1. Causes of the French Revolution:
    1. Ideas, assumptions, beliefs, philosophies of the 18th C.
    2. The American revolution
    3. Recent events in France

1.      Class differences.

2.      Louis 16th (weasel)

3.      Disputes among the three estates à meeting of the first Estates General since 1614.

a.       Why? Taxes!

b.      Tennis Court Oath

    1. Long term problems in France:

1.      France is different than Europe in terms of economy, administration and social systems.

2.      Agrarian emphasis, dependence on economically unstable population for food.

  1. Start of the Revolution 1789
    1. Rumors.
    2. Poverty, lack of food
    3. Image of Versailles
    4. July 14, 1789: Bastille day
    5. August 1789 E.G. finalizes Declaration of the Rights of Man
    6. October 1789 royal family taken prisoner.

1.      Problems with Marie Antoinette: Major Scandal over diamond necklace

à Jeanne de la Motte, Louis de Rohan

2.      Impact of public opinion and the press.

    1. Jacobins, Reign of Terror, Robespierre
  1. The Terror/Republic of Virtue: 1791-94
    1. 1791 National Assembly issues Constitution
    2. 1791 Revolutionary Govt declares war on the rest of Europe
    3. Changes under the Committee for Public Safety
    4. 1793 (21 January) Louis 16 executed
    5. 1793-94, 40,000 executed: 8% nobility, 14% middle classes, 6% clergy, 72% lower
    6. Things spiral out of control.
    7. 1794, Robespierre plots against both right and the left, executing sans-culottes leaders.
  1. Thermidorian Reaction:
    1. 28 July 1794, Robespierre executed by members of the Convention.
    2. Convention restructures the gov't, backlash against Jacobins
    3. Severs ties with sans-culottes.
    4. But civil unrest continues as another food shortage hits.
      1.  One of those who settles the crowds: Napoleon Boneparte.
    1. Settlement of wars with Europe includes Treaty of Basel in 1795.
    2. Keep an eye on Napoleon.