Phases of the French Revolution: Monarchy to Republic

Three Periods of the French Revolution

1. The Constitutional Monarchy

National Assembly

Louis XVI resisted a written constitution and used weapons against the National Assembly, reaching Paris on July 14, 1789.

Uprising in Paris

• Parisians organized their government, calling it the Commune.
• Nobles were attacked, feudal dues and existing taxes were destroyed.
• Many nobles fled, and Louis XVI was forced to adopt the new flag of France.

Changes by the National Assembly

• Abolishment of guilds.
• Abolition of special privileges.
• Constitution of 1791.
• Declaration of the Rights of Man.
• Equality before the law for men.
• Reforms in the logical government structure.

Declaration of the Rights of Man

This declaration guaranteed:

• Freedom of religion and speech.
• Freedom of the press.
• Guaranteed property rights.
• The motto: "Liberty, equality, and fraternity."
• The right to a fair trial.

End of Privileges

Everyone became equal:

• Church lands were seized, divided, and sold to peasants.
• All special privileges of the First and Second Estates were abolished.

Constitution of 1791

• Democratic features: France became a limited monarchy; Laws were created by the Legislative Assembly; Feudalism was abolished.
• Undemocratic features: Only propertied individuals could vote.

Legislative Assembly (1791 to 1792)

This was the new name for the governing body.

• Church officials sought the restoration of church lands, rights, and privileges.
• Political parties emerged, representing different interests: Girondists and Jacobins.

Opposition to the New Government

• France was invaded by Austrian and Prussian troops.
• The Commune took control of Paris, led by Danton, a member of the Jacobin political party.
• Voters began electing representatives for a new convention, which would later lead to a Republican constitution in France; meanwhile, thousands of nobles were executed.

2. The Social Republic and the Convention

Convention (1792–1795)

It established the first republic and faced opposition from abroad, as Spain formed a Coalition invading France.

Abolishment of the Monarchy

The Convention abolished the monarchy; the royal couple was guillotined in 1793.

Memorable Jacobins

• Georges Danton (Reign of Terror).
• Maximilien Robespierre (Reign of Terror).
• Jean-Paul Marat.

Reign of Terror (1793/1794)

Danton and his Jacobin political party came to dominate French politics. Accused of treason by the Revolutionary Tribunal, about 15,000 people died.

3. The Conservative Republic and the Directory

End of the Reign of Terror

The Girondist political party ended the Reign of Terror (ROT). Robespierre became the leader of the Committee of Public Safety. The ROT ended in 1794 when the Convention sent Robespierre and other members of his group to the guillotine.

Constitution of the Year III of the Republic

Established the Directory, an executive government composed of five people.

Directory

The Directory suffered from corruption and poor administration. However, a stronger feeling of nationalism developed; citizens were proud of their country and its military success. This period ended with a revolution when Napoleon Bonaparte came to power.