French Revolution: A Concise History

French Revolution: Key Events

Early Stages

1. The Social Injustice: The disparity between the wealthy and the peasantry.
2. Women's March on Versailles: Women protested food shortages and royal extravagance.
3. Storming of the Bastille: This event marked the start of the revolution.
4. Execution of Louis XVI: The king's execution by guillotine.
5. The Reign of Terror: A period of mass executions.

Key Assemblies

1. General Estates
2. National Assembly
3. Constituent Assembly
4. Legislative Assembly
5. Directory
6. Napoleon's Empire

Outbreak of the French Revolution

Origins of the Revolution

By 1789, France was a stratified society, with privileges held by the clergy and nobility at the expense of the rest of the population. A deep economic crisis, beginning in 1780, saw rising prices and the inability of the population to afford basic goods. The population was burdened by tithes and taxes, while the privileged classes paid none. The cost of the American War further strained the treasury. King Louis XVI was losing popular support, and the image of the monarchy was deteriorating.

The Meeting of the General Estates

After several unsuccessful attempts to resolve the economic crisis, and with the privileged classes refusing to pay taxes, Louis XVI declared bankruptcy in 1788 and convened the General Estates. Before the meeting, each estate compiled a book of grievances. The bourgeoisie formed political clubs and founded newspapers to spread their ideas. The Estates General met at Versailles in the spring of 1789.

The Beginning of the French Revolution

In the General Estates, the nobility and clergy favored a vote by estate, ensuring their privileged majority. The Third Estate, representing the commoners, demanded a vote per capita, giving them a majority. In July, the Third Estate declared itself the National Assembly, considering itself the only legitimate representative of France. Members pledged to draft a constitution. The National Assembly later became the Constituent Assembly. The king's resistance led to citizens storming the Bastille, a symbol of royal absolutism, fueled by rising bread prices and rumors of royal troops massing in Paris. From this point, institutional and popular revolution proceeded in parallel.

Abolition of the Old Regime (1789-1792)

Actions of the Constituent Assembly

The National Assembly transitioned into the Constituent Assembly. Its objectives were to dismantle the old regime and draft a new constitution. Key actions included:

• Abolition of feudal laws: This eliminated tithes and allowed access to all offices.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen: This recognized personal freedoms, equality before the law, and property rights.

These decrees marked the end of absolutism. In September 1791, the Constitution of 1791 was enacted, establishing a parliamentary monarchy, national sovereignty, fundamental rights, and a separation of powers.

The Legislature and Resistance to Reforms

While the Constitution satisfied the upper bourgeoisie, it did not meet the needs of ordinary people (sans-culottes) who desired more radical change. It also failed to satisfy the king and many of his supporters, many of whom emigrated, conspired against the new assembly, or resisted its decrees. The new assembly, elected by vote, passed decrees against the property of émigrés and expelled clergy who refused to swear allegiance to the constitution. The king vetoed both decrees, creating a difficult situation.

Foreign War and the End of the Monarchy

Austria and Prussia declared war on France in 1792. France's inability to repel the invading armies led to popular unrest. The people, fearing not only the king but also the invading armies, stormed the Tuileries Palace, the royal residence. The king and his family took refuge in the National Assembly. This marked the end of the monarchy and the beginning of the republic.