French revolution

EEvvEEnnttss aanndd
pprrooccEEssssEEss
thE FrEnch
rEvolution

EEvvEEnnttss aanndd pprrooccEEssssEEss
 The instances---occur only once---lifetime---person---impact forever.
 They are termed---EEVVEENNTTSS
 A series actions---occurring---before and after the events---termed---
PPRROOCCEESSSSEESS
 Events and processes---interrelated.
 Eg. Marriage---fix date, time, month, year---Event
 Preparations for the marriage and changes in the life after marriage---
Processes

tthhEE FFrrEEnncchh
rrEEvvoolluuttiioonn

tthhEE FFrrEEnncchh rrEEvvoolluuttiioonn
QQ.. WWhhaatt iiss
rreevvoolluuttiioonn??
 A revolution is a fundamental
change in power or
organizational structures that
takes place in a relatively short
period of time.
 A forcible overthrow of a
government or social order, in
favor of a new system.
 Any fundamental change or
reversal of condition.
QQ.. WWhhaatt aarree tthhee
ccaauusseess ffoorr tthhee
FFrreenncchh rreevvoolluuttiioonn??
 Political cause---poor leadership
 Economic cause---financial crisis
 Social causes---inequalities in
society
 Immediate cause---record cold
and widespread hunger
 Intellectual cause---enlightenment
ideas

 On the morning---14th July 1789—city of Paris—alarm
 The king---commanded---move into the city
 Rumours---command---army—open fire---citizens
 7000---men and women---gathered---in front of---town hall---to form
peoples’ militia.
 They broke into---govt. buildings---in search---arms
Questns: (1mk each)
1) When was the city of Paris in the state of alarm?
2) What was the reason for alarming? or what rumours were
spreading in the city?
3) How many people had gathered? where? why?
4) What did the people do?
Or
1)Explain what happened on the morning of 14th July 1789?
(4mks)

tthhEE FFoorrttrrEEssss pprriissoonn------
BBaassttiillllEE
 Several people---marched---
eastern part of the city---
stormed---the fortress prison---
Bastille
 People hoped---to find---
hoarded ammunition
 The commander---killed
 There were only 7 inmates---
freed
 Bastille---demolished---stone
fragments—sold in markets---
souvenir---destruction
 Questn:1 mk each)
1) Which was the fortress
prison that was stormed?
2) How many inmates were
there?

 Rioting in Paris and countryside---increased
 Protests---against---high price of bread
 These protests---beginning of a chain of events---led to---execution
on the king in France
 Such outcomes----not anticipated
Questions?(1mk each)
1) Why did the people protest?
2) What was the result of such protests?
3) Were these protests the end of the revolution?
Or
1) What happened after the storming of the fortress prison
, the Bastille ? (2mks)

What led to the French revolution????
or
What were the reasons that led to such events in
France????????
Why was the Bastille prison stormed????
Why did the price of bread hike????
Why did the people react so violently???
Let’s understand it one by one.

FFrrEEnncchh ssoocciiEEttyy dduurriinngg tthhEE
llaattEE EEiigghhttEEEEnntthh ccEEnnttuurryy
 In 1774---Louis XVI---Bourbon family---
ascended---throne---France
 He was 20yrs---married---Austrian
princess---Marie Antoinette
 She ---fond---lavish lifestyle
 She later became known as Madame
Deficit
 The royal family was subsequently
imprisoned at the Temple Prison.
 Louis XVI was deposed and the
monarchy abolished
 Marie Antoinette, after her husband's
execution was convicted by the
Revolutionary Tribunal of treason, and
executed by guillotine.

tthhEE ppaallaaccEE ooFF
vvEErrssaaiillllEEss
 Versailles was a country village
when the palace was built.
 Today it is a wealthy suburb of
Paris, some 20 kilometers
southwest of the French capital.
 The court of Versailles was the
center of political power in
France from 1682
 The royal family was forced to
return to the capital after the
beginning of the French
Revolution.
 Versailles is therefore famous
not only as a building, but as a
symbol of the system of absolute
monarchy.

