The French Revolution: Crash Course European History #21

Crash Course European History: The French Revolution Begins

Context of France in 1789

• France was experiencing a crisis in 1789, marked by wars, poor crop yields, and widespread poverty. The monarchy was virtually bankrupt due to continuous warfare and heavy taxation on the poor and middle class.

• Reformers in various regions sought inspiration from the United States, while Poland's citizens demanded the restoration of their partitioned nation. France had gained a reputation for supporting liberty abroad but remained an absolute monarchy at home.

• Louis XVI ruled over a country filled with beggars as aristocrats grew wealthier; his wife Marie Antoinette struggled to connect with the impoverished populace. Bread prices soared due to bad harvests, leading to increased suffering among families.

Marie Antoinette's Disconnect

• Amidst rising bread prices, Marie Antoinette allegedly suggested that the poor could eat brioche instead of bread—a statement reflecting her detachment from reality and the struggles of common people. This phrase is often misquoted as "let them eat cake."

• The financial crisis prompted reform-minded ministers to propose tax reforms targeting the church and aristocracy; however, these efforts were blocked by appellate judges known as the Parlement. Banks also refused loans to the Crown, exacerbating the situation.

Summoning of Estates-General

• In response to mounting pressure, Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General—an assembly representing clergy (first estate), nobility (second estate), and commoners (third estate)—to address grievances across France. Meetings were held where representatives documented their concerns in cahiers (register books).

• Discontent grew as Marie Antoinette engaged in frivolous activities while ordinary people faced dire circumstances; this disconnect fueled revolutionary sentiments among citizens seeking change. On May 5, 1789, members of the Estates-General convened at Versailles amidst great ceremony but little action occurred initially according to Louis XVI’s account.

Formation of National Assembly

• Members of the Third Estate protested against being outvoted by clergy and nobility; they declared themselves the National Assembly after retreating to a nearby tennis court where they took an oath not to disband until they established a new government based on individual rights rather than feudal hierarchy. This became known as the Tennis Court Oath.

• The National Assembly aimed for reform backed by popular support; on July 14th, Parisians stormed Bastille prison—a symbol of royal tyranny—marking a pivotal moment in revolutionary fervor across France as peasants began seizing lands from aristocrats shortly thereafter.

Revolutionary Decrees and Rights

• Following these events, on August 4th, 1789, terrified aristocrats renounced their feudal privileges amid growing unrest; subsequently, decrees were issued declaring an end to feudal society in France.

• The National Assembly adopted significant documents like the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen which emphasized equality before law and freedom—including religious freedom—transforming societal norms drastically compared to previous conditions where peasants lacked basic rights under Catholicism's dominance as state religion.

Women's March on Versailles

• On October 5th, market women marched from Paris to Versailles demanding accountability from King Louis XVI regarding food shortages; this event highlighted public unrest towards royal indifference.

• Although no harm came directly to royalty during this march, violence erupted within royal circles resulting in brutal acts against some members associated with Queen Marie Antoinette amidst escalating tensions between classes leading many aristocrats into exile or flight from France altogether.

The French Revolution: A Shift in Power

The Royal Family's Attempt to Flee and the Outbreak of War

• In 1791, the royal family attempted to escape France but were caught, coinciding with the outbreak of war between revolutionary France and Austria/Prussia, who aimed to restore monarchy.

Political Divisions Emerge

• As the republic formed, political parties emerged; republicans (left) sought to abolish monarchy while monarchists (right) supported it. This arrangement laid the groundwork for modern political spectrums.

Rise of Women’s Rights

• Amidst revolutionary changes, women began asserting their rights. Olympe de Gouges published the Declaration of the Rights of Woman in 1791, advocating for gender equality and participation in politics.

The Abolition of Monarchy and Execution of Louis XVI

• By late 1792, violence led to the abolition of monarchy and a declaration that all governments were enemies. Louis XVI was executed in January 1793 after a narrow vote.

The Reign of Terror Under Robespierre

• Following Louis XVI's death, Robespierre led the Jacobins into a "reign of virtue," enforcing strict adherence to Rousseau's general will while executing thousands during the Terror.

Cultural Transformation During Revolutionary Times

• The Jacobins transformed culture by creating patriotic festivals, renaming churches as temples of reason, and introducing a new calendar reflecting revolutionary ideals.

Opposition to Revolutionary Violence

• As military successes grew abroad, public fatigue over bloodshed led to counter-revolutionary uprisings and ultimately resulted in Robespierre's execution in 1794.

Establishment of New Government Structures

• By 1795, conservative factions established a government called the Directory which inspired French armies to spread revolution across Europe.

Impact on Other Nations

• While revolutions sparked across Europe including Poland’s constitutional revisions in 1791, other powers divided Poland among themselves. Enlightenment ideas continued spreading globally.

Legacy of the French Revolution

The Impact of the French Revolution on Political Ideologies

Enthusiasm for Freedom and Opposition

• The French Revolution attracted freedom enthusiasts from across Europe, inspiring them both physically and in their imaginations. Poet William Wordsworth expressed this sentiment with the line, “Bliss was it in that dawn to be alive.”

• In contrast, Edmund Burke criticized the revolution's rapid changes and attacks on traditional institutions, arguing that it abandoned accumulated wisdom from past ages. His theories laid the groundwork for conservative political ideology post-revolution.

Violence and Outcomes of the Revolution

• The revolution was marked by extreme violence, often replacing one form of poverty with another and perpetuating injustice. Historical perspectives are influenced by one's position in society.

• Mary Wollstonecraft documented her experiences during the revolution in Paris. Her 1791 book defended "the rights of man," while her 1792 work, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, highlighted women's lack of education and skills compared to aristocrats.

Women's Rights and Legal Equality

• Wollstonecraft argued that women were manipulated due to their lack of education and legal protection. She advocated for educational opportunities and legal equality as essential for improving women's status.

Foundations of Modern Nationhood

• The French Revolution led to a new nation formed by legally equal citizens rather than subjects ruled by a king. This shift emphasized values such as rule of law, free speech, and property ownership over monarchy or religion.

• The concept of individual rights evolved into what would later be recognized as human rights, gaining significance throughout the 20th century.

Transition to Dictatorship