The French Revolution

Timeline• 1745: The Enlightenment led to

criticism of the Monarchy• 1756: Seven Years’ War cripples French

navy, Britain becomes a world power

Rousseau and Voltaire

Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette

• 1774: Coronation of Louis XVI

American Colonists: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of

Happiness• 1776: American Revolution• 1778: France declares war on Britain

in support of American colonies

Increasing Troubles for France

• 1783: Treaty of Paris ends American War—success of colonists fuels French citizens

• 1787: A time of financial troubles for Louis XVI

Estates-General• 1st Estate: Clergy/Church• 2nd Estate: Royalty/Aristocrats—born into wealth• 3rd Estate (97% of population): Commoners (70%),

Bourgeoisie (28%)—middle class, educated, working class

1789• Estates-General convenes for the

first time since 1614 to raise taxes• Third Estate (commons) locked out of

voting on constitution

1789• July 14: Storming of the Bastille—

ammunition cache• August 27: Declaration of the Rights

of Man and the Citizen

Versailles• October 5-6: Paris mob storms Versailles

The Hall of Mirrors

Queen’s and King’s Bed Chamber

The Chapel and Garden

The Guillotine• September 2-5, 1792: September

Massacres; 1200, prisoners, including over 200 clergy, killed in fear they were siding with Prussians

• About 40,000 died by guillotine during the Revolution—80% + were commoners

The Reign of Terror

• Period of violence from 27 Jun 1793-27 July 1793

• Committee of Public Safety established—led by Robespierre

• Robespierre: A leader of the Revolution; extreme left-wing bourgeoisie; called for king’s execution; instrumental in Reign of Terror

• Marat: Helped launch Reign of Terror• Danton: Helped launch Reign of Terror

1790-1799• January 21, 1793:

Louis XVI executed• February 1: War

declared on Britain, Holland, and Spain

• October 16: Marie Antoinette executed

• 1799: Napoleonic Era begins

Causes of the Revolution

• Increasing, enormous debt• Government lavish spending• Archaic taxation system in which the

Third Estate had greatest burden and least representation

• American Revolution• High unemployment• Scarcity of food

9 Thermidor• 9 Thermidor Year II: The end of the

Reign of Terror. 27 July 1794 Robespierre and Public Safety Committee convicted as outlaws. All were guillotined the following day.

The Scarlet Pimpernel