FFrrEEnncchh ssoocciiEEttyy dduurriinngg tthhEE
llaattEE EEiigghhttEEEEnntthh ccEEnnttuurryy
 France---supported 13 American colonies---7 yr war with Britain---
independence.
 This led---billion livers---debt
 Lavish life style of the royal family.
 Maintenance---court---palace of Versailles
 The royal treasury---empty
 Lenders---began charging---10%interest on loans
 So the French govt---spend increasing %---budget---interest payments
 To meet expenses---cost of maintaining army, court, running govt
offices or universities---govt increased taxes.
 Livers-unit of currency used before 1794.
 Q.1 For what did the govt spend its maximum budget? (1 mk)
 Why did the govt increase taxes?(1 mk)

ssoocciiaall ccaauussEE
 French society in the eighteenth century was divided into three
estates.
 The society of the estates was part of the feudal system.
 Thus the society and institutions of France before 1789 is usually
termed as Old or Ancient Regime.
 King at the top and the estates under him.
 Only members of the third estate paid taxes.
 This also became one of the major cause that led to French Revolution

AA SSoocciieettyy ooff eeSSttAAtteeSS
1st estate
2nd estate
3rd estate
Clergy
Nobility
Big businessmen,
merchants, court officials,
lawyers, etc.
Peasants and artisans
Small peasants, landless
labor, servants

the three eStAteS
Q. In what ways did the three estates vary widely?
Ans-In terms of work and taxes that they contributed.

tthhrreeee eeSSttAAtteeSS
 The nobles enjoyed feudal privileges---extracting feudal dues---
peasants
 Peasants---render services to lord---work in his house & field---also
serve army---build roads, etc.
 The Church---extracted taxes---peasants called tithes.---10% of total
agricultural produce
 All members of third estate---direct taxes to the state---called taille &
indirect taxes---salt or tobacco.
 Thus third estate alone---bear---burden of financing---state---taxes
Questions(1mk each)
1. What is tithe?
2. What is taille?
3. Which estate borne the burden of financing activities of
the state?

tthhee SSttrruuggggllee ttoo
SSuurrvviivvee
 The population---rose---23million in 1715---28 million in 1789
 This led---increase in demand---grains
 Production of grains---slow---could not keep pace with the demand
 In the 1780s, a strong El Nino had formed over the Americas causing
several bitterly cold winters in Europe.
 Reports in the winter of 1788 were of hail so large that it could kill a
man unfortunate enough to be caught in the storm.
 The bitter cold spell damaged the wheat harvest, which led to a
shortage of wheat.
 As a result---price of bread—staple diet of the majority---rose rapidly
 This jump in prices hurt the poorest of the citizens.

tthhee SSttrruuggggllee ttoo
SSuurrvviivvee
 Workers(laborers)---workshops---fixed wages---did not---increase
 Thus gap between---poor & rich---widened
 Things worsened---drought or hail---as harvest reduced
 This led---subsistence crisis---an extreme situation where
basic means of livelihood are endangered.
 This occurred frequently in Old Regime
Questions:
1. What was the staple food of the majority of the people
in France?
2. What is subsistence crisis?
3. What was the cause of increase in the price of the
bread?

SSuubbSSiiSStteennccee ccrriiSSiiSS
Bad
harvest
Scarcity
of grains
Rising
food
prices
The poorest can
no longer buy
bread
Food
riots
Weaker
bodies
Diseases
and
epidemics
Increased
number of
deaths

AA ggrroowwiinngg mmiiddddllee ccllAASSSS
eennvviiSSAAggeeSS AAnn eenndd ttoo pprriivviilleeggeeSS
 In the past---peasants & workers---revolted---increasing taxes and food
scarcity
 But they lacked---means & program---bring change---social & economic
 People---third estate---prosperous & access---education & new ideas---
take up---responsibility---bring the change
 The eighteenth century---witnessed---emergence---social groups---
termed middle class
 This class---earned wealth---expanding overseas trade & manufacture
of goods---woollen & silk textiles---sold to richer members of the society
or exported

 The professionals---lawyers or administrative officers---third estate---
believed---no group in society---any privileges by birth
 A person’s social position---depend---merit
 These ideas envisaging a society based---freedom, equal laws &
opportunities for all---put forward---philosophers---John Locke & Jean
Jacques Rousseau.
 Locke—his book---Two Treaties of Govt.---refuted the doctrine---
divine & absolute right of the monarch.
 Rousseau---proposed---form of govt---based---social contract between---
people & their representatives
 Montesquieu---The Spirit of Law—-political theory--- proposed---
division of power----within the govt---btw—legislative, executive &
judiciary

John locke
JeAn JAcqueS rouSSeAu
monteSquieu

 America---after the independence---thirteen colonies---put into force---
model of govt
 American constitution & its individual rights guarantee---inspired
political thinkers in France
 The ideas---discussed---salons & coffee houses & spread thru books &
newspapers
 These ideas---read aloud---illiterates to understand
 The news---Louis XVI---planning---impose further taxes---meet expenses
--- state---generated anger & protest---against---system of privileges
Envisages– a desirable future event

tthhee oouuttbbrreeAAkk ooff tthhee
rreevvoolluuttiioonn
 In France of Old Regime---monarch alone did not---power---impose
taxes
 He---call---meeting---Estates General---pass his proposals---new taxes
 Estates General---a political body to which the three estates sent their
representatives
 But monarch---alone---decide when to call a meeting
 The last meeting---1614
 On 5th May 1789---Louis XVI---called---assembly---Estates General---
pass---proposal of new taxes
 The resplendent(attractive) hall in Versailles---prepared---host the
delegates
 The 1st & 2nd estates---300 representatives each---seated—facing each
other
 600 members---third estate---prosperous & educated members---stood
back

