Prelude to the French Revolution

Prelude to the French Revolution

  • The Storming of the Bastille

    • Date: July 14, 1789

Overview of Key Questions

  • American Revolution's Impact on Europe

  • The Three Estates in Late 1700s France

  • Causes of the Outbreak of the French Revolution (1789)

Roots of the American Revolution

  • Colonial Foundations

    • Colonies founded by private groups, either corporations or religious refugees.

    • Developed the habit of managing their own internal affairs early in their existence.

  • Colonial Success and British Control

    • By late 1600s and early 1700s, colonies became more lucrative, prompting British efforts to exert control.

    • Resistance emerged in response to British control measures.

  • Conflict Escalation

    • Tensions escalated rapidly during the 1760s and early 1770s, culminating in fighting starting in 1775 between colonists and British troops.

Challenges During the Revolutionary War

  • British Superiority

    • Great Britain was a leading military and economic power with unmatched resources compared to the colonies.

    • Visuals: British redcoats; British and French naval squadrons during the Battle of the Virginia Capes (1781).

George Washington's Leadership

  • Continental Army Commander

    • Future U.S. President George Washington noted for being an adept organizer and strategist despite mediocre battlefield performance.

    • Strategy: Prolong conflict until British became fatigued and were willing to negotiate a settlement.

Treaty of Paris (1783)

  • Outcomes for the Americans

    • Recognition of the United States as an independent country by Britain.

    • Cession of territory by Britain up to the Mississippi River.

    • Access granted to U.S. for Canadian fisheries.

  • Britain's Outcomes

    • U.S. pledges to avoid further persecution of British loyalists remaining in the U.S.

    • Congress recommended that states reimburse loyalists for seized property.

    • Debts owed to British creditors were allowed to be collected.

Constitutional Convention of 1787

  • Meeting Location: Philadelphia State House.

  • Purpose: Address deficiencies of the Articles of Confederation.

  • Outcome: Creation of a new governing document, the Constitution of the United States.

European Reactions to the American Revolution

  • Attitudes of European Monarchies

    • Generally dismissed the American Revolution, predicting failure of self-government.

  • Enlightenment Philosophes' Perspective

    • Viewed the United States as a testing ground for Enlightenment ideas.

    • Quote: "I am tempted to believe that North America will be the country where reason and humanity will develop more rapidly than anywhere else" — Swiss philosophe.

France’s Social Structure: The Three Estates

  • First Estate – Clergy

    • Comprising about 0.5% of the population (approx. 130,000 people).

    • Owned roughly 10% of France's land.

    • Exempt from the taille (land tax).

  • Second Estate – Nobility

    • Comprising about 1% of the population (approx. 350,000 people).

    • Owned approximately 25-30% of France's land.

    • Often exempt from the taille.

  • Third Estate – Commoners

    • Constituted 97-98% of France’s population, including peasants, artisans, and bourgeoisie (merchants).

Visualization of Economic Burdens

  • Engraving Depiction: Farmer crushed by "Taille, Impots, et Corvée" (tithes, taxation, and forced labor), with figures representing the First and Second Estates above him.

Economic Reforms Prior to the Revolution

  • Anne-Robert-Jacques Turgot

    • A member of the physiocrat school, advocating for financial reforms.

    • Reforms met strong opposition from the Parlement of Paris.

    • Parlement's Argument: The nobility and clergy serve the state through defense and advice, while the Third Estate fulfills its obligation through taxes and physical labor.

Opening of the Estates-General in 1789

  • Abbé Emmanuel Joseph Sieyès’ Pamphlet

    • In January 1789, as the Estates General was preparing to meet, he wrote “What is the Third Estate?” advocating for social reform and class equality.

  • Tennis Court Oath

    • June 20, 1789: Representatives of the Third Estate were locked out of the Estates General meeting and swore an oath to not disband until a new constitution was established.

Conditions Leading to the Revolution

  • Reflection Exercise: Consider the perspective of a Third Estate member in summer 1789. Reflect on why conditions appeared unacceptable and what social structures might provoke anger.

The Storming of the Bastille

  • Event Description

    • On July 14, 1789, a crowd stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority.

    • Presence of French army soldiers and cannon during the mob's actions.

    • Significance: This event was among numerous peasant uprisings across France in summer 1789, forcing Louis XVI to flee to Versailles, effectively abdicating power.

Establishment of the National Assembly

  • Overview: After the Revolution's outbreak, a new legislature called the National Assembly was formed, lasting two years until its dissolution in 1791.

  • Role: Witnessed overhauling of the "old France."

Consequences of the Revolution

  • Loss of Control

    • Events spiraled out of control for the revolution's initiators, particularly until the rise of Napoleon. The Paris Mob began to influence the revolution's trajectory.

    • Analogy: "Riding a tiger" signifies an uncontrollable but preferable situation.

Vocabulary Terms for Presentation

  • Key Terms:

    • George Washington

    • Treaty of Paris (1783)

    • Bill of Rights

    • The Three Estates (France)

    • National Assembly