The French Revolution: Part 1

AP European HistoryMs. Jennifer L. Blank

“The only thing that one really knows about human nature is that it changes.

Change is the one quality we can predicate of it. The systems that fail are

those that rely on the permanency of human nature, and not on its growth and

development. The error of Louis XIV was that he

thought human nature would always be the same.

The result of his error was the French Revolution.

It was an admirable result.”Oscar Wilde

“The consequences of things are not always proportionate to the apparent magnitude of

those events that have produced them.

Thus the American Revolution, from which little was expected, produced much; but the

French Revolution, from which much was expected, produced little.”

Charles Caleb Colton

The Beginnings of the Revolutionary Era: The

American Revolution

Background to the French Revolution

The French Revolution

The Age of Napoleon

Key Topics:

The American Revolution

Forming a New Nation Impact on Europe

Background to French Revolution Social Structure of France

First Estate Second Estate Third Estate

Problems Facing the Monarchy

Key Topics in this Power Point:

Great Britain greatest colonial power in the world Abused the colonists of the New World

Demanded massive taxes Reneged on promises Removed certain rights due to British citizens

France jumped in on the side of the colonists Supplied arms & $$ Supplied man power and commanders with

military experience Treaty of Paris (1783) ended the war

The American Revolution:

Established Articles of Confederation in 1781

Lacked a strong central government Very ineffective

Constitution ratified in 1788 Established 3 branches of government Checks & balances Separation of powers Federalism Bill of Rights

Constitution narrowly approved

The American Revolution: Forming a New Nation

1789: BIG YEAR! The American Revolution (AR)

Proved that political philosophy of Enlightenment thinkers was viable as effective government

The French Revolution (FR) Piggy-backed on the ideas in the AR

Popular sovereignty Rights of man Ideals of liberty & equality Freedom of Thought, Religion, Press

Marquis de Lafayette Friend to GW Member of “Society of 30”

This society helped spark the FR

The American Revolution: Impact on Europe

Society of 30

Club composed of members of Paris Salons REVIEW: What were Salons? Significance? “lovers of liberty” Obsessed with the ideas that embodied the AR

Popular sovereignty http://www.basiclaw.net/Principles/Popular%20sovereignty.

htm Individual liberties Republicanism http

://plato.stanford.edu/entries/republicanism/

The American Revolution: Impact on Europe

Important Works:

Declaration of Independence (1776)

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. That they are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”

The American Revolution: Impact on Europe

Declaration of the Rights of Man & the Citizen (1789) The representatives of the French people, organized as a National

Assembly, believing that the ignorance, neglect, or contempt of the rights of man are the sole cause of public calamities and of the corruption of governments, have determined to set forth in a solemn declaration the natural, unalienable, and sacred rights of man, in order that this declaration, being constantly before all the members of the Social body, shall remind them continually of their rights and duties;

in order that the acts of the legislative power, as well as those of the executive power, may be compared at any moment with the objects and purposes of all political institutions and may thus be more respected, and, lastly, in order that the grievances of the citizens, based hereafter upon simple and incontestable principles, shall tend to the maintenance of the constitution and redound to the happiness of all.

The American Revolution: Impact on Europe

Declaration of the Rights of Women & the Female Citizen (1791) Believing that ignorance, omission, or scorn for the rights of

woman are the only causes of public misfortunes and of the corruption of governments, [the women] have resolved to set forth a solemn declaration the natural, inalienable, and sacred rights of woman in order that this declaration, constantly exposed before all members of the society, will ceaselessly remind them of their rights and duties;

in order that the authoritative acts of women and the authoritative acts of men may be at any moment compared with and respectful of the purpose of all political institutions; and in order that citizens' demands, henceforth based on simple and incontestable principles, will always support the constitution, good morals, and the happiness of all.

