French Revolution

Revolution dates

1789-1799

Marxist perspective of revolution

Views it as a bourgeois revolution.

Revisionist perspective of revolution

Focuses on social class dynamics and cross-cultural factors, rather than strictly class struggle.

Absolutism

A political system in which a single ruler holds complete power.

Absolute monarch

A king or queen with absolute power over their kingdom, example: King Louis XVI.

Economic state before the revolution

Prosperous for the standards at the time.

Social hierarchy in pre-revolution France

1st Estate: clergy, 2nd Estate: nobility, 3rd Estate: commoners (98% of population).

Imbalance of power in Estates General

Each estate had an equal say despite disproportionate representation.

Estates General

Represented the interests of all estates; last convened in 1614, considered ineffectual.

Taxation in pre-revolution France

First and Second Estates were often exempt from taxes.

Role of Marie Antoinette

Focal point of criticism, viewed as corrupt and disconnected from the populace.

Literacy rise in late 18th century

Enabled public to criticize elite through political pamphlets, libels, and satire.

King’s financial reforms

Attempted to tax the First and Second Estates, which sparked resistance.

Calonne's proposal

Universal land tax proposed but faced backlash from the privileged classes.

Call of Estates General

May 5th, 1789, regarded as the beginning of the revolution.

Key causes of the French Revolution

Taxation, inequality, absolute monarchy, Enlightenment.

National Assembly declaration date

June 17th, 1789.

Tennis Court Oath

Vow by National Assembly deputies to remain united until a new constitution was established.

Storming of the Bastille date

July 14th, 1789.

Significance of Bastille storming

Captured despite fewer than 10 prisoners; represented oppression of the people.

The Great Fear date

Summer of 1789.

Reaction of countryside during The Great Fear

Rising food prices and suspicion of famine plots led to increased violence.

Abolition of feudalism date

August 4th, 1789.

Vicomte de Noe's proposal

Legislation declaring egalitarian principles and abolishing privileges of the First and Second Estates.

Civil Constitution for the Clergy date

July 1790.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen date

August 26th, 1789.

Emphasis of the Declaration of the Rights of Man

Natural rights and equality, promoting citizen participation based on virtue.

Women’s participation in revolution

Organized clubs, demonstrations, and advocated for rights.

Olympe de Gouges

Wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Women in 1791 advocating for gender equality.

Role of King Louis XVI during revolution

Reluctant to support revolutionaries; attempted to flee Paris in June 1791.

National Assembly pressure

Struggled with various faction pressures leading to increased radical sentiments.

France's declaration of war on Austria date

April 1792.

Girondins

Political faction that declared war on Austria, viewed it as an opportunity for revolution.

Early military setbacks

Produced suspicion regarding officer loyalties, exemplified by the lynching of Dillon in 1792.

Layayette's role

Once trusted military figure whose consideration of coups spurred unrest.

Recruitment issues in military

Enthusiastic but poorly trained recruits led to radical demands among citizens.

Guillotine

Invented by Dr. Joseph Guillotine, promoted as a humane method of execution.

The Terror dates

1792-1793.

Leadership of The Terror

Led by san culottes and endorsed by the Committee of Public Safety.

Causes of radicalization during The Terror

Increased pressure for militancy, hostility towards Paris, and foreign threats.

September Massacres

Mass executions of perceived enemies in 1792, with around 1300 deaths.

Internal conflict during The Terror

Between Girondins and Montagards over crisis management.

Furet's argument

Posits that The Terror arose from misinterpretations of political necessity.

Committee of Public Safety establishment date

1793.

Law of Suspects

Allowed arbitrary arrests, creating a climate of fear.

Total executions during The Terror

15,000 executions overall alongside mass violence.

Overthrow of Robespierre date

1794.

9th Thermidor

Date of coup leading to Robespierre's arrest and execution.

Robespierre's vision for revolution

Had a messianic vision; sought de-Christianisation through the Cult of the Supreme Being.

Backlash against Robespierre

Received backlash particularly from the Committee of General Security.

San culottes description

Working-class radicals organized protests to increase pressure on power structures.

Fate of King Louis XVI date

August 10th, 1792.

Attack on Tuileries Palace

Led to the suspension of King Louis XVI and establishment of the Republic.

Emergence of federalism date

1793.

Regions seeking autonomy

Opposed the centralization of power in Paris due to various grievances.

Reforms of the revolution

Established metric system and adopted a revolutionary calendar.

Competition for power during revolution

Emergence of new factions, including Indulgence and Enrages.

Thermidorian Regime dates

1794-1795.

Jacobin club disbanding

Moderates regained control post-revolution.

Economic situation post-revolution

Characterized by inflation and economic instability.

The Directory dates

1795-1799.

New government system established in 1795

Bicameral legislature and a directory of five men.

Napoleon's rise to power date

Coup of Brumaire, 1799.

Napoleon's relationship with the church

Worked with Pope to reconcile church and state.

Napoleon's civil code

Formed the basis for future French law.

End of the divine right of kings

One of the long-term consequences of the revolution.

Rise of national identity

Contributed to the emergence of a unified French state post-revolution.

Uniform system of laws

Established as a consequence of the revolution.

Spread of revolutionary ideals

Led to other countries' uprisings and national movements.