Question
In 1774, Louis XVI, a 19-year-old prince, came to the throne as the King of France. His
18-year-old wife was named Marie Antoinette. King Louis XVI inherited a massive
amount of debt from his predecessors. He further increased the debt of the French
Government by supporting the American Revolution in its fight against France’s bitter
rival, Great Britain. King Louis XVI became desperate to raise funds to pay off the debts
of France.
In order to pay off these debts, he decided that he
would tax the first and second estates, which had
always been exempt from paying taxes before. These
estates refused to pay the new taxes.
In 1789, King Louis XVI summoned a group known as
the Estates-General to meet in Versailles to discuss the
matter of taxes. The Estates-General was a body of
people representing each of the three social estates in
France. They had not been called together since 1610.
King Louis XVI hoped that by calling them together they
could solve the problems of debt facing the nation. The
Estates-General had other plans, however. They wanted
to use the meeting to take power from the King and
address the social ills that they felt were plaguing them.
A French Constitution
Members of the Estates-General
representing the third estate outnumbered
representatives from both the first and
second estates combined. If each
representative were to be given one vote,
the third estate would have more votes and
would have been able to get their will
passed. In order to insure this did not
happen, King Louis XVI locked
representatives of the third estate out of the
meetings.
Outraged, they met at a nearby indoor tennis court where they gave themselves the
name of The National Assembly. Here, representatives took an oath that they would not
leave until they had written a new constitution for France. King Louis XVI worried about the form this constitution would take if it were to be
written strictly by members of the
third estate. He ordered
representatives from the first and
second estates to join the National
Assembly.
A Revolution Begins
As the National Assembly met to
write a new constitution, their
debates often spilled out into the
streets of Paris. Soon, everyone in
the capital was debating the social
ills of France, and what form a
new government should take.
Fearing the sentiment of
revolution that was quickly expanding throughout the capital, King Louis XVI placed
troops throughout the capital city as well as around the palace.
Seeing the troop buildup, many of the supporters of the National Assembly worried that
the King planned to use these
troops to put an end to the
National Assembly and to the
reforms they were making.
In order to defend the National
Assembly, rioters attacked the
Prison of Bastille where weapons
and ammunition were stored. In
this battle, a number of rioters
and soldiers were killed. The
rioters were able to gain control
of the prison and establish a new
radical government in Paris.
The Great Fear
From Bastille, violence spread throughout the French countryside. Rumors were spread
that the feudal lords had hired robbers to murder peasants. This rumor was not true, but
it flamed fear that led to the peasants rising up against their local lords.
Peasants broke into manor houses, killed many of the nobles, and took possession of
their properties. This wave of violence is known as the Great Fear. The Declaration of Rights
As violence continued to spread throughout the countryside, members of the third estate
demanded equality for all citizens of France. Members of the first and second estates
held out, refusing to grant equal rights and refusing to give up the special privileges that
they had enjoyed for so many centuries.
The continued escalation of violence finally convinced them
that they had no choice but to give up and submit to the
will of the much larger third estate. On August 4, 1789,
the National Assembly passed a number of important
reforms that abolished feudal dues and established taxes
on members of the first and second estates.
The National Assembly then turned their attention towards
creating a bill of rights for their people. This Declaration of
Rights included the freedom of speech, the freedom of the
press, and the freedom of religion. It also protected
citizens from being falsely arrested. This Declaration of
Rights remains in the French Constitution to this day.
Royal Family Flees France
In June of 1791, King Louis XVI, fearing for the lives of himself and his family,
attempted to escape into Austria. Marie Antoinette’s brother was the emperor of Austria.
They hoped that once in Austria they would be safe.
Their attempt failed, however, when
they were recognized along the road
by a passerby who called for soldiers
to have them arrested. Returned to
Paris, the king and his family had no
choice but to accept any demands put
upon them by the people and to
remain in their home as prisoners.
A Republic is Born
From 1792 through 1795, a National Convention met in Paris to further define the new
form the French Government would take. They decided to completely do away with the
monarchy and establish a republic. They also granted the right to vote to all men,
regardless of whether they could pay their taxes or not. King Louis XVI is Beheaded
In 1792, King Louis XVI was tried before the National Convention where he was found
guilty of having conspired against the liberty of the nation. In January of 1793, he was
put to death by the Guillotine.
News of the death of the king was received with great joy and celebration throughout
Paris and France. This was seen as a great moment and a guarantee that the revolution
would now go forward.
A Revolution in Trouble
Monarchs throughout Europe were concerned about the events that had taken place in
France. The natural order that had existed for centuries had been disrupted. They
worried that the same thing could happen in their
own nations, and that their own thrones, and
even their lives might be at risk.
To avoid the revolution spreading into their own
nations, these monarchs joined together to fight
against France. Soldiers were sent from Great
Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sardinia to
fight against the revolutionaries in France.
This war made life very difficult in France. In
order to fight these large armies, the new French
government established a draft that called up all men between the ages of 18 and 45 to
fight for their liberties. This draft touched off a civil war in Western France where
royalists who had supported the king were angry that their sons had been forced to fight
in a way that they did not support.
Within the National Convention, fierce debate and a growing divide among different
political parties threatened to tear the young, fragile government apart.
The Reign of Terror
Seeing the turmoil that was both within and surrounding France, the leading political
party known as the Jacobins determined that they would crush any resistance within
their new nation. They established neighborhood watches that were intended to find
anyone who was not loyal to the new French government. These watches would turn in
suspected traitors, who would often be put to death.
This period of time is known as the Reign of Terror,
and lasted from July 1793 until July 1794, during which
approximately 17,000 individuals were executed.
Turmoil and Unrest in France:
A French Constitution:
A Revolution Begins:
The Great Fear:
The Declaration of Rights:
Royal Family Flees France:
A Republic is Born:
King Louis XVI is Beheaded:
A Revolution in Trouble:
The Reign of Terror:
18-year-old wife was named Marie Antoinette. King Louis XVI inherited a massive
amount of debt from his predecessors. He further increased the debt of the French
Government by supporting the American Revolution in its fight against France’s bitter
rival, Great Britain. King Louis XVI became desperate to raise funds to pay off the debts
of France.
In order to pay off these debts, he decided that he
would tax the first and second estates, which had
always been exempt from paying taxes before. These
estates refused to pay the new taxes.
In 1789, King Louis XVI summoned a group known as
the Estates-General to meet in Versailles to discuss the
matter of taxes. The Estates-General was a body of
people representing each of the three social estates in
France. They had not been called together since 1610.
King Louis XVI hoped that by calling them together they
could solve the problems of debt facing the nation. The
Estates-General had other plans, however. They wanted
to use the meeting to take power from the King and
address the social ills that they felt were plaguing them.
A French Constitution
Members of the Estates-General
representing the third estate outnumbered
representatives from both the first and
second estates combined. If each
representative were to be given one vote,
the third estate would have more votes and
would have been able to get their will
passed. In order to insure this did not
happen, King Louis XVI locked
representatives of the third estate out of the
meetings.
Outraged, they met at a nearby indoor tennis court where they gave themselves the
name of The National Assembly. Here, representatives took an oath that they would not
leave until they had written a new constitution for France. King Louis XVI worried about the form this constitution would take if it were to be
written strictly by members of the
third estate. He ordered
representatives from the first and
second estates to join the National
Assembly.
A Revolution Begins
As the National Assembly met to
write a new constitution, their
debates often spilled out into the
streets of Paris. Soon, everyone in
the capital was debating the social
ills of France, and what form a
new government should take.
Fearing the sentiment of
revolution that was quickly expanding throughout the capital, King Louis XVI placed
troops throughout the capital city as well as around the palace.
Seeing the troop buildup, many of the supporters of the National Assembly worried that
the King planned to use these
troops to put an end to the
National Assembly and to the
reforms they were making.
In order to defend the National
Assembly, rioters attacked the
Prison of Bastille where weapons
and ammunition were stored. In
this battle, a number of rioters
and soldiers were killed. The
rioters were able to gain control
of the prison and establish a new
radical government in Paris.
The Great Fear
From Bastille, violence spread throughout the French countryside. Rumors were spread
that the feudal lords had hired robbers to murder peasants. This rumor was not true, but
it flamed fear that led to the peasants rising up against their local lords.
Peasants broke into manor houses, killed many of the nobles, and took possession of
their properties. This wave of violence is known as the Great Fear. The Declaration of Rights
As violence continued to spread throughout the countryside, members of the third estate
demanded equality for all citizens of France. Members of the first and second estates
held out, refusing to grant equal rights and refusing to give up the special privileges that
they had enjoyed for so many centuries.
The continued escalation of violence finally convinced them
that they had no choice but to give up and submit to the
will of the much larger third estate. On August 4, 1789,
the National Assembly passed a number of important
reforms that abolished feudal dues and established taxes
on members of the first and second estates.
The National Assembly then turned their attention towards
creating a bill of rights for their people. This Declaration of
Rights included the freedom of speech, the freedom of the
press, and the freedom of religion. It also protected
citizens from being falsely arrested. This Declaration of
Rights remains in the French Constitution to this day.
Royal Family Flees France
In June of 1791, King Louis XVI, fearing for the lives of himself and his family,
attempted to escape into Austria. Marie Antoinette’s brother was the emperor of Austria.
They hoped that once in Austria they would be safe.
Their attempt failed, however, when
they were recognized along the road
by a passerby who called for soldiers
to have them arrested. Returned to
Paris, the king and his family had no
choice but to accept any demands put
upon them by the people and to
remain in their home as prisoners.
A Republic is Born
From 1792 through 1795, a National Convention met in Paris to further define the new
form the French Government would take. They decided to completely do away with the
monarchy and establish a republic. They also granted the right to vote to all men,
regardless of whether they could pay their taxes or not. King Louis XVI is Beheaded
In 1792, King Louis XVI was tried before the National Convention where he was found
guilty of having conspired against the liberty of the nation. In January of 1793, he was
put to death by the Guillotine.
News of the death of the king was received with great joy and celebration throughout
Paris and France. This was seen as a great moment and a guarantee that the revolution
would now go forward.
A Revolution in Trouble
Monarchs throughout Europe were concerned about the events that had taken place in
France. The natural order that had existed for centuries had been disrupted. They
worried that the same thing could happen in their
own nations, and that their own thrones, and
even their lives might be at risk.
To avoid the revolution spreading into their own
nations, these monarchs joined together to fight
against France. Soldiers were sent from Great
Britain, the Netherlands, Spain, and Sardinia to
fight against the revolutionaries in France.
This war made life very difficult in France. In
order to fight these large armies, the new French
government established a draft that called up all men between the ages of 18 and 45 to
fight for their liberties. This draft touched off a civil war in Western France where
royalists who had supported the king were angry that their sons had been forced to fight
in a way that they did not support.
Within the National Convention, fierce debate and a growing divide among different
political parties threatened to tear the young, fragile government apart.
The Reign of Terror
Seeing the turmoil that was both within and surrounding France, the leading political
party known as the Jacobins determined that they would crush any resistance within
their new nation. They established neighborhood watches that were intended to find
anyone who was not loyal to the new French government. These watches would turn in
suspected traitors, who would often be put to death.
This period of time is known as the Reign of Terror,
and lasted from July 1793 until July 1794, during which
approximately 17,000 individuals were executed.
Turmoil and Unrest in France:
A French Constitution:
A Revolution Begins:
The Great Fear:
The Declaration of Rights:
Royal Family Flees France:
A Republic is Born:
King Louis XVI is Beheaded:
A Revolution in Trouble:
The Reign of Terror:
Answers
GPT-4o mini
### Turmoil and Unrest in France
In the late 18th century, France was engulfed in a crisis marked by widespread discontent, unequal taxation, and political instability. King Louis XVI struggled with a massive national debt inherited from previous monarchs, which was exacerbated by his support of the American Revolution. As the financial situation worsened, tensions rose between the social estates, particularly when King Louis XVI proposed taxing the privileged first and second estates. This refusal to accept new taxes set the stage for increasing unrest within the populace.
### A French Constitution
In response to the growing demands for equality and representation, King Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General in 1789 for the first time in over a century. The third estate, representing the common people, sought to create a new constitution to limit the king's power. Locked out of the meetings, members of the third estate convened at a nearby tennis court, vowing to draft a constitution that addressed the rights of all citizens.
### A Revolution Begins
As members of the National Assembly worked to create a new constitution, revolutionary fervor spread throughout Paris. Fearing the king's intentions, particularly the influx of troops in Paris, supporters of the Assembly took up arms, leading to the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. This event marked the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution.
### The Great Fear
After the storming of the Bastille, violence ignited across the countryside. Rumors spread that feudal lords were conspiring against the peasants, leading to a wave of uprisings known as the Great Fear. Peasants attacked manor houses, killing nobles and reclaiming lands. The chaos forced the National Assembly to address grievances and pass reforms abolishing feudal privileges.
### The Declaration of Rights
Amid the upheaval, on August 4, 1789, the National Assembly adopted significant reforms, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document guaranteed fundamental freedoms such as speech, press, religion, and legal protections against wrongful arrest, becoming a cornerstone of French political and human rights.
