French+Revolution

Build a complete history of the French Revolution.
 * Note:** Cite the source of all material. All plagiarized material will be deleted.

Prelude to French Revolution: The French were already in debt before America's War of Independence. Louis' decision was simply a jab at the British. By doing so, they dug a ditch they could not get out of, economically. Afterwards, Marie Antoinette, the queen, ordered a necklace of pearls to be made. The people mistook it, and thought she had **BOUGHT** the necklace. The women went on strike outside the palace about not having the money to buy food. Marie Antoinette said, famously, "Let them eat cake." This was ridiculous, because the peasantry couldn't even afford bread. French Revolution: It began with the storming of the Bastille, a military institution which also doubled as a sort of "Alcatraz." They barged in, stocking up on the arsenal inside. They also freed the prisoners inside the prison. (anthony chu 8/12)

The French Revolution was started by the intellectual and economic causes. In the 1700s, also known as the "Age of Reason," many people began voicing their own opinions in the belief of natural rights. An intellectual cause was started by Voltaire, also known as the "Father of Englightenment," preached against Christianity. Voltaire believed Christianity was garbage because it did not seem logical or reasonable. Because Voltaire believed human reasoning was the ultimate truth, Christianity just made no sense. The rebel in Voltaire led to his belief of the right to revolt. An economic cause was that France was bankrupt. Louis XVI's hate for the English was so strong that he weakened France's financial situation even more just to help destroy the English. Louis XVI helped the American colonies in the War of Independence against the English. The only way to pay off all the debt was to raise taxes for the noble, simply for the fact that the nobles had more money. On May 1, 1789, the Estates-General meeting is called for a tax reform. Then on June 17, 1789, the Third Estates separates from the Estates General. Fortunately on August 4, 1789, the National Assembly meets and decides on many of the reforms. For example, it was decided that all men should be treated equally, the government should protect the natural rights of the people, and the power and authority of the monarchy was limited. Also, France's first constitution was in progress. Unfortunately, with all the taxes and inflation, women could not afford the simplest things like bread. In October of 1789, a riot of women rampaged to the Palace of Versailles and stormed Louis XVI's home. Without shelter, Louis XVI goes to Paris. Four years later on April 20, 1792, France wars with Austria and France loses. Louis XVI is pronounced guilty of treason and is beheaded on January 21, 1793. Later on, Marie Antoinette is also beheaded on October 16, 1793. Another notorious figure during the 1700s was Maximilien Robespierre. He began the Committee of Public Safety. His goal was to eradicate the Republic of its enemies. The time of the dicatatorship of Robespierre is known as the Reign of Terror. If even one was suspected of being an enemy of the Republic, he or she was automatically killed. Throughout Robespierre's reign approximately 40,000 through 60,000 people were killed. Fortunately, Robespierre's reign ended when he was beheaded on July 28, 1794. -Jasmine Lee

The political and economic discontentment among the people of France provoked the peasants to rise in rebellion. As many people struggled to purchase the basic necessities for life, they felt that the king and queen at the time spent more than the nation could afford. Marie Antoinette and her husband, Louis XVI, satisfied their expensive taste by depleting what was left of the royal treasury. Not only did Louis use the money to lavish himself in luxury, but he also used the money to aid the Americans in their war against the British. However, as France lost more money, the taxes had to rise and only nobility could afford to pay the taxes. The disgruntled people called for a meeting of the Estates-General in hopes for reforms. As the people gathered, Louis made the unfortunate mistake of calling in Swiss mercenaries as a simple precaution. The people misread the mercenaries as an attack and eventually stormed the Bastille for weapons. The French citizens fought back against the mercenaries and were able to stop them. Eventually the citizens came to a compromise and were able to finally begin a constitution. However, the assembly had divided into two groups: Radicals and Conservatives. While politics were argued among citizens, it did not put the economic disaster on pause. Louis XVI had engaged himself in another war but this time with Austria. Louis did not help matters by fighting the war with a bankrupt nation. Soon, the citizens begin to take a stand and imprisoned Louis and his wife. Not long after, they were both beheaded, each on separate occasions. As one monarchy came to an end, another began. The reign of Maximilien Robespierre is commonly known as the reign of terror due to the numerous numbers of people killed. The people took action just as they did for Louis XVI and eventually beheaded Robespierre. In the citizen’s attempt to find a reasonable government, many revolutions were sparked which cost the lives of many. - Rosanna Chaoanw (July 3, 2007)

References:
World History Notes