Causes and Course of the Revolution

Overthrowing Feudalism

• The overthrow of the Ancien Regime

• The significant events of the French

revolution

• The role of ordinary people in the

revolution

• The second phase of the revolution:

1791-1794

French PhilosophersFrench philosophers

philosophers of the

“Enlightenment”

criticise the old system and to improve

society

and government.

British = elected government

The overthrow of the Ancien Regime

The ideals of the French revolution

• Liberty

• Equality constitution

• Fraternity slogan

• Individual freedom democracy

human rights

Libertyis freedom

freedom from royal control

roman catholic church

today = freedom of expression

human rights

Equality equality for all in the eyes of the law

noble birth should not have special

privileges

today = every one has the same rights from birth

regardless of their social standing

Fraternity That all people are brothers having the same

rights

everyone gets treated equally and

that every one is fair in the treatment of

each other

Today= community

The significant events of the French Revolution

• The first phase of the revolution: 1789-1791

• The revolution of the bourgeoisie

• The declaration of he rights of men and the citizen

The first phase of the revolution 1789-1791

France was bankrupt

King Louis decides he needs to do something

about it

• Calls together the Estates – General

o Representative body for the three estates

• Collect grievances = Cahiers

o This gives the third estate hope

• Demand that the feudal system be abolished

o Parliament and constitution & taxes be divided

Con…• What the people wanted

oAbolition of the letters de cachet (letters

of judgement signed by the king)

oDetention and imprisonment should follow

due processes

oNation to agree to own taxes

o Election of estate general every four

years

o Taxes levied on all classes equally

o Third estate to have representation in

parliament

The bourgeoisie controlled the national assembly

Reforms:

Abolish feudalism

The declaration of the Rights of Man and the Citizen

The church would fall under state authority

New constitution

The declaration of the Right of Men

The role of ordinary people in the revolution

Major changes are made from “ordinary people outside of

the national assembly

3Main Events

• Fall of the bastille• Great fear in the countryside• Women's march to Versailles

Rage of the peasants

Paris mob

UprisingsPolitical

voice

The fall of the Bastille

• Third estate = happy about the national assembly o Lead to riots in Paris

• The king takes action o 20 000 troops into the city

This and the fact that bread prices are so high

Paris mob = rampage

“sans-culottes”

Storming of the Bastille• 17 July 1789

• Prison fortresso Gun powder

• Governor of the fortresso Marquis de Launay

o Captures any guards and

beheaded the governor

• Only 7 prisoners

• Symbolic victoryo Successfully challenged the

king.

• Broke down the bastille

The great fear• Violence and mobs became part of every day life

• In towns and the country side

• Summer 1789 = the great fear

• Peasants burnt down nobles houses

• Refused to pay taxes tithes and feudal dues

• King Louis o Recalls finance minister = Necker

o Abolishes Feudalism

March of the women

5&6 October

Women wanted change because they couldn’t afford to feed their families

Demand to see

the king

11km palace of Versailles

In the rain

Wanted to see the king and force him to take action

Royal family to Paris

Royal family

protected by Lafayette

The men took the Bastille and the women took the king

King granted

them grain