Slide 1Slide 2Slide 3Slide 4Slide 5Slide 6Slide 7Slide 8Slide 9Slide 10THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONPIVOTAL EVENT OF 18TH CENTURY Transformed social values & political systems Replaced old regime with modern society Slogan = “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” Bloody conflicts presented dilemma of means vs. endsTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONORIGINS Louis XVI not particularly capable Marie Antoinette perceived as frivolous & callous Incompetence of French monarchyLouis XVI (r. 1774-1792)Marie AntoinetteTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONORIGINS Enlightenment & public opinion Philosophes highly critical of existing system• But not revolutionary Underground literature more subversive• Portrayed aristocracy as decadent & monarchy as ridiculous despotismTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONORIGINS Fiscal crisis of French government Huge war debt Tax exemptions of elite = insufficient revenues Incompetence of systemTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONORIGINS Desire for institutional change Estates General called in 1789 THIRD ESTATE = driving force of Revolution• King insisted on vote “by order”• Delegates of 3rd Estate wanted vote “by head”THE FRENCH REVOLUTIONORIGINS The Estates General: 1789 3rd Estate refused to meet separately Proclaimed itself the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY Took “TENNIS COURT OATH” King recognized Assembly, ordered other Estates to join itTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONTHE CONVERGENCE OF REVOLUTIONS Masses mobilizing over issues of basic subsistence Faced severe economic difficulties Suspicious of aristocrats STORMING OF THE BASTILLE: July 14, 1789 Finance Minister Jacques Necker dismissedTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONTHE CONVERGENCE OF REVOLUTIONS Spread of revolt Cities set up revolutionary governments & militias Revolt in countryside: THE GREAT FEAR Peasants attack noble landlords & manorsTHE FRENCH REVOLUTIONTHE CONVERGENCE OF REVOLUTIONS Night of August 4: Assembly deputies renounce privileges, appease peasants Issue “Declaration of the Rights of Man & Citizen” Men equal in rights Sovereignty of nation against king or any other Authority of legitimate law supreme Liberty defined as ability to do whatever does not harm