France before the revolution

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1 King Louis XVI he was an absolute ruler (made all the decisions himself) - Lived in Palace at Versailles Queen Marie Antoinette French people did not like her because she was extravagant and from Austria. 3 rd Estate - Peasants poor people, worked on land, paid most taxes - Bourgeoisie middle class rich bankers and France before the revolution 1 ST Estate The Clergy Catholic Bishops and priests paid no taxes merchants 2 nd Estate The Nobles owned great estates of land, were rich, got best jobs and paid no taxes

2 Absolute power of the King Absence of the parliament Ideas from Enlightenment writers power should be in the hands of the people Nobles refused to pay taxes Causes of the French Revolution France bankrupt because it was involved in wars (American war of Independence) Unfair taxation system peasants had to pay taxes to the King, tithe to the church and feudal dues to the nobles

3 Estates General an elected assembly meets at Versailles to discuss unfair taxes. 3 rd Estate is locked out of the meeting. They form the National Assembly and swear to write a constitution (fair rules to run the country) San-culottes (Wore the trousers of workingmen) heard king was going to close the National Assembly. They set up the National Guard and decided to get arms to fight the kings army Oct thousands of poor women from Paris marched to Versailles and made the king and queen return with them to Paris Main events of the French Revolution Storming of the Bastille it was a prison and stored weapons. National Guard attacked it to get arms on 14 th July They captured it and this started the revolution. Aug National Assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man. This declared Liberty (freedom), Equality and fraternity (brotherhood) and wrote a new constitution.

4 King Louis XVI dislikes the changes and tries to escape with his family to Austria. They are recognised and captured. French people see him as a traitor. National Assembly declares war on Austria. King is imprisoned. French army wins. National Assembly declares France a republic and puts the King on trial for treason. France becomes a Republic Following a trial Louis is executed by guillotine (Jan 1793). Nine months later so is Marie Antoinette Revolution in Danger - Monarchs of other countries are horrified (Britain, Spain, Holland) and join Austria in their war against France.

5 The Assembly appointed a Committee of Public Safety to deal with treats to the revolution. There were 12 men and its leader was Maximilian Robespierre. Robespierre refused to end the terror even after the danger had passed. He was arrested and executed by guillotine in He was 36. Robespierre & the Reign of Terror Robespierre 1. He was a lawyer. 2. He was an elected representative of the Estates General when they meet in He founded the Jacobin club that was influential during the revolution. 4. H e wanted France to become a Republic and called for the execution of the king. The Committee started the Reign of Terror & people were executed who were suspected enemies of the revolution (including Marie Antoinette). Robespierre was greatly admired by the poor people of Paris (San Culottes) because 1. He raised a large army and saved France from invasion. 2. He kept down the price of bread when people were hungry. He was called the incorruptible because no amount of money or pressure made him change his views.

6 End of Revolution France continued to wage war. By 1799 it was the strongest country in Europe. Napolean Bonaparte an Army General made himself Emperor of France and his power was similar to the old Kings. The revolution was over. Consequences 1. The Ideals of liberty, equality & fraternity inspired future generations and helped lead to the republic in 1870 End of Revolution & consequences of the Revolution 2. people all over Europe began to question monarchys and demand that their rulers share power with them 3. It had a major impact on Ireland. It inspired Wolfe Tone and the United Irishmen to rebel in Ireland against the British in 1798.