Eleanor Finch
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a result of a combination of social, political, and economic factors that the old regime could not manage. The revolution was marked by radical measures, including the abolition of feudalism, state control over the Catholic Church, and a declaration of rights. One of the key questions of the revolution was whether France would become a republic or remain a monarchy, and if so, what form that monarchy would take. While some supported the continuation of the monarchy, others sought to establish a republic. In the early stages of the revolution, the National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate (the common people), declared its intention to provide France with a fair and liberal constitution. The National Constituent Assembly issued a decree on July 17, 1791, that King Louis XVI would remain king under a constitutional monarchy, but this decision was opposed by leaders of the republicans in France. The monarchy was formally ended by the National Convention on September 21, 1792, and France became a republic.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of the French Revolution | 1789-1792 |
| Type of Government Before the Revolution | Absolute Monarchy |
| Type of Government After the Revolution | Constitutional Monarchy, Republic |
| King | Louis XVI |
| King's Family | Marie Antoinette |
| King's Escape Attempts | Flight to Varennes |
| Revolutionary Groups | Jacobins, Girondins, Montagnards, Feuillants |
| Revolutionary Goals | Liberal Political Reforms, Declaration of Rights, Universal Male Suffrage |
| Revolutionary Events | Storming of the Bastille, Storming of the Tuileries Palace, Champs de Mars Massacre |
| Legislative Bodies | National Assembly, Legislative Assembly, National Convention |
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What You'll Learn
The French Revolution's radical nature
The French Revolution was a radical event in European history, profoundly shaping the political and social trajectory of France and Europe more broadly. The Revolution's radicalism was evident from its early stages, manifesting across various dimensions, from political and economic to social and cultural realms.
One of the defining characteristics of the French Revolution was its rejection of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic. The Revolution witnessed a series of pivotal events, including the Storming of the Bastille in July 1789, which marked a decisive break with the monarchy and the onset of radical reforms. The National Assembly, formed by the Third Estate (the common people), embodied the revolutionary spirit, declaring its intention to provide France with a fair and liberal constitution. This assembly abolished feudalism, asserted state control over the Catholic Church, and promulgated the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, enshrining universal rights and equality before the law.
The Revolution's radical nature was further exemplified by the emergence of political groups advocating for democratic ideals and challenging the monarchy. The Jacobins, a left-wing faction, played a significant role in pushing for direct democratic action and the overthrow of Louis XVI. The Paris Commune, the government of Paris during the Revolution, became insurrectionary, refusing to take orders from the central government. The sans-culottes, a radical group, concluded that the monarchy could not be trusted, leading to the invasion of the Tuileries Palace and the arrest of the king. These events set the Revolution on an even more radical path, culminating in the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of the French First Republic in 1792.
The French Revolution's radicalism extended beyond politics to the social and economic spheres. It brought about a revolution in government and social orders, challenging the privileges of the nobility and asserting the rights of common people. The Constitution of 1791, though short-lived, was revolutionary, abolishing the nobility and establishing equality under the law. The Revolution also had economic implications, with widespread social distress and financial crises contributing to the upheaval.
In conclusion, the French Revolution's radical nature was evident from its outset, marked by a rejection of the monarchy, the embrace of democratic ideals, and far-reaching social, economic, and political transformations. The Revolution's impact reshaped France and Europe, setting in motion a wave of change that would continue to unfold in the years to come.
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The National Assembly's formation
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, saw the French people overthrow their absolute monarchy and establish a republic based on the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity. The National Assembly, formed by the representatives of the Third Estate (the common people) of the Estates-General, was the first revolutionary government of this period.
The formation of the National Assembly was a significant event in the early days of the French Revolution. It came about due to the turmoil within the Estates-General, which had been called to address France's financial crisis. The three estates—the clergy, the nobility, and the commoners—could not agree on how to vote, and the meeting failed. Angered by the inaction of the Estates-General and dissatisfied with their position in French society, the representatives of the Third Estate broke away and formed the National Assembly. This group took the Tennis Court Oath, pledging to remain united until a constitution for the kingdom was established. Initially composed mainly of members of the Third Estate, the Assembly soon gained support from some clergy and nobility as discontent with the monarchy of Louis XVI grew.
On June 20, 1789, the members of the French Estates-General for the Third Estate took an oath, vowing not to separate until a constitution was established. This was a pivotal event, as it signified the first time that French citizens formally opposed Louis XVI. The Assembly renamed itself the National Constituent Assembly on July 9, 1789, and became the governing body and constitution drafter. The National Constituent Assembly is known for passing the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen in August 1789, a fundamental document in the history of the French Revolution and human and civil rights. This declaration directly challenged the authority of Louis XVI by setting out a series of individual rights protected by law.
The National Constituent Assembly lasted until September 30, 1791, when it dissolved itself, passing power to the newly created Legislative Assembly. The National Assembly's formation and its subsequent actions played a crucial role in shaping the course of the French Revolution and transforming the political landscape of France.
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The Declaration of Rights
The Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, also referred to as the Declaration of Rights of Man and Citizen, was a fundamental document of the French Revolution and the history of human and civil rights. It was passed by France's National Constituent Assembly in August 1789 and ratified on 5 October by King Louis XVI. The Declaration set out the "natural and inalienable" rights of freedom, ownership, security, and resistance to oppression. It recognised equality before the law and the justice system and affirmed the principle of separation of powers.
