BY DENNIS SHULTZMCCAIG DOVECECE MOORE

The French RevolutionThree events through multiple

perspectives.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man

The Declaration of the Rights of Man was the French equivalent of the United States’ Declaration of Independence. It outlined what the people of France believed were their natural rights, and their idea of the role of government. It was first issued in 1789 by the National Assembly. It is still an important document today, and has served as a partial basis for the U.N.’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Nobility’s Response The text to the right is an

excerpt from The Declaration of Pillnitz, which was written by nobleman émigré the Count of Artois.

The Count of Artois was a formally noble French émigré and was very against the declaration of the rights of man. In this passage he says that troops should be gathered in order to stop the king from establishing sovereignty. This statement reflects the views of most nobles during this time.

"Consequently, jointly with their respective Majesties, they will use the most efficient means in relation to their strengths to place the King of France in a position to be totally free to consolidate the bases of a monarchical government that shall be as amenable to the rights of sovereigns as it is to the well-being of the French nation.…”

“Meanwhile, they shall issue their troops the necessary orders to prepare them for action."

Bourgeoisie’s Response THE BOURGEOISIE WERE THE

MAIN AUTHORS OF THIS DOCUMENT

the men of the bourgeoisie liked the idea of the Declaration of the Rights of Man

they were happy with this document because it ensured their equality with the other classes

fair taxes for them-document called for taxes to be levied according to ability to pay

all male citizens equal before the law

religious tolerance equal right to hold public office

“In consequence, the National Assembly recognizes and declares, in the presence and under the auspices of the Supreme Being, the following rights of man and the citizen:

1. Men are born and remain free and equal in rights. Social distinctions may be based only on common utility.

2. The purpose of all political association is the preservation of the natural and imprescriptible rights of man. These rights are liberty, property, security, and resistance to oppression.

Foreign Government’s Response

The text to the right is an excerpt from The Contest of Faculties, an essay written by Immanuel Kant.

In it, Kant observed the importance of the DRM, and noted that such a document was a blow against oppressive regimes.

"Why has no ruler ever dared to say openly that he does not recognize any rights of the people against himself?”

“The reason is that any such public declaration would rouse up all the subjects against the ruler, even although they had been like docile sheep, well fed, powerfully protected and led by a kind and understanding master, and had no lack of welfare to complain of."

The Execution of Louis XVI

The Execution of Louis the XVI was probably the high water mark of the Reign of Terror. It was also the most radical moment in the revolution. Before, there had at least been some semblance of monarchy, but with this execution, the monarchy was completely destroyed, and the Revolution asserted it’s power and authority.

The émigrés response The émigrés, nobles and

clergymen who had fled France, supported Louis XVI, even unto his death. They planned and hoped to return the king to power, but his execution left those dreams shattered.

This romanticized depiction of his stately bearing before his death, credits him with his finest moment.

While the majority of Frenchmen supported Louis’ death, his departed supporters emphasized his courage in the face of death, clearly showing their despair.

Bourgeoisie’s response most supported the execution

of the king thought he was a traitor who

did not actually support the reforms of France

tried to flee his own country others thought that beheading

the king was too harsh of a punishment and that he should be able to live

argued that the action of beheading Louis XVI was too radical of a decision

one newspaper even described those who supported the execution as “cruel savages”

“The executioner immediately lifted the head from the sack into which it fell automatically and displayed it to the people.

As soon as the execution had taken place, the expression on the faces of many spectators changed and, from having worn an air of somber consternation, they shifted to another mood and fell to crying, "Vive la Nation!" At least one can say this of the cavalry who witnessed the execution and who waved their helmets on the point of their sabers.”

Foreign Government’s response In the image to the right, A

Democrat… or Reason and Philosophy, contemporary British cartoonist James Gillray portrays a sans-culottes, the most radical group of the French revolutionaries

This interpretation of the sans-culottes was most probably made after King Louis XVI’s execution, hence the bloody hands and knife, though it’s exact date is never specified.

The fall of Napoleon, 1814

Napoleon Bonaparte brought order and power to France, after it’s long revolution had reduced the country to chaos. He attempted to extend his power beyond France’s capacity, and thus was eventually defeated by a coalition of European countries. His fall marked the end of the revolution, and the end of France’s continental dominance. Though he would soon rise again to power, it was for a mere 100 days, and thus, nothing drastic had happened.

Provincial government’s responseThis image shows the

growing discontent with Napoleon, especially from a military, or governmental point of view.

Napoleon is seen in the top left corner, riding a horse, proud and regal. Behind him, however, are the mutinous remains of his once invincible army.

For government officials, Napoleon’s fall from power was beneficial, for it would mean that a peace could be created.

Bourgeoisie’s response Initially, many people were

disappointed and angry with Napoleon, for his military failures.

It can clearly be seen in this picture that the many soldiers, most of whom were of the former Third Estate, are cold, disillusioned, and mutinous.

However, they soon switched their loyalties back to Napoleon, because Louis XVIII sent France into another economic depression and spread fear of the old regime returning.

Foreign Government’s response

Foreign governments sighed with relief when Napoleon abdicated from the throne.

In the image to the right, entitled The Exorcism: Ridding France of the Devil Napoleon, you can see multiple European nationalities expelling Napoleon.

Bibliography (not in any particular order)

"Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, 26 August 1789". Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. March 1, 2009 <http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/295/>.

Pernoud, Georges. "Execution of the King (21 January 1793)". Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. March 1, 2009 <http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/327/>.

Fall of Napoleon. Hard News, Inc. Web. 1 Mar. 2010. <hardnewsinc.blogs.com/.../meanwhile_over_.html>.

the Count of Artois, . "The Declaration of Pillnitz." Exploring the French Revolution. 1966. Web. 1 Mar 2010. <http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/421/>.

"Debris of the French Army Returning to the Fatherland in June 1813." Exploring the French Revolution. Web. 1 Mar 2010. <http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/163/>.

Bibliography (continued)

Unknown. "Son of Saint Louis Going up to Heaven…" unknown. Online Image. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. February 27, 2010. http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/179/

  James Gillray. "A Democrat… or Reason and Philosophy."

unknown. Online Image. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. February 25, 2010. http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/24/

  Unknown. "The Exorcism: Ridding France of the Devil Napoleon."

unknown. Online Image. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. February 22, 2010. http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/166/

  Kant, The Contest of Faculties. Liberty, Equality, Fraternity.

Unknown. March 1, 2010. http://chnm.gmu.edu/revolution/d/564/