Important people and events Flashcards
Government of France
The king made all appointments, decisions, and laws. Laws were registered through local law courts called Parlements. If the Parlements didn’t like a law, they could insist on changes, but a strong king could force them to accept his laws. Louis XVI used decrees to rule, and his weak leadership made him reliant on the support of others.
The Church:
The Catholic Church in France was powerful and unaccountable to the state. It owned a significant portion of land, provided education and healthcare, and had its own courts for legal matters. The Church registered vital events like births, deaths, and marriages. Its wealth and opulent buildings showcased its influence.
Social Conditions
French society was divided into three classes or estates. The First Estate consisted of the clergy, who were divided into the upper and lower clergy. The upper clergy was wealthy and often disconnected from their religious duties, while the lower clergy sympathized with the peasants. The Second Estate was the nobility, which included aristocrats living at Versailles, seigneurs who owned country estates, and “Nobles of the Gown” who bought government positions. The Third Estate comprised the bourgeoisie (middle class), peasants, and serfs. The bourgeoisie were professionals and merchants, while peasants faced economic hardships, feudal dues, and heavy taxation. Serfs were the lowest class and were essentially slaves.
Intellectual Contribution
Intellectual contribution refers to the ideas and philosophies put forward by thinkers and philosophers before the French Revolution.
- Notable philosophers include Voltaire, Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Condorcet.
- Their ideas criticized the existing order and helped create a “revolutionary mentality.”
- Voltaire emphasized the importance of independent thinking and freedom of speech.
- Montesquieu advocated for the separation of powers and criticized the concentration of power in the hands of the king.
- Rousseau proposed the concept of the social contract, where the government’s legitimacy derives from the general will of the people.
- Condorcet promoted equality, free trade, and equal education opportunities.
Economic Conditions
- Financial problems in France began in the 18th century due to wars and extravagant spending.
- Wars such as the American War of Independence and the Seven Years War led to significant debts.
- The construction of the Palace of Versailles by Louis XIV added to the financial burden.
- Taxation was heavily placed on the Third Estate, while the Church and nobility enjoyed exemptions.
- Corruption and inefficiency in tax collection further exacerbated the financial crisis.
- Customs barriers and high customs duties hindered internal free trade.
- Revocation of the Edict of Nantes led to the decline of the Huguenots, who contributed to the economy.
- French involvement in the American War of Independence inspired by the ideas of the French philosophers
III. Immediate Causes of the Revolution
- The bankruptcy of France and the need for financial reforms led to the calling of the Estates General.
- Turgot, Necker, Calonne, and Bishop de Brienne were successive finance ministers who attempted reforms.
- The Parlement of Paris rejected proposed reforms and demanded the summoning of the Estates General.
- The Aristocratic Revolution occurred when the nobles supported the demand to call the Estates General.
- The Third Estate demanded double representation and equal voting rights.
- The Third Estate declared themselves the National Assembly and vowed to create a constitution for France.
- The storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, marked a significant turning point in the revolution.
- The fall of the Bastille symbolized the power of the monarchy being challenged by the ordinary people.
- Violence spread across France as peasants armed themselves and attacked the homes of noble landowners.
IV. Immediate Consequences of the Storming of the Bastille
- The storming of the Bastille led to widespread violence and uprisings throughout France.
- Peasants revolted against noble landowners, challenging the existing feudal system.
- The fall of the Bastille inspired ordinary people to become actively involved in the revolution.
- The event symbolized the power of the monarchy being challenged and marked the beginning of significant changes in France.
. Declaration of the Rights of Man:
- The National Assembly issued the Declaration of the Rights of Man in August 1789.
- Acknowledged basic human rights and laid the foundation for the constitution.
- Established the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity.
- France became a constitutional monarchy, limiting the powers of the king.
Reforms and Changes:
Voting rights extended to all men over 25 who paid taxes.
- Church property was nationalized, ending clergy privileges.
- Taxes and tithes abolished.
- Freedom of the press, religion, and speech introduced.
- Judges elected by the people and trial by jury established.
- Torture and cruel punishments outlawed.
- Peasants gained protection from nobles in their courts
Social and Political Impact:
- The slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity” became the rallying cry of the revolution.
- France experienced a shift toward a republic as people called for the establishment of a republic.
- King Louis XVI and his family were forced to return to Paris after an attempted escape.
. Threats to the Revolution:
- King Louis XVI was deposed, and a republic - France faced invasion from Austria, Prussia, England, Spain, and Sardinia.
- European monarchies sought to restore the French monarchy and suppress revolutionary movements.
was declared.
Radicalism and Violence:
- The National Convention, dominated by extremist groups, abolished the monarchy.
- The Committee of Public Safety, led by Maximilien Robespierre, imposed strict laws and used terror to protect the republic.
- The Reign of Terror saw mass imprisonments and executions, including that of King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette.
Rise of Napoleon:
Napoleon returned to France and orchestrated a coup d’état in November 1799.
- Established “The Consulate,” with Napoleon as the First Consul.
- Manipulated the system to consolidate power and became Emperor in 1804.
Napoleon’s Reforms and Legacy:
- Centralized the government and introduced reforms in banking and education.
- Supported science and the arts.
- Established the Napoleonic Code, a streamlined legal system.
- France became a secular state, but Catholicism remained the main religion.
- Despite becoming a dictator, Napoleon’s legacy included stability and significant legal and administrative reforms.
- Social and Political Transformations
- Middle class gained economic and political power.
- Feudalism ended, and peasants acquired land.
- Women saw limited improvements, such as easier divorce.
- Nobles lost power, land, and feudal privileges.
- Roman Catholic Church lost land and power, and France became a secular state.
- Slavery abolished in France and French colonies (later reinstated by Napoleon).
