urban workers, and the bourgeoisie, demanding more rights and representation.

Downfall of Estates General

any legislation had 2/3 approval with estates, third estate always the minority in decision making, had different ideas of reform compared to other estates. Leading to Third estates withdraw from Estates General

Tennis Court Oath of June 20th 1789

After being locked out of meeting, Third estate meets at a nearby Tennis Court, declaring their commitment to create a new constitution for France until their demands were met. called themselves the National Assembly and vowed not to disband.

Aristocrates response to Tennis Court Oath

The aristocrats were largely opposed to the Tennis Court Oath and viewed the actions of the Third Estate as a threat to their privileges and power. Influenced Louis XVI to send 20k troops to paris to suppress the National Assembly

storm of Bastille

On July 14, 1789, sans-culottes storm the Bastille prison in Paris, to secure gunpowder and weapons to defend themselves against potential royalist attacks and symbolize the fight against tyranny. killed govenor and cut heads. turning point of revolution.

Louis XVI response to storm of bastille

initially downplayed the event, became increasingly alarmed and ultimately decided to withdraw troops from Paris, recognizing the growing power of the revolution. misses oppourtunity to strike back due to waiting it out.

Grand Peur

July 19th-August 3rd 1789, peasants rise up against nobility, burning buildings legally binding them to feudal obligations.

National Assembly response to Grand Peur

on August 4, 1789, The National Assembly abolish feudal rights and privileges in an attempt to stabilize the situation and gain popular support. No more aristocracy supremacy and legal inequalities

Declaration of Rights of Man The Citizen

on August 26th 1789, National Assembly created this document to ease tensions and establish fundamental rights. Destruction of Aristocratic privileges, everyone equal under law, based in hardwork, freedom from arbituary arrest and protection of property rights.

Issues with Declaration of Rights of Man the Citizen

No mention of women, slavery, or ongoing inequalities of wealth and property

Women March on Versallies

On October 5, 1789, a mob of women, anger over high bread prices, marched from Paris to Versailles to demand action from King Louis XVI. forced the royal family to return to Paris.

Why was Louis VI not killed immediately?

Although he faced significant opposition, many revolutionaries hoped for a constitutional monarchy, where he still played a role in france’s political power, just evenly distributed.

Tuileries Palace

Now known as the Lourve, the royal family were put under house arrest in this palace after the royal family's return to Paris. It served as the official residence of the French monarch before the abolition of the monarchy.

civil constitution of clergy

Louis actions to new reform

attempts to flee to austria, write bad incriminating letter against revolution, leaves in fancy carriage, found and caught by austrian border

First French Constitution

Created a constitutional monarchy that limited the king’s power and gave more power to an elected Legislative Assembly. not fully democratic because citizens votes went to electors and not direct officials. political power was still wealth based (pay 10 days of labor to be elector)

Constitutional Monarchy

king doesnt uphold absolute power, still has control of military and foreign policy

Jacobin Club

A radical political club during the French Revolution that pushed for a republic and stronger revolutionary changes.

Antoine Barnave

A moderate revolutionary who supported a constitutional monarchy and wanted to limit the more radical changes of the Revolution.

Girondinz

A moderate republican political group that wanted a republic but opposed the extreme violence and radicalism of the Revolution.

Jacques Brissot

A leader of the Girondins who supported a republic and pushed France to go to war with other European monarchies.

The mountain

The most radical group in the National Convention, including the Jacobins and Robespierre. They supported a republic, execution of the king, and strong revolutionary measures.

Maximilien Robespierre

A radical Jacobin leader who became one of the most powerful figures during the French Revolution and led France during the Reign of Terror, using executions to eliminate perceived enemies of the Revolution.

Declaration of Pilnitz

A statement by Austria and Prussia saying they were willing to intervene to protect the French monarchy and King Louis XVI. It threatened revolutionary France and increased tensions.

Duke of Brunswick

A threat to France from the Prussian commander Duke of Brunswick, warning that Paris would be punished if the French royal family was harmed. It angered the French people and increased support for the Revolution.