Copy of French Revolution Notes and Outline

BACKGROUND TO THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

• The French Revolution signifies the inception of modern European history.

• It serves as a pivotal turning point in European political and social history.

• This event initiated a liberal movement aimed at extending political rights and power to the bourgeoisie, the middle class with capital (money and resources).

THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE OLD REGIME

• French society functioned under a system of legal inequality and privilege.

• Three Orders/Estates:

  1. First Estate - The Clergy

     • Comprised about 130,000 individuals out of a population of about 27 million.

     • Owned 10% of land, with vast wealth disparities among its members.

  2. Second Estate - The Nobles

     • Consisted of around 350,000, holding key positions in government, military, and judiciary.

     • Divided into two types: The Nobility of the Robe and Nobility of the Sword.

     • Desired to expand privileges and maintain control over high offices.

  3. Third Estate - The Commoners

     • Included the majority of the population, ranging from the poorest to wealthy individuals without titles.

     • Comprised of peasants (75-80% of the population), skilled artisans, wage earners, and urban poor.

     • Played a crucial role in the Revolution, with the bourgeoisie as part of this estate.

BOURGEOISIE

• Represented about 8% of the population, totaling approximately 2.3 million.

• Included merchants, industrialists, bankers, and professionals (akin to modern "white collar" workers).

• Resented exclusion from top jobs and the social/political privileges enjoyed by nobles.

• Shared Enlightenment ideas, advocating for social and political reforms but differing in views on the scope of these changes.

PROBLEMS FACING THE FRENCH MONARCHY

• Economic Challenges:

  • Bad harvests in 1787-1788 leading to food shortages.

  • Rise in food prices and unemployment in urban areas.

• Influence of Enlightenment ideas fostering a desire for governmental reform.

• Resistance from French Parliaments (noble judges) against new taxes.

• Immediate Causes of Revolution:

  • Financial collapse from overspending on wars and royal luxuries.

  • Increased government debt; half of revenue directed towards interest payments.

  • Failed tax reform attempts by Charles de Calonne.

  • The Estates-General, last convened in 1614, became necessary to address taxation issues.

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

• Estates-General Called: summoned to address the financial crisis, but there were fears of major governmental reforms.

• Delegates, primarily unprepared for revolution, triggered the revolutionary movement.

ESTATES-GENERAL

• Representatives from the First, Second, and Third Estates.

• Elections held for representatives, with the Third Estate receiving twice the number of delegates.

• Majority of Third Estate delegates were lawyers and artisans.

• Reform-minded representatives sought a constitutional government to abolish tax privileges.

VOTING DISPUTE AND THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

• Meeting at Versailles in May 1789 revealed disputes over voting: traditionally by order, risking Third Estate outvoting.

• Abbe Sieyes’ pamphlet "What is the Third Estate?" urged focus on the Third Estate's significance.

• Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly on June 17, 1789.

• Tennis Court Oath on June 20, 1789: commitment to draft a constitution.

INTERVENTION OF THE COMMON PEOPLE

• King's military presence provoked anger, leading to organized mobs in Paris.

• Fall of the Bastille - July 14, 1789:

  • Marked the end of royal authority in Paris, leading to the formation of the National Guard.

DESTRUCTION OF THE OLD REGIME

• The National Assembly (1789-1791) initiated a constitutional monarchy reform.

• Abolished feudalism and privileges on August 4, 1789.

• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen - August 26, 1789:

  • Established foundational liberties and governmental obligations towards citizens.

  • Promoted civil rights, ended legal inequalities, and ensured political participation.

• Olympe de Gouges advocated for equal political rights for women.

WOMEN'S MARCH TO VERSAILLES

• October 5, 1789: Thousands of women marched to demand bread, forcing the king to move to Paris.

REVOLUTION AND THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

• National Assembly confiscated church property and issued the Civil Constitution of the Clergy in July 1790.

• Required clergy to be elected and compensated by the government, leading to a rift between the Church and revolutionary leaders.

A NEW CONSTITUTION

• Constitution of 1791 transitioned France to a constitutional monarchy; limited king's power.

• The Legislative Assembly was formed, distinguishing between active (tax-paying) and passive citizens.

• The rise of the Jacobins intensified radical political activities.

OPPOSITION FROM ABROAD

• Old Regime monarchs opposed the Revolution, fearing its influence.

• Declaration of Pillnitz provoked French hostility, resulting in war declaration against Austria in April 1792.

SUMMER OF 1792

• France faced military defeats, economic difficulties, and radical protests leading to the Paris Commune's rise.

• Radicals attacked the king's palace, resulting in monarchy suspension and National Convention formation.

THE RADICAL REVOLUTION

• August 1792 marked the end of monarchy and the emergence of radical governance.

• The Sans-culottes, ordinary citizens demanding deeper reforms, became prominent.

• September Massacres targeted suspected counter-revolutionaries.

THE GIRONDE AND THE MOUNTAIN

• The Girondins favored provincial interests; the Mountain (Jacobin) group pushed for king's execution.

• January 1793 saw the trial and execution of Louis XVI.

FOREIGN CRISES

• The "First Coalition" formed against revolutionary France post-execution of Louis XVI, leading to further government measures.

• Committee of Public Safety arose under Robespierre for managing national crises.

THE REIGN OF TERROR

• Organized by the National Convention to counter internal dissent, leading to widespread executions.

• Lasted for about nine months with approximately 50,000 victims.

DECHRISTIANIZATION AND A NEW CALENDAR

• Efforts to de-Christianize France backfired, fueling opposition to the Revolution.

• A new revolutionary calendar was established, along with new societal reforms.

EQUALITY AND SLAVERY

• In 1794, the National Convention abolished slavery in all colonies, inspired by revolts in Saint Domingue.

DECLINE OF THE COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY

• The Committee attempted to moderate excesses of the Terror.

• Robespierre's increasingly radical stance led to his downfall and execution in July 1794, marking the end of the radical phase.

REACTION AND THE DIRECTORY

• The Thermidorian Reaction concluded the Terror, re-established churches, and created a more stable constitution.

• The Constitution of 1795 introduced a two-chamber legislature and an executive body consisting of five Directors.

• The Directory was characterized by stagnation, corruption, and increasing discontent among both the left and right.