French Revolution: Causes, Key Events, and Impact
The Social and Economic Crisis in 18th Century France
In the late 18th century, the Third Estate aspired to profound social reforms. The peasants opposed the heavy taxes and rents imposed on them by the feudal lords. The bourgeoisie wanted to end the privileges enjoyed by the nobility and the clergy.
Two Major Crises:
- Economic Crisis: The result of a series of poor harvests since 1760.
- Financial Crisis: Caused by the monarch’s lack of money.
The Revolution of 1789
In May 1789, the Estates General met in Versailles. The meeting was chaired by the monarch and made up of representatives of the nobility, clergy, and Third Estate. The representatives met in a pavilion and proclaimed themselves the National Assembly. They pledged to create a constitution that reflected the will of the majority of French people. On July 14, they stormed the Bastille. The revolution spread to the countryside, where nobles’ homes were burnt. Louis XVI was frightened by the situation, accepted the National Assembly, and France became a constitutional monarchy.
Phases of the Revolution
- Constitutional Monarchy (1789-1792): Driven by the moderate bourgeoisie.
- Social Republic (1792-1794): Led by the radical bourgeoisie.
- Conservative Republic (1794-1799): Despite the radicalisation of the French Revolution.
Development of the French Revolution
Constitutional Monarchy (1789-1792)
During this period, feudalism was abolished, and the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen was approved. The constitution was based on the separation of powers, national sovereignty, and legal equality. Once the constitution was approved, a Legislative Assembly was formed, along with a new army called the National Guard. To solve the financial crisis, Church properties were expropriated. A constitutional monarchy was established in 1791, but the royal family and privileged classes did not accept it. The Austrian army invaded France, and Louis XVI fled Paris.
The Social Republic (1792-1794)
The betrayal by the king and the military invasion led to a revolt by the common people. On August 10th, they stormed the Tuileries Palace.
The Girondin Convention
The more moderate bourgeoisie controlled the republic. A new assembly, the National Convention, was elected by universal male suffrage. Louis XVI and his wife were executed. In Europe, an absolutist coalition formed against France. Inside the country, counter-revolutionary revolts broke out, and royalist plots were organised.
The Jacobin Convention
In June 1793, the Jacobins endorsed the demands of the popular sectors and seized power. A new constitution was formed, recognising popular sovereignty and enacting the right to social equality. The executive was led by a Committee of Public Safety, which gave power to Robespierre.
Conservative Republic (1794-1799)
The moderate bourgeoisie took back control of the revolution, and it entered its third and final phase. The Directory was permanently unstable because it faced opposition from the aristocracy. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte organised a coup, and the Directory ended.
The Basis of Democracy
- People are citizens with rights.
- Popular sovereignty.
- The constitution established the rights and duties.
- Equality before the law.
- Organisation of the state administration into departments.
Political Life and the Press
The political clubs born during the Revolution were the precursors of political parties in democratic systems. Citizens defended similar ideas and proposals.
Economic Liberalisation
- Guilds, which regulated and hindered the growth of production, were abolished.
- Internal customs that charged taxes were removed.
- A new decimal system of measurement, the metric system, was introduced.