The French Revolution

Study Notes

14 July 1789, French citizens in Paris concerned over rumors that the King ordered his soldiers to fire on the people
Crowds gathered at the Bastille prison, eventually overwhelming and capturing it
This sparked a wider rebellion across France, with peasants and commoners resisting high taxes and food shortages
French population had grown from 23 million in 1750 to 28 million by 1789, leading to food shortages and rising prices
The Third Estate, representing the common people, grew frustrated with their lack of political power and rising inequality
In 1789, the Estates-General was convened, but the Third Estate was denied equal voting rights, leading them to form the National Assembly
The National Assembly swore the Tennis Court Oath, vowing to not disband until a new constitution was established
In response, King Louis XVI mobilized troops, further angering the people and triggering the Storming of the Bastille
This marked the start of the French Revolution, which would overthrow the monarchy and establish the First French Republic

The National Assembly drafted a new constitution in 1791, limiting the power of the monarchy
The constitution established a system of checks and balances, with a legislative body, an executive branch, and a judiciary
Active citizens (men over 25 who paid taxes) were granted the right to vote, while passive citizens had fewer rights
The constitution sought to establish equality, freedom of speech, and other Enlightenment ideals
However, the new system favored the wealthy and excluded the poor and landless peasants

Radical Jacobin faction gained control, leading to the Reign of Terror and the execution of King Louis XVI
The Jacobins sought to eliminate opposition through mass executions, leading to thousands of deaths
This included the abolition of slavery in French colonies, but also the suppression of free speech and press
The Jacobin rule eventually led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who would establish the French Empire

French citizens in Paris stormed the Bastille prison on 14 July 1789, sparked by concerns over rumors of the King's orders to fire on the people.
The event triggered a wider rebellion across France, with peasants and commoners resisting high taxes and food shortages.
The French population had grown from 23 million in 1750 to 28 million by 1789, leading to food shortages and rising prices.
The Third Estate, representing the common people, was frustrated with their lack of political power and rising inequality.
The Estates-General was convened in 1789, but the Third Estate was denied equal voting rights, leading them to form the National Assembly.
The National Assembly swore the Tennis Court Oath, vowing to not disband until a new constitution was established.

The National Assembly drafted a new constitution in 1791, limiting the power of the monarchy.
The constitution established a system of checks and balances, with a legislative body, an executive branch, and a judiciary.
Active citizens (men over 25 who paid taxes) were granted the right to vote, while passive citizens had fewer rights.
The constitution aimed to establish equality, freedom of speech, and other Enlightenment ideals.

The radical Jacobin faction gained control, leading to the Reign of Terror and the execution of King Louis XVI.
The Jacobins sought to eliminate opposition through mass executions, resulting in thousands of deaths.
The Reign of Terror led to the abolition of slavery in French colonies, but also suppressed free speech and press.
The Jacobin rule eventually led to the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte, who established the French Empire.