French Revolution

• The first two estates enjoyed most of the wealth and privileges of France
• During the 1780s, the Diamond Necklace Affair scandal occurred, damaging the image of the monarchy
• Necker published the Compte Rendu, which did not include the extraordinary expenses, making it seem like France was in a great financial state
• Louis XVI succeeded Louis XV and was seen as a timid individual who was easily swayed by those around him
• Louis XV ruled during the Enlightenment phase and enforced moderate censorship laws over the growing intellectual movement
• Calonne's reforms were not well received by the Assembly of Notables, leading to his dismissal
• Jacques Necker was brought back as the finance minister during the Summer of 1789 to keep France afloat
• Abbé Sieyès wrote a pamphlet, "What is the Third Estate?" advocating for the Third Estate to take over the rule of France
• When the Estates General assembled in May 1789, the Third Estate was doubled in representation
• King Louis XVI dismissed the soldiers in Paris and wore a tricolor cockade, symbolizing the growing movement
• Louis XIV (The Sun King) ruled for 72 years and was succeeded by his great-grandson Louis XV (Louis the Beloved)
• The calling of an Estates General was demanded as the only solution to the problems facing the kingdom
• Jacques Necker, a banker from Switzerland, was appointed to manage the finances of the kingdom after Turgot
• Necker's popularity led him to demand a spot on the royal council, but he was convinced to resign
• Louis XV faced resistance from the Paris Parlement, a collection of noble judges, who feared he was working against them to strengthen his powers
• The Third Estate demanded to meet as one body, leading to the Dissolving of the Estates General and the formation of the National Assembly
• Representatives of the Third Estate wanted reform in the representation of the Estates General to prevent domination by the First and Second Estates
• With growing tension, Louis XVI was forced to give in to the demands of the Assembly, changing the voting system to be done by head
• The Storming of the Bastille occurred as the people feared the king was planning to use military force against the National Assembly
• Marquis de Lafayette was assigned as commander of the National Guard after the Storming of the Bastille
• Jacques Necker was recalled back as Finance Minister
• The news of the insurrection in Paris spread throughout the countryside of France, leading to the Great Fear
• The August Decrees brought about the slogan “Liberty, Equality, Fraternity”
• Peasants burned the paperwork to free themselves from previously owed dues
• The Duke of Brunswick issued the Brunswick Manifesto threatening Paris if the royal family was harmed
• France became a republic after the arrest of King Louis XVI and the suspension of the monarchy
• King Louis XVI supported the war hoping it would result in France losing and returning him to power
• Monarchists wanted to keep the reign of Louis XVI
• Town militias were set up to protect the town from bandits during the Great Fear
• Marquis de Lafayette was assigned as commander of the National Guard
• During the Great Fear, peasants stormed local manors of the nobility to find deeds, debt forms, and hoarded food
• These actions were popular moves
• Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen


  Established and clarified the rights of French citizens
• Women, servants, and males under the age of 25 were considered passive citizens
• Jacobins vs. Girondins debated how far France should push the republic
• The Jacobins believed war would hinder the revolution in France
• The Paris Commune claimed the king & queen were working with the Austrians, leading to the Storming of the Tuileries
• The early battles of the First Coalition War did not go well for the French army
• The Reign of Terror
• The Battle of Fleurus