LA REVOLUCIÓN FRANCESA I (1789-1794) 🇫🇷⚔️ De la toma de la Bastilla a la muerte de Luis XVI

The Impact of the French Revolution

This section introduces the significance of the French Revolution as a transition from the modern era to the contemporary era. It highlights the importance of understanding this historical period.

Causes and Context of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution lasted approximately 10 years, from 1789 to 1799, and was influenced by Enlightenment ideas.

• King Louis XVI's ineffective rule and the desire for change in France were key factors that led to the revolution.

• The bourgeoisie, a wealthy middle class with economic power but no political influence, played a significant role in demanding economic freedom and social equality.

• The bourgeoisie sought a more egalitarian society and desired political power to make decisions for the state.

• Immediate causes included a severe economic crisis, poor harvests, discontent among lower classes, and increased taxes imposed by the monarchy.

Events Leading to the French Revolution

• The monarchy's attempt to tax both lower and upper classes led to financial and social crises.

• The convocation of Estates-General in 1789 aimed to resolve these issues but resulted in disagreements over voting methods between nobility, clergy, and commoners.

• Unable to reach an agreement on voting procedures, representatives from commoners formed their own assembly called the National Assembly. They declared themselves as true representatives of the people and began drafting a new constitution.

• The French Revolution was a significant historical period that marked the transition from the modern era to the contemporary era.

• The bourgeoisie played a crucial role in demanding economic freedom and social equality.

• Immediate causes of the revolution included economic crisis, poor harvests, discontent among lower classes, and increased taxes imposed by the monarchy.

• Disagreements over voting methods led to the formation of the National Assembly.

Exploring the Historical Significance of Versailles

The narrator reflects on the importance of being in Versailles, where a significant historical process began. They mention visiting a historic building near the Palace of Versailles called the "Salle du Jeu de Paume," which is where the French Revolution started.

The Start of the French Revolution

• The narrator explains that on June 20, 1789, representatives from the Third Estate gathered in the Salle du Jeu de Paume and took an oath not to disband until they had given France a national constitution.

• Meanwhile, in Paris, news about what was happening in Versailles spread, and the people of Paris supported the representatives of the Third Estate and rose up against the privileged estates.

• On July 14th, thousands of Parisians armed themselves and stormed the Bastille prison, which symbolized royal oppression.

Two Powers in France

• In 1789, there were two separate powers operating in France: monarchy and the National Assembly.

• The National Assembly continued its work and declared rights similar to those proclaimed by the United States during their independence. They abolished feudal privileges and those of the Church.

• This period became known as "The Great Fear" as lower classes took advantage of this turbulent moment to rise up against nobles and loot their homes.

• Under pressure from both French citizens and the National Assembly, eventually, even King Louis XVI accepted that it represented French sovereignty.

The Evolution of Government

• In 1791, after drafting a constitution that surprisingly still maintained a monarchy but established a parliamentary system similar to England's, it was handed over to French citizens by the National Assembly.

• Following this phase came another governing body called "The National Convention," which consisted of two main factions: Girondins (moderate revolutionaries) and Jacobins (radical revolutionaries).

• The Girondins, representing the right-wing, were more inclined to share power with the king and consisted of the upper bourgeoisie and part of the nobility.

• The Jacobins, representing the left-wing, were composed of lower classes and lower bourgeoisie who wanted to remove the king from power and establish a republic.

Role of King Louis XVI

• Although initially it may seem that King Louis XVI's role was secondary as he shared sovereignty with Parliament, he played a significant role behind the scenes by constantly conspiring against the National Convention in an attempt to regain his power.

• To keep a closer eye on him, the National Convention moved the royal family from Versailles to Tuileries Palace in Paris.

• In June 1791, King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their children attempted to flee to Austria but were caught at the French border in Varennes. This event marked a definitive blow to the monarchy's public image.

Escalation of Radicalism

• As pressure from European absolute monarchies increased against France due to its revolutionary changes, support for radical factions like the Jacobins grew among French citizens.

• In 1793, France entered a new phase of radicalism. For example, on January 21st of that year, King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine for supporting counter-revolutionaries and foreign powers.

Conclusion

The narrator concludes by mentioning that although this video ends with Louis XVI's death, they will continue studying how the French Revolution unfolds in future videos.

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