2nd French Revolution Details 1790-1793

The term sans-culottes refers to the working-class men and women during the French Revolution who wore long trousers, as opposed to the knee-length breeches (culottes) favored by the aristocracy.
Image Description: Depicts a typical-looking sans-culott wearing long trousers, holding a spear, and donning a red revolutionary cap.
The term was originally branded by social elites to signify them as lower-class citizens, but the sans-culottes embraced this identity.
The striped trousers became emblematic of revolutionary spirit and identity.

Revolutionary fervor in France caused concern among European monarchies, particularly in Prussia, Austria, and Britain.
The revolution spark a series of laws and wars as France faced escalating tensions, both internally and externally.

Established that the state seized 10% of French mainland territory classified as church lands.
The church was subordinated to state control, functioning as an administrative arm of the government.
Members of the clergy were required to take a loyalty oath to retain their positions, which led to polarization within France.
- Many common people supported this reform due to resentment toward the church's privileges.
- However, it was met with significant resistance in conservative provinces, promoting counter-revolutionary activities.
- The Pope and senior clergy rejected this constitution, leading to tension and loss of church positions among clergy who refused the oath.

Post the civil constitution, several significant measures were undertaken by the National Assembly:
- Sold off seized church lands to wealthy nobles to increase their holdings.
- Abolished guilds that were remnants of the Middle Ages.
- Passed bills defending liberty against the old privileges held by the nobility and clergy.
- Restructured local governance into 83 equal administrative departments.

Frightened for his safety, King Louis XVI tried to flee to Habsburg territories but was captured in Varennes.
His flight was poorly timed, occurring just before a new constitution was set to be finalized, painting him in a negative light.
After his capture, Louis became a prisoner of the revolution, dependent on the revolutionaries for his and his family’s safety.
Shortly after, the Declaration of Pillnitz was signed by the Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II and King Frederick William II of Prussia, signaling a willingness to restore Louis' power, thus intensifying tensions.

The constitution established France as a constitutional monarchy with defined powers:
- The king held veto power and directed foreign policy but had limited political control.
- Introduced indirect elections for half of adult men in France, reflecting fears of popular power.
- Did not fully protect freedoms initially stated in the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.
New Legislative Assembly excluded National Assembly members from serving, limiting experienced governance.

The new constitution of 1791 did not extend political rights to women.
Influential thinkers like Jean-Jacques Rousseau espoused traditional views on women, which influenced lawmakers:
- Rousseau claimed women were less rational and reliant on men economically.
- His contradictory views created challenges in justifying women's roles in society.
Olympe de Gouges and Mary Wollstonecraft were prominent advocates for women's rights during this time:
- Gouges wrote the Declaration of the Rights of Women and Citizens (1791), which raised property rights and family law issues for women.
- Wollstonecraft authored A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, discussing women’s education and rights.

In Reflections on the Revolution in France (1790), Burke supported the American Revolution but criticized the French revolution for attempting to drastically alter the existing order.
Burke argued the French revolutionaries sought unprecedented power, threatening established governance.

After the Legislative Assembly convened in October 1791, two primary factions formed:
- Jacobin: Advocated for centralization of government authority; became more radical.
- Girondin: Favored a continuation of constitutional monarchy; opposed execution of king Louis XVI.
Tensions between the factions reflected a division in revolutionary goals and strategies.

France declared war on Prussia and Austria in April 1792.
Jacobins utilized the war to radicalize their political agenda and gain support from the populace.
As the Jacobins gained power, they solidified their position, leading to the fall of the monarchy in August 1792.
Following the attack on the Tuileries Palace, the National Convention was formed, replacing the Legislative Assembly.
King Louis XVI was subsequently executed on January 21, 1793.

Amid political chaos, the sans-culottes struggled under laissez-faire economic reforms leading to food shortages.
There were demands for government intervention to ensure food availability and price controls due to increasing hardship.

Multiple foreign powers, including Britain, Spain, and the Dutch, joined hostilities against France, viewing the revolution as a threat.
Internal rebellions surged, especially in cities like Lyon and Marseille, where locals resisted centralization efforts by the Jacobins.
The Vendee revolt showcased the depth of unrest and was ultimately quelled by revolutionary forces by December 1793.
Key leaders like Maximilien Robespierre emerged as pivotal figures in this crisis period, dictating the course of revolutionary France moving forward.

By early 1793, France faced dire internal and external conflicts, with radical political changes leading to a struggle for stability amidst burgeoning republican governance. These circumstances set the stage for further upheaval and transformation in the revolution.