Understanding the French Revolution: Key Events and Eras
The French Revolution: Causes and Context
The French Revolution was a dramatic period of change that included the fall of a government and the transformation of the social and economic order in France. France became bankrupt because privileged people didn’t pay taxes, and the royal family spent large amounts of money on palaces and luxury goods. In addition, the French state participated in costly military conflicts, such as the American War of Independence. To solve the national bankruptcy, King Louis XVI’s ministers suggested increasing taxes.
Key Phases of the French Revolution
The National Assembly (1789)
The Third Estate proposed a voting system in which each person would have an individual vote. The King refused, and in response, they declared themselves the representatives of the nation. They formed a National Assembly and demanded a constitution.
The Constituent Assembly (1789-1791)
The King eventually agreed to the Third Estate’s demands. A new Constituent Assembly was elected to write a constitution. Protesters began to riot in Paris, and on 14 July 1789, they attacked the Bastille, a symbol of royal authority. In reaction to the unrest, the Assembly implemented significant legal reforms: they abolished feudal rights and approved the Declaration of the Rights of the Man and of the Citizen. This declaration stated that all men are born free and equal in their rights, and that liberty consists of the freedom to do anything which doesn’t harm other people.
The Legislative Assembly (1791-1792)
A new Legislative Assembly was elected to implement the necessary legal changes. Two main political groups emerged:
- Girondins: Believed in the Revolution but primarily represented the interests of the bourgeoisie (middle class). They favored liberal economic policies that benefited the middle class and wanted to maintain limited suffrage. Their political ideas were generally more moderate.
- Jacobins: Also believed in the Revolution, but their political ideas were more radical. They sought to abolish the monarchy, put the King on trial, expand suffrage, and control price rises to help the workers. They gained significant support from the Parisian laborers, known as the sans-culottes.
Louis XVI opposed the reforms of the Legislative Assembly and sought support from Austria. In response, the Assembly imprisoned the King, abolished the monarchy, and declared France a republic.
The National Convention (1792-1795)
After the election of a new assembly, known as the National Convention, Louis XVI was accused of treason and subsequently executed. Several European countries declared war on France to prevent the Revolution from spreading. Under the leadership of Robespierre, the Jacobins took control of the government and imposed a dictatorship known as The Terror. They attempted to coordinate the European war effort while also dealing with the activities of counter-revolutionaries at home.
The Directory and The Consulate (1795-1804)
By 1795, France’s middle class had gained control of the country. To stop the violence and executions, they established The Directory, a more conservative government composed of five members. By 1799, France was at war with other European powers, and radical revolutionaries sought to regain control. In response, General Napoleon Bonaparte organized a military coup and established a new form of government called The Consulate. This was a group of three leaders known as Consuls, which included Napoleon himself as Head of State and First Consul.