French Revolution Overview

French Revolution (1789-1799)

• Key Dates: Revolution lasted from 1789 to 1799. Key event: Fall of the Bastille (July 14, 1789).

Causes and Early Stages

• Absolute Monarchy's Collapse: The Fall of the Bastille symbolized the end of absolute monarchy.
• Great Fear: Revolutionary fervor spread to rural areas. Peasants protested for cheaper bread and lower taxes, attacking aristocracy and destroying feudal records, leading to the abolition of feudalism. Feudal dues and unequal taxation ended.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen (DRMC): National Constituent Assembly created the DRMC, embodying Enlightenment ideals; emphasizing political and social equality, natural rights, and removal of old regime inequalities. King Louis XVI had a limited veto.
• Bread Shortages: Bread was crucial for peasants. Parisian women's march to Versailles, demanding bread, pressured King Louis to address the crisis and accept a limited veto.

Economic and Religious Changes

• Nationalization of Church Lands: The National Assembly nationalized church lands to finance the revolution and support the National Guard. Assignats, bonds backed by church land, were created as paper money, but inflation led to their devaluation.
• Civil Constitution of the Clergy: The Civil Constitution of the Clergy brought the Church under state control. Clergy were state-paid and elected by citizens. The Pope opposed, causing clergy to refuse oaths of allegiance.

First French Constitution and Political Evolution

• First French Constitution: Established a decentralized system with local councils, 83 departments, and elected officials. Removed intendants and parlements. New departments were created to equalize size and wealth. Courts were established with local courts, with the Court of Cassation in Paris as the final appeal. Juries were selected by citizens.
• Legislative Assembly: Elected legislature with a diverse political spectrum. (Moderates, Jacobins on the left, Girondins on the right). King's limited power.
• King's Flight to Varennes: The King attempted to flee, resulting in limited royal powers – loss of army control and a modified veto power, with a requirement of 2 months prior notification for his leaving.
• War with Austria: Girondins pushed France into war with Austria and Prussia. France's early defeats and domestic unrest followed. Parisian uprisings in August 1792 deposed the King and established a revolutionary government.
• September Massacres: Rumors of prisoner uprisings resulted in violence against prisoners.
• National Convention: Replaced the Legislative Assembly; abolished the monarchy and declared France a republic. A new constitution was drafted. Aggressive foreign policy promoting revolution abroad.

Reign of Terror

• Political Parties: Jacobins (Robespierre, Marat, Danton), Girondins (Brissot, Roland), and the Plain (uncommitted). Debate over the King's execution.
• King's Execution: King Louis XVI was executed in January 1793. Girondins were accused of supporting the monarchy, which resulted in them losing power.
• Committee of Public Safety: Executive body with extensive powers. Used war effort patriotism to unify and enforce a Republic of Virtue, ending the Old Regime.
• Republic of Virtue: Eliminated old regime remnants. Established a cult of worship of the Supreme Being. Introduced the metric system.
• End of Terror: Public fear of accusations and executions rose.
• Constitution of 1795: Established a bicameral legislature (Council of 500 and Council of Elders.) Executive power was assigned to five Directors chosen by the Elders from the Council of 500.

The Directory

• Directory's Challenges: Faced economic and military pressures: harvest failures and class conflicts, leading to a coup d'état.