The French Revolution

The French revolution was a defining period in French history because it marked the fall of the monarchy and a move toward equalization of the social classes. Although there were bloody periods during the decade of the revolution, it resulted in positive changes for the citizenry.

Definition

The French Revolution was a period of French history, running from 1789 to 1799, during which significant political and social changes took place. Society was originally dominated by an absolute monarchy, with privileges limited to the aristocracy while poorer peasants suffered. During the decade of the revolution, the monarchy crumbled and was replaced with a new emphasis on equality and individual rights. The period directly preceding the French Revolution was a time of financial hardship caused by the Seven Years War and France's part in the American Revolution. Expenses from these conflicts left the country nearly bankrupt when Louis XVI took the throne and set the stage for discontent and a desire for governmental change.

Estates-General of 1789

The Estates-General of 1789 triggered the French Revolution. This general assembly of representatives from the noble class, the Church, and the common people was called together by King Louis XVI to help him resolve financial issues in the kingdom. The assembly continued through May and June without formulating any solutions. Instead, the representatives clashed with each other over their powers and positions in society. Eventually the commoners formed a National Assembly after they believed they were excluded from a meeting of the general assembly. They found the meeting hall doors locked and guarded, so they held their own meeting on a nearby tennis court, proclaiming a fateful oath to see a democratic consitution through.

There is some controversy over whether the lock-out was an intentional exclusion or whether the meeting hall was simply closed because of the death of the king's son two weeks earlier. In the latter case, the closure would have been due to the king's mourning, during which no political matters could be conducted. Whatever the true reason, this incident was the first time that French citizens directly opposed the king's power, and they would continue to do so in other events leading up to the revolution.

Storming of the Bastille

The storming of the Bastille was another major event in the French Revolution. The prison was a convenient target because it represented the monarchy's power. Only seven inmates were being held inside at the time of this event, so it was largely a symbolic act. A crowd of citizens gathered to demand surrender of the prison. They took over the courtyard when negotiations failed. Stories vary on whether the governor ordered cannon fire that killed several people and made the mob's anger worse. He eventually surrendered, allowing the attackers to take over the prison.

The French people were emboldened by the fact that the king did not launch a counterstrike on Paris after the storming. Nobles, sensing the growing unrest, began to flee the country, while common citizens organized new local government structures.

Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen

France continued its march toward the end of the king's reign and feudal system with the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in August of 1789. This declaration laid out a judicial code and proclaimed the the autonomy of all French citizens. Surrounding countries worried that these activities would inspire their own citizens to rebel, causing France to declare war on Prussia and Austria because of their hostility.

The Reign of Terror

Rifts developed among members of the National Assembly, as some favored keeping a constitutional monarchy while others wanted it abolished completely. The rifts caused the assembly to be replaced with a National Convention. Eventually, the monarchy was dissolved and France was proclaimed to be a republic. Louis XVI was executed in January, 1793, ostensibly for treason. This was followed by a year-long “reign of terror” in which more than 15,000 people, suspected of being counterrevolutionaries, all died at the guillotine. Maximilien Robespierre, who was in power at the time, was executed himself once foreigners were successfully fought off and the French economy stabilized.

End of the French Revolution

By 1799, a successful young general named Napoleon Bonaparte seized power. His armies had made it as far as Egypt before finally being defeated. When he returned to France, he declared himself “First Consul,” and the revolution gave way to a decade and a half of military rule.

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