The Declaration was influenced by the doctrine of natural rights, stating that the rights of man are universal and inalienable. It was also shaped by the Enlightenment, with contributions from major thinkers such as Montesquieu, who urged the separation of powers, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who wrote about the "general will", the concept that the state represents the general will of the citizens. The Declaration also drew from foreign documents such as the Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776) and the manifestos of the Dutch Patriot movement of the 1780s.
The Declaration was created as a first step toward writing a constitution for France. Twenty drafts were submitted, which were combined into a single document by a subcommittee. The final draft, with 17 articles, was voted on between 20 and 26 August 1789. It served as a preamble to the French Constitution of 1791, and its principles inspired the French Revolution.
The Declaration provided that all "men are born and remain free and equal in rights", with rights to liberty, property, safety, and resistance to oppression. It also stated that all citizens were equal before the law and had the right to participate in legislation directly or indirectly. Freedom of religion and freedom of speech were also safeguarded, within the bounds of public "order" and "law".
The Declaration's scope and its claim to be based on fundamental principles that are universally applicable set it apart from similar documents of its time. It is considered a significant charter of human liberties and a key moment in the history of human and civil rights.
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The King's attempted escape
The French Revolution (1789-1799) witnessed a significant event during the night of 20–21 June 1791, when the French royal family, comprising King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and their children, attempted to flee Paris in what came to be known as the 'Flight to Varennes'. This escape attempt was prompted by the urging of some of the King's entourage, who wished for him to avoid having to approve a new constitution. The King's brothers, who had already fled France, along with aristocrats such as the Baron de Breteuil and the Marquis de Bouillé, encouraged him to join them in Austria, from where they could plan a military invasion to restore the old regime. Initially, Louis XVI resisted such entreaties, claiming that he should remain with his people and acknowledging that some of the changes were beneficial.
However, as the Constituent Assembly moved closer to completing the constitution, the King eventually agreed to a secret plan to escape in the middle of the night. The royal family, along with loyal members of their retinue, disguised themselves and set out on their journey. The king even chatted with peasants while horses were being changed at Fromentières, and the queen gave silver dishes to a local official at Chaintrix. Despite these precautions, the royal family's escape attempt was thwarted due to several factors, including slow progression, time miscalculations, lack of secrecy, and the need for coach repairs.
The turning point came when Jean-Baptiste Drouet, the postmaster of Sainte-Menehould, recognised the King, likely from his portrait on an assignat. The royal family was then arrested in the town of Varennes-en-Argonne, just 50 km from their ultimate destination, the fortified royalist citadel of Montmédy. The failure of the King's escape attempt alarmed European monarchs, who feared that revolutionary fervour would spread beyond France. Upon their return to Paris, the royal family was met by a silent, disrespectful crowd, and the abolition of the monarchy and the establishment of a republic became a more realistic possibility.
The National Assembly agreed to allow Louis XVI to remain as king under a constitutional monarchy, but this decision was opposed by various factions, including the Cordeliers and the Jacobins, leading to the violent Champ de Mars Massacre on 17 July 1791. The 'Flight to Varennes' marked a pivotal moment in the French Revolution, increasing public distrust of the monarchy and bringing the idea of republicanism into the mainstream revolutionary conversation.
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The rise of the French Republic
The French Revolution, which began in 1789, was a result of social, political, and economic factors that the ancien régime ("old regime") failed to manage. The French people were unhappy with the monarchy due to rising bread prices, and this unrest led to the convocation of the Estates General in May 1789, its first meeting since 1614. The representatives of the Third Estate, the common people, broke away and formed the National Assembly in June, declaring themselves the nation and attacking the monarchy's political basis.
The National Assembly aimed to provide France with a fair and liberal constitution, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was published in August 1789. The Assembly also abolished feudalism, took control of the Catholic Church, and made other radical changes. The next few years were marked by a struggle for political control, with King Louis XVI attempting to flee the country in 1791, further discrediting the monarchy.
On 3 September 1791, the National Constituent Assembly forced King Louis XVI to accept the French Constitution of 1791, establishing a constitutional monarchy. However, this did not satisfy those seeking more radical change, and the monarchy was dealt a further blow on 10 August 1792, when the Tuileries Palace was stormed, and the royal family was arrested and deposed. The Legislative Assembly suspended the constitutional monarchy, and the National Convention, elected under universal male suffrage, abolished the monarchy altogether on 21 September 1792, proclaiming a republic. This ended 203 years of Bourbon rule in France, and the country became the French First Republic, marking a significant shift in the country's history and setting the stage for further political and social transformations.
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Frequently asked questions
The French Revolution was a period of political, social, and economic upheaval in France from 1789 to 1799. It ended centuries of monarchical rule and established a republic.
The French Revolution was caused by a combination of social, political, and economic factors. These included financial crises, widespread social distress, and the failure of the Ancien Régime to address these issues.
The Third Estate, representing the common people, played a crucial role in the French Revolution. They declared themselves as the National Assembly in 1789, asserting their political sovereignty and challenging the political basis of the monarchy.
The French Revolution led to the end of monarchical rule in France. King Louis XVI was forced to accept the Constitution of 1791, establishing a constitutional monarchy. However, the monarchy was later abolished, and Louis XVI was executed in 1793.
The French Revolution resulted in the establishment of the French First Republic in 1792. It brought about significant political, social, and economic changes, including the abolition of the nobility, universal male suffrage, and the creation of a new state ideology.
