In-Depth Notes on the French Revolution and Enlightenment

The Enlightenment (Age of Reason)

• Scientific Discoveries: Renaissance scientists discovered natural laws (like gravity). Enlightenment thinkers asked: Can we apply these to society and government?

• Philosophes' Inquiry: Writers and thinkers (like Voltaire, Rousseau, and Montesquieu) questioned traditional beliefs and promoted reason.

• Secular Thinking: Instead of relying on religion, people started using logic and reason to shape governments.

• Critique of Absolute Monarchy:

  • Kings claimed they ruled by divine right (God’s choice).

  • Enlightenment thinkers argued rulers should serve the people, not the other way around.

Long-Term Causes of the French Revolution

1. Absolutism: The king had total power—ordinary people had no say.

2. Economic Hardship: Poor harvests → Food shortages → Farmers couldn't pay taxes.

3. Enlightenment Ideas: Inspired people to demand freedom and fairness.

4. Financial Crisis: France was broke from expensive wars (including helping the American Revolution).

5. Mercantilism Issues: Strict trade laws made businesses struggle.

6. Other Revolutions:

   • Glorious Revolution (England, 1688): Limited the king’s power.

   • American Revolution (1775-1783): Showed that ordinary people could

     

Preparing for the Estates-General (1788-1789)

• King Louis XVI called a meeting to solve the financial crisis.

• Cahiers: Lists of complaints from citizens (like a suggestion box, but for revolution).

France’s Bankruptcy & Monarchical Control

• Luxurious Spending: The king and queen (Marie Antoinette) lived in extreme wealth while France was broke.

• Deficit Spending: The government spent more than it collected.

• Tax Resistance: Nobles and clergy refused to pay taxes.

• Lettres de Cachet: King could arrest anyone without trial.

Society under the Old Regime (Three Estates)

1. First Estate: Clergy (church leaders) – didn’t pay taxes.

2. Second Estate: Nobles – didn’t pay taxes.

3. Third Estate: Everyone else (peasants, workers, bourgeoisie) – paid all the taxes.

The Abolishment of the Monarchy (1793)

• The monarchy was abolished.

• Louis XVI executed (Jan 21, 1793).

• Marie Antoinette executed (Oct 16, 1793).

• The king’s children were imprisoned/exiled.

End of Special Privileges

• Church lands seized and redistributed.

• Civil Constitution of the Clergy: Church officials elected, not appointed by the pope.

• Abolition of Feudal Dues: Peasants no longer had to pay nobles.

Reforms in Local Government

• France was divided into 83 districts with elected officials.

• New courts with elected judges were established.

Declaration of the Rights of Man (1789)

• Key Rights: Freedom of religion, speech, press, and property.

• Core Motto: "Liberty, Equality, Fraternity!"

• Sovereignty belongs to the people, not the king.

Tennis Court Oath (June 1789)

• The Third Estate was locked out of a meeting.

• They met at a tennis court and promised to write a new constitution.

The Four Phases of the French Revolution

1. National Assembly (1789-1791): Revolution begins; monarchy loses power.

2. Legislative Assembly (1791-1792): King still exists, but limited power.

3. Convention (1792-1795): Republic formed; king executed.

4. Directory (1795-1799): Chaos, corruption, and Napoleon rising to power.

The Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)

• Angry Parisians attacked the Bastille (a prison and symbol of royal power).

• They took weapons and freed prisoners.

• Émigrés: Nobles fled France, fearing execution.