The

French
Revolution
Presented by navya mangla of 9th C
Points of Discussion
TOPICS TO BE COVERED

Brief Introduction
French Society During the Late Eighteenth Century
The Outbreak of the Revolution
France Abolishes Monarchy and Becomes a Republic
conclusion
Summary

2022| The French revolution

Brief
Introduction In the year 1789, French Revolution started leading to a series of the
events started by the middle class. The people had revolted against the
cruel regime of the monarchy. This revolution had put forth the ideas of
liberty, fraternity as well as equality.
The start of the revolution took place on the morning of 14th July 1789 in
the state of Paris with the storming of the Bastille which is a fortress
prison. The Bastille stood for the repressive power of the king due to
which it was hated by all. The revolt became so strong that the fortress
was eventually demolished.

2022|the french revolution

French society during late eighteenth
century

France was a monarchy before the French revolution in 1789. Monarchy means France was
ruled by a hereditary king. Louis XVI was the king of France. The French society was divided
into three classes called Estates. The first estate was clergy (priestly class). The second estate
was nobles (rich people). The third estate was the commoners (poor and middle class people).
Most people in France were in third estate. They comprised more than 90 % of the French
population. The first and second estates lived the luxurious life. These two estates were getting
all the high- ranking jobs. People in third estate were less developed and poor. Most of them
were engaged in agricultural activities. While the king and the first two estates lived the
luxurious life, the third estate was living in extreme poverty. The third estate revolted against
the king, clergy and nobles. This marked the beginning of French revolution.
The Outbreak Of The French Revolution

Louis XVI called an assembly of the Estates General to pass his proposals to increase taxes on 5th May 1789. The first and
second estates sent 300 representatives each, who were seated in rows facing each other on two sides, while the 600
members of the third estate had to stand at the back. The third estate was represented by its more prosperous and
educated members only while peasants, artisans and women were denied entry to the assembly. Voting in the Estates
General in the past had been conducted according to the principle that each estate had one vote and same practice to
be continued this time. But members of the third estate demanded individual voting right, where each member would
have one vote.
After rejection of this proposal by the king, members of the third estate walked out of the assembly in protest. On 20th
June, the representatives of the third estate assembled in the hall of an indoor tennis court in the grounds of Versailles
where they declared themselves a National Assembly and vowed to draft a constitution for France that would limit the
powers of the monarch. The third estate was led by Mirabeau, a noble and Abbé Sieyès, a priest. While the National
Assembly was busy at Versailles drafting a constitution, the rest of France was in trouble. Severe winter destroyed the
food crops which resulted in increase in the prices. The bakers also hoarded supplies of breads for making greater profit.
After spending hours in long queues at the bakery, crowds of angry women stormed into the shops. At the same time,
the king ordered troops to move into Paris. On 14 July, the agitated crowd stormed and destroyed the Bastille.

2022 | french revolution

 France abolishes Monarchy And Becomes a Republic

The National Assembly completed the draft of the constitution in 1791, aiming to
limit the powers of the monarch. The powers were now separated and assigned to
different institutions – the legislature, executive and judiciary which made France a
constitutional monarchy. The Constitution of 1791 gave the power of making laws in
the hands of National Assembly, which was indirectly elected by a group of electors,
which were chosen by active citizens. Active Citizens comprises of only men above
25 years of age who paid taxes equal to at least 3 days of a labourer’s wage. The
remaining men and all women were classed as passive citizens who had no voting
rights.
 conclusion
The memory of the French Revolution retains its emotive power in current
debates on nationality, citizenship, and immigration in the Fifth Republic. The
doctrine of the rights of man implies that all men and women can be citizens,
either in their own countries or in France, on fulfilment of certain basic
conditions. As these rights are universal, race, religion, or language are
theoretically irrelevant: being human and having a proven desire and ability to
contribute to the life of the nation is sufficient. In the early years of the
Revolution, the revolutionaries sought to attract and retain talented and diligent
foreigners who would enjoy the fruits of liberty while enriching the country.
Ultimately, these people would adopt France as their home — but at the price
of abandoning all other forms of corporate or national identity
 summary
The French Revolution was a milestone episode in modern European history. It began in the
year 1789 and ended in the late 1790s with the rise of Napoleon Bonaparte. All through that
time, residents of France were levelling and restructuring their country’s administrative
landscape, uprooting centuries-old foundations such as sheer monarchy and the feudal
system. The turmoil was caused due to extensive discontent with the monarchy and the
pitiable economic policies of King Louis XVI.

The French Revolution played a critical role in shaping modern nations by showing its goals
and at times disintegrated into a chaotic bloodbath. The social and political structure of
France was completely changed due to this revolution. It came to an end to the French
feudalism, monarchy and took political power from the Catholic Church. It brought new ideas
to Europe including liberty and freedom for the commoner as well as the abolishment of
slavery and the rights of women. These new ideas continued to influence Europe and helped
to shape many of Europe's modern-day governments.

Thank You