The French Revolution

Chapter 01: The French Revolution

The French Revolution is one of the most important events in the history of Europe a

French Society in the Late 18th Century

In 1774, Louis XVI of the Bourbon dynasty became the King of France at the age of 20. Upon his
marriage, he became the son-in-law of the Austrian emperor as his wife Marie Antoinette was the
Austrian princess. Upon his arrival, France was already reeling under a severe financial crisis due to
long years of war and debt repayment. The French government had taken loans from moneylenders
and by 1786 the total loan amounted to more than 2 billion livres. The government was expected to
pay 10% interest on this loan.

Due to the excessive burden of debt, the government increased taxes. The clergy, no

The Three Estates of French Society were:

First Estate (Clergy)

This estate included people who were connected to the Church and held religious positions. They
enjoyed special privileges from birth and were exempted from taxes. They collected Tithe from the
peasants and spent little on the production of food and resources.

Second Estate (Nobility)

This estate included nobles and aristocrats. They were exempted from taxes. Members of this
estate had some special privileges, such as Feudal Privileges. They collected Feudal Dues from the
peasants.

Third Estate (Common People)

All the remaining people of the society belonged to this estate. This estate consisted of peasants,
small farmers, artisans, traders, lawyers, etc. Members of this estate were subject to various taxes
and performed forced labor. This estate paid the Taille (main tax), and other indirect taxes on daily
use goods like salt, tobacco, and soap. 90% of the population belonged to this estate. Only a few
among them were rich. More than 60% of the land was owned by nobles, Church, and rich members
of the Third Estate.

Struggle of the People

France's population rose from 23 million in 1715 to 28 million in 1789. The demand for food
increased but production did not keep pace. People started spending more on bread. The poor had
to work as laborers in workshops and farms. Wages remained low despite rising prices. Poor people
were unemployed and had to beg or steal. This was called a Subsistence Crisis. This crisis became
a major cause of the revolution.

Emergence of the Middle Class

A new social group emerged in the 18th century called the Middle Class. Foreign trade led to
economic prosperity and created a wealthy middle class that included traders, manufacturers, and
lawyers. These people were educated and believed in a society based on freedom and equal rights.

The Middle Class questioned the privileges of the First and Second Estates and dema

Thinkers and Their Ideas

- John Locke, in his book "Two Treatises of Government", rejected the idea of the divine right of
kings.

- Rousseau, in his book "Social Contract", suggested a form of government based on a social
agreement.

- Montesquieu, in his book "The Spirit of the Laws", proposed the separation of powers among
Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

The spread of these ideas was promoted by salons and books and inspired the Frenc

Beginning of the Revolution

Louis XVI called a meeting of the Estates General on 5 May 1789 to pass proposals for new taxes.
Each estate had one vote. The Third Estate demanded voting by head. When denied, the Third
Estate walked out. They declared themselves the National Assembly. They took an oath at the
Tennis Court and vowed to draft a Constitution.

Fall of the Bastille

On 14 July 1789, people stormed the Bastille prison in Paris. Bastille was a symbol of royal power.
The prisoners were freed, and the weapons were looted. This marked the beginning of the French
Revolution.
 The French Revolution

The peasants revolted in villages and attacked the nobles' chateaux. Documents cont

End of Privileges

On 4 August 1789, the National Assembly abolished the feudal system of obligations and taxes.
Tithes collected by the Church were abolished and lands held by the Church were confiscated.

The Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen was passed on 26 August 1789. It de

France Becomes a Constitutional Monarchy

In 1791, the National Assembly completed the draft of the Constitution. It limited the powers of the
monarch and divided the government into Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary.

The Constitution gave the right to vote to men above 25 years who paid taxes equal to

National Assembly also introduced laws to improve women's lives but women did no

Rise of Jacobins

In 1792, the Jacobin Club emerged as a powerful force. Members were mostly from the poor
sections of society. They wore long striped trousers (Sans-culottes) instead of knee breeches. The
Jacobins, led by Robespierre, overthrew the monarchy and declared France a Republic on 21
September 1792.

Execution of King Louis XVI

Louis XVI was tried by court and executed on 21 January 1793 for treason.

Reign of Terror (1793-94)

This was a period under Robespierre's rule when thousands were executed by guillotine. Even
those suspected of opposing the government were killed. Eventually, Robespierre was arrested and
executed.

Directory Rule in France

After Robespierre's fall, a five-member Directory came to power. It was weak and corrupt. Political
instability led to Napoleon Bonaparte taking control in 1799.

Women and the Revolution

Women formed clubs and newspapers. Olympe de Gouges demanded equal rights and wrote the
Declaration of the Rights of Woman. But women were not granted the right to vote until 1946.

Abolition of Slavery

The National Assembly abolished slavery in the French colonies in 1794. Slavery had existed in the
Caribbean islands for sugar and coffee plantations. Napoleon reintroduced it, but it was finally
abolished in 1848.

Impact on Daily Life

Censorship was abolished. Freedom of speech and expression were established. Books,
pamphlets, and newspapers spread revolutionary ideas.

Conclusion

Napoleon crowned himself Emperor in 1804. He made many reforms but was defeated at the Battle
of Waterloo in 1815. The French Revolution's ideals inspired many around the world, including the
Indian freedom struggle.

Timeline

1774 - Louis XVI became king of France.

1789 - Estates General meeting; Bastille stormed; National Assembly formed.

1791 - Constitution framed; Constitutional monarchy established.

1792-93 - France becomes Republic; King executed.

1804 - Napoleon becomes Emperor.

1815 - Napoleon defeated at Waterloo.