The American Revolution: Impact on Europe

Significance of AR (general)

Short run: Very significant

Long run: Not as significant as FR

Inspired the love of liberty & spirit of revolution Different circumstances Contained different players Varying motives Different level of violence

Significance of FR (general) More complex More violent More radical: new political & social orders Most subsequent revolutions follow French model, not American

The American Revolution: Impact on Europe

Caused by long-range & immediate problems

Wealth disproportionately spread in society Idea of privilege (inequality of rights) Legal distinctions between classes

France experienced 50 years of economic growth & prosperity Expansion of foreign trade Increase in industrial production

Social Structure of Old Regime First Estate Second Estate Third Estate

Background to French Revolution:

First Estate: Clergy 130,000 people 10% of all land in France owned by church Exempt from taille (major tax) Church paid “voluntary” contribution every 5

years Clergy divided

Higher clergy Aristocratic families Shared interests of nobility

Lower clergy Parish priests Shared interests of poor commoners

Background to French Revolution:

Second Estate: Nobility 350,000 people Owned 25 – 30 % of all land in France Held most leading positions in

government Under Louis XV & Louis XVI nobility held tons of power

Military Law courts Church offices

Heavy industry controlled by nobility Divided

Nobility of the Robe Nobility of the Sword

Background to French Revolution:

Second Estate: (continued) Divided Nobility

Nobility of the Robe Status from “office holding” Pathway for commoners to attain noble status Dominated law courts & administrative offices

Nobility of the Sword Descendants of medieval nobility

Wealth Some poor, not many Married within class & wealth Tax exemption from taille

Goal of Nobility Sought to expand power & privileges at the expense of the

monarchy

Background to French Revolution:

Goals of Nobility & problems with monarchy

Maintain control of military, church, & government

Reaction to Ségur Law 1781 –limited the sale of military officerships to

fourth generation nobles (bourgeoisie). Thus eliminating many would be nobles---exacerbated the division

Defend their own liberty Weaken the power of the monarchy

Background to French Revolution:

Third Estate: Commoners Vast majority of French population A number of different classes varied by:

Occupation Level of education wealth

Bourgeoisie “middle class” 8% = 2.3 million people Owned 20-25% of all land in France

Peasants 75-80% of pop Owned 35-40% of all Land in France Obligations to Nobility—holdovers of feudalism

Skilled artisans, shopkeepers, wage earners

Background to French Revolution:

Characteristic:

First Estate:

Second Estate:

Bourgeoise: Third Estate:

Membership: Clergy Nobility Middle class Skilled artisans, peasants

% of pop.: 1% 2% 8% 80%

# of pop.: 130,000 350,000 2,300,000 21,600,000

Wealth: Church owned

Very wealthy Comparable to nobility

Almost nothing

% of Land Ownership:

10% 30% 25% 35%

Occupations: Parish priests, high

church office,

political advisors

Military, administrative positions, law courts

Merchants, industrialists,

bankers, lawyers,

doctors, writers

Wage laborers, farmers, patronized

by nobility, tradesmen

Payment of taille:

Exempt Exempt Required to pay Required to pay

Political Power:

Lots First Third Almost none

Very competitive B’s tried to buy titles

During 18th century 6,500 new titles bestowed 1774-1789 = 2,500 new titles

Nobles tried to keep class pure Ségur Law Wealth almost equal Political & Social benefits very different B’s = noble wealth + peasant status Shared belief in Enlightenment political thought FR stems largely from these two groups

Nobility vs. Bourgeoisie

Reading Check:

Is it a fair assessment to say that the differences between these two groups caused the French

Revolution?

Why or Why not?

Inability to deal with changing social issues &

realities See Bourgeoisie vs. Nobility

1780’s Bad harvests in 1787 & 1788 Manufacturing depression Rising food prices Food shortages High # of poor

Problems with privilege & political institutions

Problems for Monarchy:

Lack of Reform: French Parlement

Stopped reform efforts Blocked royal edicts Blocked new taxes

Economic collapse ***immediate cause of FR*** Expenditures grew – income did not

Expensive wars Royal excesses No new taxes

Massive debt & interest on debt Interest accounted for ½ of govt. spending

Problems for Monarchy: