3.2 The French revolution

• History
• Geschiedenis
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

3.2 The French revolution

Learning goals 

1. You can describe how the French Revolution started and what the causes were.
   
2. You can explain what political and social changes happened as a result of the French Revolution.
   
3. You can explain how the French Revolution turned into a reign of terror.

Name at least two causes of the French Revolution

The three people represent the three estates.

Who is who?

Clergy

Burghers and Peasants

Nobility

1st estate

2nd estate

3rd estate

A new people’s parliament

France was at war with multiple countries -->

This led to a debt or worse!

New taxes to avoid going bankrupt

Louis XVI needed the states general for the new taxes. 

A new people’s parliament

The third estate did not agree to the voting system. 

They set up their own people’s parliament also called the National Assembly.

On 14th of July 1789 the hungry and angry Parisians stormed the Bastille 

This is seen as the start of the revolution --> France became a republic 

Causes of the French revolution 

• The huge inequality and injustice of the Ancien Régime;

• The rise of enlightened ideas about society and government;

• France’s lack of money.

 

A new society

Abolishing of the rights of the second and first estate 

Declaration of the rights of man and citizen.

Fundamental rights

Freedom of religion and expression 

Liberty, equality and fraternity 

1791 constitution 

Seperation of powers 

King as head of the state --> Parliament had all the power.

Only rich citizens had the right to vote 

The revolution gets out of hand.

Nobles fled France, also the King tried to flee France. 

1792 war broke out between France and Austria, Prussia.

Panic broke out in Paris, the idea that countries could overthrow the revolution. 

King got beheaded. 

Reign of terror

Up until 1793 the moderates were in control. 

They wanted change but not as fast as the radicals wanted. 

Robespierre took over control and noboby was safe. 

During his reign around 40.000 French people were killed. 

What event marks the beginning of the French Revolution?

Causes of the Revolution

The French Revolution 1789-1794

the Estates System

March on Versailles

Tennis Court Oath

king's extravagance

First Coalition War

Storming of the Bastille

a constitution

Reign of Terror

Enlightenment ideas

Harvest failure / famine

Execution Louis XVI

France =  Republic

Absolutism