### Royal Family Flees France
In June 1791, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempted to flee France to seek refuge in Austria, where Marie’s brother ruled. Their plan was thwarted when they were recognized and captured. The royal family was returned to Paris under guard, stripping them of any remaining power and solidifying the revolutionary sentiment.
### A Republic is Born
From 1792 to 1795, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and established the French Republic. They extended voting rights to all men, demonstrating a commitment to more inclusive governance. The radical changes signaled a break from traditional monarchical rule, as the revolutionaries sought to reshape French society.
### King Louis XVI is Beheaded
In 1792, Louis XVI faced trial for treason against the republic. Found guilty, he was executed via guillotine in January 1793. His death was celebrated by many as a triumph of the revolution, symbolizing the end of absolute monarchy in France and a victory for the republican cause.
### A Revolution in Trouble
The revolution's early successes were met with apprehension from monarchies across Europe, who feared a similar uprising in their nations. To counter the revolution, they formed coalitions to invade France, prompting the French government to implement a draft to build its military. This increased tension, leading to civil strife as not all citizens supported the revolutionary cause.
### The Reign of Terror
As internal and external pressures mounted, the Jacobins rose to power, spearheading the Reign of Terror from July 1793 to July 1794. During this period, the revolutionaries cracked down on perceived enemies of the state, leading to the execution of approximately 17,000 individuals suspected of disloyalty. This climate of fear and paranoia underscored the challenges the fledgling republic faced as it struggled to maintain control and unify its diverse factions.
In the late 18th century, France was engulfed in a crisis marked by widespread discontent, unequal taxation, and political instability. King Louis XVI struggled with a massive national debt inherited from previous monarchs, which was exacerbated by his support of the American Revolution. As the financial situation worsened, tensions rose between the social estates, particularly when King Louis XVI proposed taxing the privileged first and second estates. This refusal to accept new taxes set the stage for increasing unrest within the populace.
### A French Constitution
In response to the growing demands for equality and representation, King Louis XVI summoned the Estates-General in 1789 for the first time in over a century. The third estate, representing the common people, sought to create a new constitution to limit the king's power. Locked out of the meetings, members of the third estate convened at a nearby tennis court, vowing to draft a constitution that addressed the rights of all citizens.
### A Revolution Begins
As members of the National Assembly worked to create a new constitution, revolutionary fervor spread throughout Paris. Fearing the king's intentions, particularly the influx of troops in Paris, supporters of the Assembly took up arms, leading to the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789. This event marked the symbolic beginning of the French Revolution.
### The Great Fear
After the storming of the Bastille, violence ignited across the countryside. Rumors spread that feudal lords were conspiring against the peasants, leading to a wave of uprisings known as the Great Fear. Peasants attacked manor houses, killing nobles and reclaiming lands. The chaos forced the National Assembly to address grievances and pass reforms abolishing feudal privileges.
### The Declaration of Rights
Amid the upheaval, on August 4, 1789, the National Assembly adopted significant reforms, including the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. This document guaranteed fundamental freedoms such as speech, press, religion, and legal protections against wrongful arrest, becoming a cornerstone of French political and human rights.
### Royal Family Flees France
In June 1791, King Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette attempted to flee France to seek refuge in Austria, where Marie’s brother ruled. Their plan was thwarted when they were recognized and captured. The royal family was returned to Paris under guard, stripping them of any remaining power and solidifying the revolutionary sentiment.
### A Republic is Born
From 1792 to 1795, the National Convention abolished the monarchy and established the French Republic. They extended voting rights to all men, demonstrating a commitment to more inclusive governance. The radical changes signaled a break from traditional monarchical rule, as the revolutionaries sought to reshape French society.
### King Louis XVI is Beheaded
In 1792, Louis XVI faced trial for treason against the republic. Found guilty, he was executed via guillotine in January 1793. His death was celebrated by many as a triumph of the revolution, symbolizing the end of absolute monarchy in France and a victory for the republican cause.
### A Revolution in Trouble
The revolution's early successes were met with apprehension from monarchies across Europe, who feared a similar uprising in their nations. To counter the revolution, they formed coalitions to invade France, prompting the French government to implement a draft to build its military. This increased tension, leading to civil strife as not all citizens supported the revolutionary cause.
### The Reign of Terror
As internal and external pressures mounted, the Jacobins rose to power, spearheading the Reign of Terror from July 1793 to July 1794. During this period, the revolutionaries cracked down on perceived enemies of the state, leading to the execution of approximately 17,000 individuals suspected of disloyalty. This climate of fear and paranoia underscored the challenges the fledgling republic faced as it struggled to maintain control and unify its diverse factions.