French Revolution: First Phase (1789-1792)

First Phase of the French Revolution (1789-1792)

• This period marks the transition from the modern era to contemporary times in French history.
• The phase covers the shift from an absolute monarchy to a republic with national sovereignty.

Context of 1789

• Bourgeoisie became wealthy but resented the privileges of the nobility and clergy.
• The people struggled with heavy taxes due to the king's wars.
• Enlightenment ideas of liberty and questioning monarchical power were circulating.

The Estates-General and Formation of the National Assembly

• Louis XVI convened the Estates-General in May 1789 to address fiscal problems.
• Representatives of the three orders were summoned to find solutions for the king.
• The Third Estate formed the National Assembly on June 17 after failing to secure voting by head.
• On June 20, they vowed not to separate until they had given France a constitution.
• This was a political revolution as sovereignty transferred from the king to the nation's representatives.

Storming of the Bastille and the Great Fear

• Parisians stormed the Bastille on July 14, 1789, symbolizing defiance against the king's power.
• The event triggered the Great Fear in the countryside as peasants attacked nobles' castles.

Abolition of Privileges and Declaration of Rights

• The National Assembly abolished privileges on August 4, 1789, ending the order-based society.
• The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was proclaimed on August 26, 1789, establishing equality, separation of powers, and national sovereignty.

Reforms and the Constitution of 1791

• France was divided into departments in 1790 for better control of the territory.
• The clergy was compelled to swear allegiance to the nation through the Civil Constitution of the Clergy.
• A constitution was adopted in September 1791, creating a constitutional monarchy with a division of powers.
• The king held executive power, while the National Assembly, elected through suffrage, had legislative power.

Royal Flight and the Shift towards a Republic

• The King tried to flee France to gain support from foreign powers but was arrested in Varennes on June 21, 1791.
• The event fueled calls for his removal, leading to a demonstration on July 17 repressed by the National Assembly.

War and the End of the Monarchy

• Louis XVI pushed for war with Austria in April 1792 but French defeats mounted.
• The people of Paris invaded the Tuileries Palace on August 10, 1792, forcing the assembly to suspend the king.
• A convention was elected, and the republic was proclaimed on September 22, 1792, after the French victory at Valmy.
• Louis XVI was executed on January 21, 1793, after a vote by the revolutionaries.

Conclusion

• The French Revolution resulted from long-standing tensions between the orders of French society.
• 1789 marked the transfer of sovereignty from king to nation via force.
• Divisions among revolutionaries fueled tensions and violence.
• Despite the destitution and execution of Louis XVI, a return to the past was impossible.

The initial phase of the French Revolution (1789-1792) marked a shift from the modern era to contemporary times. It transitioned France from an absolute monarchy to a republic with national sovereignty. Key factors included bourgeois resentment, heavy taxes, and Enlightenment ideas.