TThhee oouuTTbbrreeaakk ooff TThhee
rreevvoolluuTTiioonn
 Peasants, women & artisans---denied entry
 Their grievances & demands---listed---40,000 letters
 Voting in the assembly--- each estate---one vote
 But now---third estate---demanded---every member---one vote
 This democratic principle---put forward---philosophers---Rousseau---in
his book---The Social Contract
 When the king---rejected---members of 3rd estate---walked out---in
protest
Questions:
1. When was the meeting of Estates General called by Louis
XVI?
2. How many members were represented from each estate?
3. What were the demand of the third estate?

 The Tennis Court Oath was a
pivotal event during the first days
of the French Revolution.
 This day---the 3rd estate
representatives declared
themselves---National Assembly---
swore---not to disperse---till they
drafted---Constitution for France
 Mirabeau---born---noble family---
convinced---need to do away with a
society of feudal privileges---
delivered powerful speeches
 Abbe Sieyes---priest---wrote---
influential pamphlet---what is the
3rd estate?
 These two people led the members
of 3rd estate on 20th June 1789

 While the National Assembly---drafting Constitution---rest of France---
seethed with turmoil
 A severe winter---bad harvest---raising bread price---bakers exploited
the situation---hoarding supplies
 After hrs---waiting in queues---crowds of angry women---stormed---
shops
 The king---ordered---troops---move---Paris
 The agitated crowd---stormed & destroyed---Bastille---on 14th July
 The rumors spread---lords of manor---hired---bands of brigands---
destroy---ripe crops
 Out of frenzy fear---peasants---attacked Chateaux
 They looted hoarded grain & burnt down documents---manorial dues
 Many nobles---fled or migrated---neighboring countries
Turmoil– uncertainty; frenzy– mad
Seethed—intense anger; Brigands- robbers

 As a result of the revolt---Louis XVI---accorded recognition---National
Assembly---accepted---principle---his powers---checked---constitution
 On 4th August---Assembly passed---decree abolishing---feudal system of
obligations & taxes like tithes
 Members of clergy---forced---give up---privileges
 Lands owned---Churches---confiscated
 The govt acquired assets worth at least 2 billion livers
Questions:
1. What is manor?---an estate consisting of the lord’s lands
and his mansion.
2. What is Chateaux?---castles or stately residences belonging
to a king or a nobleman
3. What was decided on the night of 4th August 1789?

ffrraannccee bbeeccoommeess aa
ccoonnssTTiiTTuuTTiioonnaall mmoonnaarrcchhyy
 National Assembly completed---draft of constitution---1791
 Its main object---
a. limit monarch’s power &
b. instead of concentrating all the powers in one person’s hand assign
them to diff institutions-legislature, executive and judiciary
 Thus France became a Constitutional Monarchy
 The Constitution---vested law making power---National Assembly
 Citizens voted---electors---who chose---Assembly
 Voting rights---not---all citizens
 Only men above 25 yrs---paid taxes equal---3 days of a laborer’s wage---
given status---active citizens---eligible of voting
 Remaining men & all women---passive citizens
 To qualify---elector & member of Assembly---a man---belong---highest
bracket---tax payers

 The Constitution began---Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen
 Rights such---right to life, freedom of speech & opinion, equality before
law---established---natural & inalienable’ rights
 These rights belonged---each human being by birth---not taken away
 It---duty---state---protect---citizen’s natural rights
Questions:
1. What is meant by natural & inalienable rights?
2. Who were allowed to vote or become a member of the
assembly?
3. When was the constitution drafted? What was its main
objective?

