French Revolution: Key Events and Political Factions
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The French Revolution: 1789-1794
The Spark of Revolution: July 1789
The Estates-General convened in Versailles on May 5, 1789. Each of the three estates (nobility, clergy, and the Third Estate) had only one vote, regardless of their size. The privileged estates (nobility and clergy) refused to concede to the Third Estate's demands for fairer representation. This led to a series of events that ignited the revolution.
Formation of the National Assembly: June 20, 1789
Representatives of the Third Estate convened in the Jeu de Paume in Paris on June 20. They formed the National Assembly and pledged not to disband until a new constitution was established. The king eventually yielded, and the Estates-General transformed into the National Constituent Assembly on July 9.
Storming of the Bastille: July 14, 1789
On July 14, the people of Paris stormed the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority. This event marked a turning point in the revolution.
National Constituent Assembly (1789-1791)
The National Constituent Assembly abolished feudalism, including tithes, rents, and other privileges. It also adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen on August 26, 1789.
Ecclesiastical Disentailment
The Assembly seized church property and put it up for auction. The clergy would be maintained by the French government. This led to a division within the clergy between the refractory clergy (those who refused to swear an oath to the constitution) and the constitutionalists (those who did).
The Fall of the Monarchy (1791-1792)
Many nobles emigrated and encouraged foreign powers, such as Austria, to intervene and restore the old regime. In June 1791, the royal family attempted to flee France to join Austrian troops but were captured in Varennes. This event led to the suspension of the king's powers. In October 1791, new members were elected to the Legislative Assembly.
Assault on the Tuileries: August 10, 1792
On August 10, 1792, the people stormed the Tuileries Palace, where the royal family resided. The king was arrested, and elections were held by universal male suffrage.
The Convention (1792-1795)
Girondin Convention
The Girondins initially dominated the Convention. They wanted to punish Louis XVI but not execute him. The Jacobins, however, pushed for his execution. Louis XVI was guillotined on January 21, 1793. This execution accentuated divisions within the Convention and led to the formation of a European coalition against revolutionary France.
Jacobin Convention
In late May and early June, with the support of the sans-culottes, the Jacobins arrested and executed several Girondin leaders. This marked the beginning of the Reign of Terror. The Committee of Public Safety, led by Robespierre, took control and implemented harsh measures, including detentions and hasty trials. Social reforms were introduced, such as the distribution of property from speculators and the establishment of free and compulsory education. In 1794, the Enragés demanded more equality, more social reforms, and the abolition of private property.
Political Factions During the Revolution
Legislature (1791-1792)
- Right: Girondins - Represented the interests of the bourgeoisie.
- In favor of: Constitutional monarchy, freedom of trade, moderate political reforms, the Chapelier Law, and civil equality.
- Against: Census suffrage.
- Left: Jacobins - Represented the interests of the urban middle classes.
- In favor of: Civil equality and universal suffrage.
- Advocated for: Social equality but with limits on the accumulation of property.
- Cordeliers: Lower middle class, republicans.
- In favor of: Private property with many restrictions, universal suffrage, and social and civil equality.
Outside the Assembly
- Sans-culottes: Urban working class. The Cordeliers used them for their own interests.
The revolution initially favored a constitutional monarchy within the limits of the Constitution of 1791.