French Revolution Overview and Louis XIV

PERIOD 2: REVOLUTIONS IN POLITICS (1775 - 1815)

Overview of the French Revolution (1789-1799)

  • France:

    • Population: 25 million

    • Productive economy and rich farmlands

    • Cultural dominance in 18th-century Europe (Enlightenment center)

  • Issues in France:

    • Government corruption, inefficiency, and significant debt

    • Archaic and unjust class structure

    • Institutions heavily influenced by medieval traditions

Enlightenment Principles as Foundation

  • Core Principles:

    • Liberté: Freedom to behave as one chooses, provided no harm to others

    • Égalité: Legal equality for all, abolishing aristocratic privilege

    • Fraternité: A rational spirit of brotherhood ushered in by the revolution

Pre-Revolutionary Government

  • Monarchic Authority:

    • Absolute monarchs governed as if owning France as property

    • They did not answer to anyone and taxed the poorest residents heavily

  • Privileges of the Aristocracy & Church:

    • Nobility and clergy enjoyed wealth and exemptions from taxes

Rise of Republicanism

  • Influence of Enlightenment:

    • Increasing support for individual rights and republican forms of government

  • Definition of a Republic:

    • A state in which power derives from the people, who elect representatives to govern

  • Inspiration from the American Revolution:

    • Successful examples of governance inspired French revolutionaries

Stages of the French Revolution

  • Initial Phase:

    • Moderate attempts at reform

  • Escalation:

    • Principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity gain momentum

  • Radicalization:

    • Revolution degenerates into violence

  • Transition to Authoritarianism:

    • The revolution ends with Napoleon's dictatorship

Louis XV (1715 – 1774)

  • Ascension to Power:

    • Became king at age 5, dominated by mistresses and favorites

    • Nobles regained power lost during Louis XIV's reign

  • National Issues:

    • Continuous mounting national debt despite a potentially prosperous nation

The Seven Years’ War (1756 – 1763)

  • Conflict Overview:

    • Global conflict involving major European powers

    • Colonial War (French-Indian War): British defeat French forces in North America, Caribbean, and India

    • On the Continent: Anti-Prussian alliances lead to near-defeat of Prussia, averted by Russian withdrawal

  • Treaty of Paris (1763):

    • Britain gains French Canada and lands between the Appalachian Mountains and the Mississippi

    • France retains Caribbean territories and select Indian trading posts

    • Reestablishment of prewar boundaries in Europe

Louis XVI (1774 – 1792) & Marie Antoinette

  • Louis XVI's Reign:

    • Succeeded at age 20, indecisive amidst crises

    • Married to Marie Antoinette, unpopular due to extravagance

  • Marie Antoinette's Missteps:

    • Lacked connection to the common people, extravagant lifestyle

    • Public sentiment soured by perceived insensitivity and lavish spending

    • Associated with the phrase "Let them eat cake"—though likely apocryphal

The American Revolution (1775 – 1781)

  • Impact of Enlightenment:

    • Inspired 13 colonies to revolt against British rule

  • Key Events:

    • 1776 Declaration of Independence, influenced by Enlightenment thinkers

    • Louis XVI's assistance to American colonies as revenge against Britain

    • French military involvement crucial to American victory

Parallels to the French Revolution

  • Similar Themes:

    • Revolt of common people against oppressive monarchy

    • Enlightened rhetoric used in Declaration resonates with French citizens

The Three Estates of France

  • Old Regime Structure:

    • Comprised of 3 Estates, a leftover from feudal times

  • Power Dynamics:

    • Clergy (First Estate) and Nobility (Second Estate) held significant power

First Estate

  • Composition:

    • Catholic clergy, encompassing 1% of the population

    • Owns 10% of land, no taxes owed to government

    • Functions as a governmental bureaucracy, overseeing taxes, education, and poverty relief

Second Estate

  • Composition:

    • Nobility, around 2% of the population

    • Owns 25% of land, exempt from most taxes, holds high offices

Third Estate

  • Composition:

    • Comprises about 97% of the population, owning 65% of land

    • Divided into:

      • Bourgeoisie (business class)

      • Rural Peasantry

      • Urban Peasantry

Issues of the Third Estate

  • Tax Burden:

    • Bears most of the taxation, with peasants losing half their income

    • Additional payments include rent, taxes on equipment, and church tithe

  • Social Mobility:

    • Limited mobility; rigid caste system enforces class structure

Financial Crisis

  • Noble Tax Exemptions:

    • Nobility lend money to the king but evade taxes

  • Bankruptcy Factors:

    • Constant wars contribute to crippling national debt

  • Budget Allocation:

    • 50% of the national budget goes to interest payments, limiting public service funding

Assembly of Notables (1787)

  • Call for Taxation:

    • Louis XVI assembles Notables to discuss a new land tax

    • Refusal from Notables prompts demand for more governing powers

Estates-General Preparations

  • Historical Context:

    • Estates-General not met since 1614, summoned to address newfound fiscal demands

    • Assumption of the Notables: quasi-power over the monarchy through Estates-General

Abbé Siéyès (1748-1836)

  • Pamphlet Impact:

    • Declared Third Estate embodies France's political will

    • Influential work "What is the Third Estate?" stated the nobility is a privileged minority

  • Revolutionary Call:

    • Demand for recognition and transformation of the political landscape