The French

Revolution
Welcome to this presentation on the French Revolution. The revolution began
in 1789 with the storming of the Bastille fortress, which served as a symbol of
the French monarchy's absolute rule. The National Assembly then abolished
the feudal system and privileges of the nobility, paving the way for the
establishment of a republic.

The revolution culminated in the execution of King Louis XVI by guillotine in

1793, marking the end of the French monarchy.

This significant period in history greatly influenced the political and social
landscape of France, and its impact continues to reverberate around the world.
Explore the key events and prominent figures of the French Revolution to gain
a deeper understanding of this transformative era.

BY : Abdul Rahman
Abolition of the Monarchy
1 End of Absolute Rule
The French Revolution brought an end
to the absolute monarchy that had
ruled France for centuries under the
Bourbon dynasty.
2 Execution of King Louis XVI
In a dramatic and controversial move,
King Louis XVI was put on trial and
executed by guillotine in 1793 for
treason against the people.

3 Establishment of the Republic

With the monarchy abolished, France transitioned to a new form of government - the First
French Republic, established in 1792.
Establishment of the Republic
The Declaration of the
Republic
In 1792, the National
Convention abolished the
monarchy and declared
France a republic, ushering in
a new era of democratic
governance after centuries of
royal rule.
Joyous Public
Celebration
The abolition of the
monarchy was met with
widespread public
enthusiasm, as the French
people celebrated the dawn
of a new republican era of
equality and self-governance.
Radical Jacobin
Leadership
The French Republic was
initially led by the Jacobin
faction, whose radical policies
and use of the Reign of Terror
would shape the turbulent
early years of the new
government.
The Reign of Terror
Radical Jacobin Rule
The Jacobin faction, led by Maximilien
Robespierre, instituted a period of
extreme political violence and repression
known as the Reign of Terror to
consolidate their revolutionary power.
Mass Executions
Tens of thousands of people, including
members of the nobility, clergy, and
political opponents, were executed by
guillotine in a series of purges that
gripped France during this turbulent time.

Paranoia and Suspicion

An atmosphere of fear and distrust permeated society as the Jacobins ruthlessly eliminated
anyone they deemed a threat to the revolution, leading to an escalation of violence and
instability.
A Directory Rules France
Governing Council
After the Reign of Terror, a
new governing council called
the Directory took power,
consisting of five members
who ruled France in a more
moderate style.
Balancing Factions
The Directory sought to
balance the competing
political factions of the
revolution, tempering the
radical Jacobins while
maintaining the republican
principles established after
the monarchy's downfall.
Legal Reforms
During this period, the
Directory implemented
various legal and economic
reforms, paving the way for
greater stability and the
eventual rise of Napoleon
Bonaparte as a powerful
leader.
Role of Women in the
Revolution
Women played a vital and multifaceted role in the French Revolution, fighting
for equality, rights, and a voice in the new republic.

They actively participated in political clubs, wrote revolutionary pamphlets,

and organized public demonstrations.

Some notable women leaders of the revolution include Olympe de Gouges,

who advocated for women's rights through her Declaration of the Rights of
Woman, and Charlotte Corday, who assassinated Jean-Paul Marat in an
attempt to end the Reign of Terror.

Despite their contributions, women were often marginalized and their

demands for equal rights were not fully realized until much later.
Olympe de Gouges and the Declaration
of the Rights of Woman

Olympe de Gouges, a pioneering French

feminist, wrote the Declaration of the Rights
of Woman and the Female Citizen in 1791.
This document boldly asserted women's
equality and political rights, challenging the
male-dominated leadership of the French
Revolution.
De Gouges' revolutionary manifesto directly
responded to the
Declaration of the Rights of Man, demanding
that women be granted the same liberties and
privileges as men under the new republic.
Women's March on Versailles

In October 1789, thousands of Parisian women, angered by bread shortages

and the lavish lifestyle of the French nobility, marched on the Palace of
Versailles. This dramatic protest helped catalyze the revolutionary spirit and
forced the royal family to return to Paris, a pivotal moment in the French
Revolution.
The women of Paris were instrumental in bringing about this change. They
demanded an immediate response to their grievances, and their pressure on
the government ultimately led to the creation of a new constitution and the
establishment of a constitutional monarchy.

The march was also significant in that it demonstrated the power of the people
to enact change, and it paved the way for future popular uprisings and
revolutions throughout history.
The Reign of Terror and its Impact on
Women
Victims of the Silencing of Excluded from Enduring
Guillotine Female Voices Power Resilience

During the Reign of Despite their vital Even in the face of

Terror, many The Jacobin contributions to persecution and
prominent women government the revolution, repression, many
were executed by sought to suppress women were French women
guillotine for their and silence the ultimately continued to fight
political views or growing feminist excluded from for their rights and
associations. This movement in positions of play an active role
included France. They political power in in the turbulent
revolutionary banned women's the new French events of the
figures like Olympe political clubs and Republic. The revolution. Their
de Gouges, who societies, Jacobin leadership courage and
was killed for her effectively shutting was dominated by determination laid
outspoken down a key avenue men who were the groundwork
advocacy of for women to unwilling to grant for future
women's rights. organize and make women full advancements in
their voices heard. equality and women's equality.
participation in the
Legacy of the French Revolution for
Women's Rights
Trailblazing Feminists
Courageous women like
Olympe de Gouges risked
their lives to demand equality
and challenge the male-
dominated power structures
of the French Revolution,
laying the groundwork for
future generations of feminist
activists.
Ongoing Struggle
The French Revolution's
promise of liberty, equality,
and fraternity for all citizens
was not fully realized for
women, whose fight for equal
rights continued long after
the revolution's tumultuous
events.
Enduring Inspiration
The bravery, determination,
and sacrifices of revolutionary
women like Olympe de
Gouges continue to inspire
the ongoing struggle for
gender equality and women's
empowerment in France and
beyond.