Original manuscript of the
Constitution written in Polish
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the
Citizen, or of August 1789 is a fundamental
document of the French Revolution and in the
history of human rights.

ffrraannccee aabboolliisshheess mmoonnaarrcchhyy
aanndd bbeeccoommeess aa rreeppuubblliicc
 The situation in France continued to be tense
 In spite of signing the Constitution Louis XVI entered into secret
negotiations with the king of Prussia
 Other neighboring countries also were worried with the developments
& were ready to support king Louis XVI
 But before they could plan anything, the National Assembly voted in
April 1792 to declare war against Prussia & Austria
 People sang patriotic songs like Marseillaise composed by Roget de
L’lsle.
 The Marseillaise is now the national anthem of France.
 This led to wars---brought losses & economic difficulties---people
 Men---busy---war---women---task---livelihood---convincing people---carry
revolution further

 Constitution---1791---political rights---richer sections---society
 Thus political clubs---such as Jacobins---named after convent of St.
Jacob of Paris emerged---discuss govt. policies
 Women too---active participant
 Jacobin club---included---small shopkeepers, servants, daily-wage
earners & artisans---shoemakers, pastry cooks, watch-makers, printers
Questions: (1 mk each)
1) Against whom was the war declared? Who declared it?
2) What happened due to wars?
3) Who took up the task of earning livelihood?
4) Why were the political clubs formed?
5) Who were the members of Jacobin club?

 Their leader- Maximilian
Robespierre
 They decided---wear---long
stripped trousers---dock
workers---different from---
nobles---wore---knee breeches
 Thus were called---sans-culottes---
means---those without
knee breeches
 They also wore red cap
symbolizing liberty Q. Who was the leader?
Q. Who were sans-culottes?

 In the summer 1792---Jacobin---
planned---insurrection
 This was against---short supplies &
high prices of food.
 On the morning of 10th Aug---
stormed---palace of Tuileries,
massacred king’s guards--- held
king--- hostage.
 Assembly voted--- imprisoning royal
family
 Elections--- now allowed--- men
above 21---to vote.
 Newly elected assembly--- called---
Convention.
Insurrection--a violent uprising
against an authority or
government.
Questions:
1)What happened on 10th August
1792?

ffrraannccee aabboolliisshheess mmoonnaarrcchhyy aanndd
bbeeccoommeess aa rreeppuubblliicc
 This governing body declared the abolition of the monarchy and
established France as a republic.
 21September 1792---- Monarchy abolished--- France--- declared
Republic--- a form of Govt--- people elect--- Govt including its head---- no
hereditary Monarchy.
 Louis XVI--- executed publicly--- 21st Jan 1793 at Place de la Concorde.
 Queen Marie Antoinette--- same fate shortly.
1) When was Monarchy abolished in France?
2) When was Louis XVI executed?
3) What happened to Marie Antoinette?

TThhee rreeiiggnn ooff TTeerrrroorr
 Period from 1793- 94--- Reign
of Terror
 Robespierre--- Policy of severe
control and punishment.
 Enemies of Republic--- Ex-nobles,
clergy, members of
other political parties, his own
party members who
disagreed--- imprisoned and
tried--- Revolutionary Tribunal.
 Guilty were--- guillotined---
behead with a device
consisting---two poles & a
blade---named---Dr.Guillotine---
invented it
Questions:
1) Which period was termed as
Reign of Terror?(1 mk)
2) How did Robespierre govt
punish its enemies?(1 mk)

TThhee rreeiiggnn ooff TTeerrrroorr
 Robespierre govt---issued laws---placing max---ceiling---wages & prices
 Meat & bread---rationed
 Peasants forced---transport their grains---cities & sell---prices fixed---
govt
 Use of expensive white flour forbidden---whole wheat to be used
 Equality practiced---speech & address
 All men & women---citoyen & citoyenne---citizen instead of Monsieur &
Madame
 Churches---shut down & turned---barracks or offices
 Robespierre---pursued---policies---relentlessly
 His supporters---demanded---moderation
 Finally he---convicted by court---27th July 1794---arrested---next day sent
to guillotine
Barracks—houses or convents
Relentlessly—strictly
Q.1) Explain the laws issued by Robespierre govt?(2 mks)

AA ddiirreeccTToorryy rruulleess ffrrAAnnccee
 Fall of Jacobin govt---allowed---wealthier middle class seize power
 A new Constitution---denied---voting rights---non-propertied sections
 It provided---two elected legislative councils---appointed---Directory---an
executive made--- five members
 This meant---safeguarding against concentration of power in a one-man
executive as under Jacobins
 However, Directors clashed with legislatives councils
 The political instability---paved way---rise---military Dictator---Napoleon
Bonaparte
 Through---changes---form of govt---ideals of freedom, equality before
law, fraternity remained inspiring ideals---motivated political
movements in France & rest of Europe---during---following century
Questions:
1) What were the inspiring ideals that motivated political
movements in France & rest of Europe? (1 mk)
2) How was the new Constitution?

