The French Revolution In A Nutshell

The French Revolution

This video discusses the French Revolution and its impact on European and world history.

Background of the French Revolution

• The French Revolution was a defining moment in European and world history that led to major reforms in the British government, as well as the Cold War.

• The 18th century was tumultuous for Europe's major powers, with France and Britain frequently clashing for power across the world's stage.

• Wars such as the War of Austrian Succession and American War of Independence left France in dire financial shape.

Causes of the French Revolution

• As bread prices climbed and taxes increased, peasants began rioting and looting, staging labor strikes, and refusing to work until King Louis XVI did something about their worsening situation.

• In 1786, Louis XVI's controller general created a financial reform package that included a universal land tax which would not exempt the upper classes from paying. Rich people were not happy about this proposal.

• To garner support for this desperately needed tax, King Louis XVI summoned an assembly of France's clergy, nobility, and middle class called Estates-General. However, only 2% of clergy and nobility could overrule decisions made by non-aristocratic members.

The National Assembly

• Hostilities between three estates erupted into near-violence between different members. Middle class declared themselves as National Assembly.

• Most of the clergy and forty-seven nobles joined the new National Assembly. King Louis XVI disbanded Estates-General and absorbed its members into new National Assembly.

• Many nobles did not take this new development well at all, and King Louis XVI moved several army regiments into Paris and the surrounding countryside.

The Fall of the Bastille

This section covers the fall of the Bastille, which was a symbol of royal tyranny and oppression. It led to the spread of revolutionary fervor across France.

Negotiations Turn Violent

• Bernard-Rene de Launay, governor of the Bastille, invited delegates from the revolutionary force to negotiate a surrender.

• Promising not to open fire, he greeted them warmly as they sat to discuss terms.

• Talks dragged on and people outside grew restless and became convinced that their delegates had been imprisoned inside.

• A group climbed an outer wall and lowered a drawbridge, letting the horde inside the courtyard.

• When they attempted to lower a second drawbridge, de Launay ordered his soldiers to shoot, killing 100 civilians.

Siege and Surrender

• French Guards laid siege to the fort with heavy cannons.

• De Launay was forced to surrender.

• He was marched down to city hall and murdered; his corpse was decapitated.

The Great Fear

This section covers how after decades of exploitation by nobility, peasants began an open revolt known as The Great Fear.

Peasant Revolt

• Peasants looted and burned homes of tax collectors, landlords, and elite triggering an exodus of nobility from France.

• Known as The Great Fear it inspired National Assembly to formally abolish feudalism on August 4th 1789.

Declaration of Rights

This section covers how National Assembly abolished feudalism in France through Declaration of Rights which called for equal opportunity for all, freedom of speech, popular sovereignty and representative government.

Declaration of Rights

• Known as the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen.

• Did away with old system of exploitation by nobility.

• Called for a system based on equal opportunity for all, freedom of speech, popular sovereignty and representative government.

Constitutional Monarchy

This section covers how National Assembly adopted a constitutional monarchy which allowed the king to have royal veto power and to appoint ministers.

Constitutional Monarchy

• Adopted a constitutional monarchy which allowed the king to have royal veto power and to appoint ministers.

• Many influential revolutionary leaders desired a constitution akin to that of the United States.

• They argued that France should become a grand republic with no king.

War and Arrest of King Louis XVI

This section covers how in April 1792, Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria and Prussia. It also covers how King Louis XVI was arrested by radical revolutionaries in August 10th.

War Declared

• In April 1792, Legislative Assembly declared war on Austria and Prussia whom they believed were harboring counterrevolutionary French nobility.

• Hoped that defeat would further spread their revolution exporting more democratic ideals across Europe.

Arrest of King Louis XVI

• In August 10th King Louis XVI was arrested by radical revolutionaries who demanded he be put on trial immediately both for his past crimes against nation and for harboring secret desires to crush new democratic Legislative Assembly.

Reign of Terror

This section covers how after September wave violence swept across the nation, with the massacring of counterrevolutionaries who wanted a return to monarchic power. The Legislative Assembly was disbanded and replaced by a new National Convention which immediately declared the abolition of the monarchy and the birth of the French Republic.

Violence Sweeps Across France

• In September wave violence swept across nation, with massacring of counterrevolutionaries who wanted a return to monarchic power.

• Legislative Assembly was disbanded and replaced by new National Convention which immediately declared abolition of monarchy and birth of French Republic.

Reign of Terror Ends

This section covers how Reign of Terror led to yet another revolution by French people known as Thermidorian Reaction.

Thermidorian Reaction

• Reign of Terror would itself lead to yet another revolution by French people known as Thermidorian Reaction.

• With severely weakened National Convention and French people pretty sick of politician's crap, it was decided that executive power would lie with five-member Directory which would be appointed by parliament.

Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

This section covers how Directory proved to be a huge disaster which relied on military force to maintain rule and paved way for Napoleon Bonaparte to overthrow them and declare himself Emperor.

Rise of Napoleon Bonaparte

• Many protested this new regime, which were swiftly put down by French military now led by very successful general - Napoleon Bonaparte.

• From here on out everything worked out just fine and there were no major problems in Europe ever again.

• Just kidding, Directory proved to be huge disaster which relied on military force to maintain rule.

• Paved way for Napoleon Bonaparte to overthrow them and declare himself Emperor.