FRENCH REVOLUTION

RECAP
*Taxes are increased….n people are agitated

*Price of bread was hiked

*Meeting of Estates called by the king was dismissed.

*People declared themselves as NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

*Storming of BASTILLE

*France became a Constitutional Monarchy…..

FRANCE ABOLISHES MONARCHY & BECOMES A REPUBLIC.
*In the following years France continued be tensed.
*Although Louis XVI had signed the Constitution, entered in a secret negotiations with the king
of PRUSSIA …and asked them to send troops to control the NATIONAL ASSEBMLY.

Q. Why did the neighbouring countries offer help to France(KING) in such times?
*Before PRUSSIA could help Louis XVI….National Assembly
voted in 1792…to declare war against PRUSSIA & AUSTRIA.

*This was considered as an act of betrayal….done by king Louis

XVI.

*Also this gave a start to a war of people against the atrocities all
over Europe.

*Patriotic songs were sung….one out of those became the

National Anthem of France: MARSAILLAISE.
{Marseillaise….is a place in south France….from where people
had marched till Paris}
*Revolutionary activities did bring in economic &
social loss.
*While men were fighting at the front …the women
fought for food for their families.
*But large sections of the country were convinced that
REVOLUTION was a must.

Q Why were the people(large sections) convinced to

have revolution?
POLITICAL CLUBS:
*Political clubs became an important rallying point for
people who wanted change in their governance.

*That gave rise to various groups/clubs.

*Most successful club was: JACOBINS

*They got their name from the former convent of St.

Jacob.

*Women too were active in this period.

* The less prosperous section of the society.

*Leader was: MAXIMILLIAN ROBESPIERRE.

*Fixed attire: Stripped bottoms (Full length)-San culottes & red cap(sign of liberty)
*In the summer of 1792 the Jacobins planned an insurrection of a large
number of Parasians who were angered by the short supplies & hiked price
of bread.

*On 10th August: They stormed the palace of Tuilleries.

*Later Assembly voted to imprison the royal family.

*Elections were held: From now on all men above 21 years of age
regardless of their wealth had right to vote.

*Newly elected assembly was called CONVENTION.

*Then FRANCE was declared as REPUBLIC.

*Later LOUIS XVI & MARIE A was charged of TREASON n executed.

THE REIGN OF TERROR
*Period: 1793 to 1794

* Maximillian Robespierre’s reign

*Policy : Severe control and punishment to anybody who was

against REPUBLIC.(Even if they were his own party members)

*Referred as: Revolutionary Tribunal / Guillotine.

*The Guillotine: was a device consisting of two poles and a blade

with which a person is beheaded….it was named after Dr Guillotine
who invented it.
Changes in Robespierre’s reign:
*Govt. issued laws placing max. ceiling on wages & prices

*Meat & bread was rationed.

*Peasants were forced to sell their grains in the cities at a price fixed by the Govt.

*Use of more expensive flour was forbidden...all citizens were suppose to eat bread of
whole wheat{EQUALITY BREAD}.

*All people were referred as CITIZENS n not SIR/MADAME.

*Churches were shut down & the buildings were turned into barracks/ offices.
Flaw in Robespeirre’s governance:
*Very harsh & relentless.

Q. Who were the victims of Guillotine? (Enlist the names)

RESULT of Robespeirre’s governance:

*People couldn’t accept such harsh & ruthless act…and so
Robespeirre was convicted by the court in JULY 1794, arrested
& sent to the GUILLOTINE.
A DIRECTORY RULES FRANCE:

*After the fall of Jacobin govt. ….the wealthier middle class

seized the power.

A NEW CONSTITUION WAS DEVICED…THAT DENIED

THE VOTE TO NON PROPERTIED SECTIONS OF SOCIETY.

*It had two branches….Legislative & Executive(This was to

divide the power n not keep it under one person like during the
Jacobins.
*But the directors…often clashed with the legislative
councils…as a result the directory was dismissed.

*This fight paved way for another powerful person to take

control: MILITARY DICTATOR – NAPOLEON
BONAPARTE.

*Though all these things happened in France…the ideals

of FREEDOM ,EQUALITY BEFORE LAW &
FRATERNITY kept inspiring people always.