ddiidd wwoommeenn hhAAvvee AA rreevvoolluuTTiioonn??
 From beginning--- women--- active participants--- events--- brought
changes---- French society.
 Most women--- third estate--- worked--- seamstress or laundresses,
domestic servant, sold flowers, fruits or vegetables--- for a living.
 Most women--- no access--- education or job training.
 Only daughters--- nobles or rich third estate--- studied at convent.
 Working women---complete daily household chores---cook, fetch water,
queue up for bread and look after the children.
 Their wages --- lower---men.
 So to discuss & voice their interest--- started---political clubs & news
papers.
Questions:
1) Discuss the life of women of the third estate? (2 mks)
2) Why did women start political clubs & newspapers? (1 mk)

 Out of the 60 clubs the society of Revolutionary and Republic women---
most famous.
 Main demands---enjoy equal political rights, be elected to the Assembly
& hold political office.
 In the early years ---the Govt--- introduced laws---improve women's’
lives
 Schooling---compulsory---girls
 Marriage made---contract---entered---freely and registered under civil
Law.
 Divorce---legal---applied---men & women.
Questions:
1) Which was the most famous women political club? (1 mk)
2) What laws were introduced by the govt in the early years?
(1 mk)
3) How was the life of women after the introduction of new
law?(1 mk)

 The women---trained for jobs,
 Many prominent women---Olympe
become artists or run small
de Gouges---arrested & executed
business.
 Their struggle for equal
political rights continued.
 During the Reign of Terror---
closure of women political
clubs & activities---ordered
 But the movements---contd---
next 200 yrs---i.e. late 19th &
20th centuries
 The eg of political activities---
French women---kept alive---as
inspiring memory
 Finally in 1946---women---voting
rights
 Questions:
 When did women finally got
their voting rights?(1 mk)

TThhee AAbboolliiTTiioonn ooff ssllAAvveerryy
 Most revolutionary social reforms---Jacobin govt---abolition of slavery
 The colonies---Caribbean---Martinique, Guadeloupe & San Domingo---
suppliers---tobacco, coffee, sugar & indigo
 But Europeans---reluctant to work in far of places---leading to
shortage of labor
 Thus triangular slave trade---Europe , Africa & Americas fixed this
problem---began in 17th century
 French traders---sailed from ports of Bordeaux or Nantes---African
coast---buy slaves---local chieftains
 Branded & shackled slaves packed tightly in ships---3 months voyage
---across Atlantic to Caribbean---sold to plantation owners
Questions: (1 mk each)
1) What did the colonies in the Caribbean supply?
2) Between whom did the slave trade begin?
3) How, why and from where were the slaves bought?

TThhee AAbboolliiTTiioonn ooff ssllAAvveerryy
 The exploitation of slaves increased the demand for products in
markets
 Thus these ports become economically prosperous
 Throughout 18th century little criticism---slavery in France
 National Assembly---long debates---regarding rights of man---all French
---including colonies
 no law---passed---fearing opposition--businessmen
 In 1794---the Convention---legislated---free all slaves
 However 10 yrs later---Napoleon reintroduced slavery
 Finally slavery--- abolished in French colonies in 1848
Questions:(1 mk each)
1) What led to the prosperity of the ports?
2) When did the Convention legislate to free all the slaves?
3) Who reintroduced slavery?
4) When was slavery finally abolished in French colonies?

The rreevvoolluuTTiioonn AAnndd eevveerryyddAAyy
lliiffee
 The yrs following 1789 saw many changes in France
 The revolutionary govt---passed laws---translate ideals of liberty &
equality
 After storming of Bastille---one imp law came into effect---abolition of
censorship
 In Old Regime---publications were approved by the censors of the king
 Now the Declaration of the rights of Man & Citizen proclaimed freedom
to speech & expression as natural right
 All reading materials---books, newspapers & pamphlets---described &
discussed events & changes---France
 Freedom of press also meant that opposing views could be expressed
 Plays, songs & festive processions---spread the ideas of liberty &
justice that political philosophers wrote at length in texts---read by
handful of educated men

ccoonncclluussiioonn
 In 1804---Napoleon Bonaparte crowned---Emperor of France
 He conquered neighboring countries---placed his family members there
 He saw himself as modernizer of Europe
 He introduced laws---protection of private property, uniform system of
weights & measures
 Initially Napoleon---seen as liberator but soon found him to be invading
force
 He was defeated at Waterloo in 1815
 Many of his revolutionary ideas of liberty & modern laws had ever
lasting impact on people
 These ideas were most important legacy of French Revolution---spread
to rest of Europe---19th century---abolishing feudal system
 Colonized people reworked from bondage to sovereign nation state
 Indians---Tipu Sultan and Raja Ram Mohan Roy responded to the ideas
of French Revolution.

French revolution

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