French Revolution (dec 5, 1789 – jan 1, 1799)

Description:

- Civil unrest against the estate system in France
> 1st and 2nd estates take advantage of the
3rd estate
 1st Estate - Clergy
* 0.4% of pop.
* Own 20% of land
* EXTREME disparity between rich
bishops and country priests
 2nd Estate – Nobility
* 1.2% of pop.
* Own 25 – 30% of land
 3rd Estate – Commoners
* 75 – 80% of pop.
* Bourgeoisie ~ 8% of pop.

Phases of the Revolution

1. Constitutional Monarchy (1789 – 1792)
> Declaration of the Rights of Man and the
Citizen (1789)
> Catholic Church subject to French
Civil Law (1790)
> Constitutional Monarchy (1791)
> Unequal taxes ended (1792)
2. Radical Republicanism (1792 – 1795)
> Government;
* Monarchy suspended (Louis XVI
executed 1793)
* Rule by National Convention
→ Abolish monarchy
→ Establish republic
* Committee of Public Safety assumes
power (A.K.A. Reign of Terror)
> War;
* France declares war on Austria
* France invaded by Austria and
Prussia
→ Mobilization of the masses
* Cultural/ Social Changes;
* Revolutionary calendar
* New state Cult of the Supreme Being
3. Military Consolidation (1795 – 1799)
> Robespierre and the other member of
“The Reign of Terror” guillotined
> Rule by Directory
> Napolean declares himself First Consul of
the Republic (1799)

Added to timeline:

Date: