FOUNDATIONS OF THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

I. The Three Estates (The Old Regime)

1. First Estate — Clergy

  • Controlled church lands and collected tithes.

  • Paid no taxes to the state.

  • Held significant cultural and political influence.

2. Second Estate — Nobility

  • Owned ~25–30% of land.

  • Held top government, military, and court positions.

  • Also paid no taxes—a major source of resentment.

3. Third Estate — 97% of Population

  • Bourgeoisie: wealthy middle class (lawyers, merchants, professionals). Educated, influenced by Enlightenment.

  • Urban Workers: poor laborers; most affected by rising bread prices.

  • Peasants: owed feudal dues, labor obligations, and carried the major tax burden (taille, tithe, feudal fees).

  • No political power, despite their size.

Underlying Tension

  • Third Estate believed society violated natural rights and Enlightenment principles.

  • Demanded a fair tax system and representation.

II. Causes of the Revolution

A. Long-Term Causes

  1. Economic Inequality

    • Estates system unfairly distributed taxes.

    • Enlightenment thinkers (Locke, Rousseau, Voltaire) challenged absolute monarchy.

  2. Financial Crisis

    • Louis XIV’s legacy of debt.

    • Expensive wars (Seven Years’ War, helping the American colonists).

    • Government nearly bankrupt.

  3. Social Tensions

    • Rising bourgeoisie frustrated by lack of political power.

    • Nobles feared losing privilege; peasants faced heavy burdens.

B. Short-Term Triggers

  • Bread shortages & skyrocketing prices → riots.

  • Louis XVI’s indecision and weak leadership.

  • Calling of the Estates General (1789) signaled crisis.

EARLY REVOLUTION EVENTS

1. Estates General → National Assembly

  • Louis XVI calls Estates General for first time since 1614.

  • Voting by estate → Third Estate always outvoted 2–1.

  • Third Estate breaks away and forms the National Assembly, claiming to represent “the nation.”

Tennis Court Oath (June 1789)

  • Delegates swear not to disband until a constitution is created.

2. Storming of the Bastille (July 14, 1789)

  • Citizens attack a medieval prison for weapons.

  • Symbolic overthrow of the king’s tyranny.

  • Only 7 prisoners — symbol > actual military value.

  • Marks the start of violent revolution and peasant uprisings.

KEY DOCUMENTS

Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (1789)

  • Inspired by Enlightenment + American Revolution.

  • Declares:

    • Natural rights: liberty, property, security, resistance to oppression.

    • Equality before the law.

    • Government exists to protect rights.

    • Freedom of speech, press, religion.

    • Citizens may do anything as long as it harms no one else.

  • Major test point: Similar to U.S. Declaration → both argue government power comes from the people.

THE REVOLUTION RADICALIZES (1792–1794)

Jacobins vs. Girondins

Girondins

  • Moderate.

  • Wanted slow reform.

  • Feared executing the king would create instability.

Jacobins

  • Radical.

  • Wanted full equality and removal of the monarchy.

  • Led by Robespierre.

  • Eventually purged and executed the Girondins, moving into the radical phase.

Committee of Public Safety

  • Formed to protect France during war and internal rebellion.

  • Led by Robespierre.

  • Suspended freedoms to “save the revolution.”

  • No fair trials — use of Revolutionary Tribunals.

  • Enforced harsh policies to control dissent.

Reign of Terror (1793–1794)

  • About 40,000 executions, many by guillotine.

  • Robespierre argued terror was justified to preserve liberty.

  • Targets included:

    • Nobles

    • Clergy

    • Rival revolutionaries

    • Ordinary citizens

Execution of Louis XVI (January 1793)

  • Executed for treason.

  • Jacobins believed the revolution could not continue with a king alive.

NAPOLEON BONAPARTE

Why the French Supported Napoleon

  • Promised stability after years of chaos.

  • Maintained revolutionary ideals (meritocracy) while restoring order.

  • Successful military leader → national pride.

Napoleon’s Domestic Reforms

  1. Napoleonic Code

    • Standardized laws.

    • Protected property.

    • Promoted equality (though limited rights of women).

  2. Bank of France

    • Stabilized currency and credit.

  3. Public Education (Lycées)

    • Government-run schools to create efficient bureaucrats and officers.

Napoleon and Russia

Why Invade?

  • Russia broke the Continental System, Napoleon’s plan to economically weaken Britain.

His Biggest Mistake

  • Invading Russia in 1812.

  • Russians used scorched-earth tactics.

  • French army trapped in brutal winter (called “General Winter”).

  • Fewer than 10% of soldiers returned.

AMERICAN VS. FRENCH REVOLUTION

Similarities

  • Inspired by Enlightenment ideas.

  • Sought representative government.

  • Early political participation limited to property-owning men.

  • Both challenged monarchic or abusive authority.

Differences

  • American Revolution was mainly political; French became social + economic + political.

  • French Revolution radicalized; America did not experience a “Reign of Terror.”

  • American Revolution preserved existing elites; French Revolution sought to destroy feudal privilege.