HIST136: French Revolution 2

Introduction to the French Revolution (1789-1792)

• Overview of the transition from constitutional monarchy to radicalization and violence.

• Events leading to the end of the revolution and the rise of Napoleon's dictatorship will be discussed in subsequent lectures.

The Great Fear (Summer 1789)

• Reaction in the countryside against rising food prices following a bad winter.

• Suspicions and rumors in rural areas around famine plots and brigands invading.

• Misery of food shortages contributed to violence against landlords and property.

• Emigration of nobles and significant actions by everyday people during this period.

• Unrest in the countryside motivated responses in the National Assembly.

The National Assembly: Legislative Developments

• Creation of a constitution was a primary goal amid pressure from outside forces.

• Key events included the storming of the Bastille and the establishment of the National Assembly in August 1789.

• The assembly faced pressure from ordinary Parisians and rural demands for immediate change.

Abolition of Feudalism (August 4, 1789)

• Proposal initiated by Vicomte de Noe; abolition of feudal rights announced.

• Legislation aimed at declaring egalitarian principles, eradicating privileges of the nobility and the clergy.

• 15 decrees implementing these changes, affirming sovereignty of citizens under law.

Reaction and Religious Tensions

• The peasantry’s actions had already dismantled parts of the old feudal regime.

• Tension between revolutionary changes and traditional Catholic values.

• Calls for a new structure for financing religious practices post-abolition of tithes.

• Creation of the Civil Constitution of the Clergy (July 1790) to regulate church governance under state control.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen (August 26, 1789)

• Enshrined Enlightenment principles emphasizing natural rights and equality.

• Promoted the idea of citizens participating in political processes based on virtue and talent.

• Exclusion of women and various social groups from citizenship led to critiques.

Women's Participation in the Revolution

• Women organized clubs and demonstrations, actively challenging their exclusion from formal politics.

• Olympe de Gouges' Declaration of the Rights of Woman (1791) argued for gender equality in political representation.

Political Divisions and the Role of the King

• The king's reluctance to support revolutionary changes contributed to the growing divide.

• In June 1791, the King and his family attempted to flee Paris, leading to their capture.

• This marked a significant rift between the monarchy and revolutionary ideals.

Conflict and Perceptions of the Revolution

• The National Assembly's struggles to manage the pressures from various factions led to drastic legislative actions.

• Growing radical sentiments within revolutionary factions, particularly influenced by the sans-culottes.

• Increasingly polarized debates led to calls for the creation of a republic and military action against foreign threats.

Gender and Militant Citizenship

• Women like Pauline Léon advocated for rights to bear arms, demonstrating political agency despite restrictions.

• Female activists faced backlash suggesting their roles were unnatural and inappropriate within the revolutionary context.

War and Radicalization (April 1792)

• France declares war on Austria, heightening tensions and radicalizing the revolution.

• This leads to significant shifts, including the rise of revolutionary justice and the eventual terror.

Conclusion and Future Topics

• The lecture emphasizes the conflicting pressures faced by the National Assembly and the significant role of women.

• Upcoming discussions will focus on the events during the Reign of Terror and how these dynamics ultimately shaped revolutionary France.