MIND

The French Revolution (1789-1799)

French Society Before French Revolution
Monarchy (Louis XVI at the Time of Revolution)
First Estate-Clergy (vast and wealthy
class with exemption from paying taxes)
Second Estate-Nobility (enjoyed feudal
priviliges and exempted from paying taxes)
Three Estates
Third Estate-Businessmen, Merchants,
Lawyers, Peasants, Artisans, Servants etc.
(paid tax (tithes) to the church and direct
tax, taille, and indirect tax to the state)
Path towards a Republican France
Led to emergence of political club like the
Louis XVI entered into secret negotiations
Jacobins whose members belonged to
with king of Prussia to get power
lower middle class
In counter, National Assembly declared Jacobins planned insurrection of
war against Prussia and Austria in 1792 Parisians in 1792 who were angered by
high prices of food
Large section of population participated as they
saw it a war against kings and aristocracies The Palace of the Tuileries was stormed
and the royal family was imprisoned
A new assembly called the
convention was elected with the
declaration of France a republic
(In Republic government people
elect the government including
the head of the government)
King Louis XVI and Queen Marie
Antoinette were sentenced to death

The Reign of Terror in France (1793-1794)

Causes of French Revolution
Rule of Jacobians

Maximilian Robespierre, the Jacobian leader, Robespierre was convicted, arrested and guillotined
Political Social Economic Ideas of followed policy of severe control and punishment in 1794 and the Jacobian government fell fell
Philosophers
Over exploitation of New constitution established denying concentration
Nobles and members against him were arrested and guillotined
Absolute Inefficient middle class due to Debt due to wars Unfair Taxes of power in a one-man executive
Monarchy Government feudal system

Louis XVI had Ministers were
unlimited power and corrupted and were
lead a luxurious life selected on basis of
birth and favouritism.
Inequality in taxes as the The government issued laws placing a maximum ceiling on wages and prices Led to the clash of the Directors with the Legislative Councils
burden was on the third estate
France engaged in Participation in
long years of wars American war of Over exploitation by the policies led to the revolt of people Political instability paved the way for the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte
which drained the Independence Ideas given by philosophers like John
financial resources added more debt Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau
influenced common people Women in France Slavery in France

Events of the French Revolution Women were denied education and job Slavery began in 17th century in the colonies of the Caribbean
training except noble class women for the supply of tobacco, indigo, sugar and coffee

Immediate Cause Louis XVI proposed to Assembly led by Mirabeau and Abbe Sieyes Feudal system and taxes including The condition of working women was Europeans denied to work at such distant places thus resulted in shortage of
increase taxes due to huge Royal Debt got busy in drafting the Constitution. tithes got abolished miserable due to low wages

Led to the emergence of a Triangular slave trade between Europe,

Led to the emergence of women’s political Africa and the Americas
He called Assembly of Estate Generals in On the other hand, economic condition Separation of power between clubs and newspapers to demand equal rights
1789 to pass the proposal. worsened due to bad harvest which legislature, executive and
forced people to revolt. judiciary established
Resulted in exploitation of slave to meet the growing demand in European markets
Dispute in assembly over voting procedure. Demands included right to vote
(1st and 2nd estate demanded 1 vote/estate and and to hold political office
Agitated crowd stormed and Constitution began with a Forced the National Assembly to pass the law to abolish slavery in 1794
3rd estate wanted 1 vote for each delegate)
destroyed the Bastille. declaration of the rights of
man and citizen Revolutionary government introduced laws
Louis XVI rejected the proposal and 3rd estate (Right to life, freedom of Slavery reemerged after 10 years during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte
Louis XVI finally recognised National speech, freedom of opinion
withdrew from the assembly in protest.
Assembly and established constitutional and equality before law) Access to No forced Marriage as Divorce
monarchy. Revolt by the slaves for the rights paved the way for abolition of slavery in 1848
education marriage a contract made legal
They assembled in a tennis court is Versailles
and established National Assembly.
Aftermath of French Revolution
Various Changes
Freedom of speech and expression Introduced laws including protection of private property
Changes in lives of women, men
declared as the natural right and uniform system of weights and measures
and children due to certain laws

Led to the emergence of Napoleon Later became dictator of France which led to his
Abolition of censorship paved fall and he was defeated in waterloo in 1815
Bonaparte as the French ruler
way for freedom of press